garage - body shop

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slug_guts
slug_guts

i wondered if and what the difference between a garage and a bodyshop is (the garage i am thinking of is one where you can have your car repaired, not one where you just park your car).

the way i understand the difference is that in a garage you can have parts of your car repaired or replaced, whereas in a bodshop something is done to the entire lets call it outer shell of the car, eg it is spray painted.

perhaps there is a difference in meaning (and if so what), but the difference is not so much observed in spoken english?

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kerouac2
kerouac2

I would imagine that a body shop can make unnecessary modifications to a car (customizing, painting...) while most garages just do repairs.

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nutraxfornerves
nutraxfornerves

Body shop = panel beater.

A body shop basically deals with the exterior of the car.

but the difference is not so much observed in spoken english?

Very much observed, in the US at least. If I am concerned about how my car is functioning, I take it to a garage.

If it has been smashed in an accident, got a dent for some reason, or if I want it repainted, I go to the body shop.

Nutrax
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penguinmac
penguinmac

Same as #2 in Australia.

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misterbee
misterbee

slug_guts, I think your understanding is correct, but to be more specific, I'd call a place that repairs car engines, brakes, etc. an auto mechanic shop/garage.

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texastea
texastea

As #2 says. Another way to think of it is that a garage will often do many of the same things that a body-shop does, but a body-shop will not offer the services provided by a garage (e.g., fixing your carburetor).

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tonyk
tonyk

The skills and tools needed to repair damage to the outer covering (the bodywork) are completely different from those required to fix mechanical faults. It's like hairdressers vs doctors.

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texastea
texastea

Tony, I agree completely. However, in my town you can find businesses ("garages") that offer both services under one roof.

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kerouac2
kerouac2

Yes, obviously a lot of places can do both. But I am unsure of what term to which they refer to themselves.

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onlymark
onlymark

Surely a body shop that doesn't do repairs would call itself a body shop, whereas a garage that may do bodywork would still call itself a garage.

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