Definition of body shop

The term "body shop" originated in the automotive industry in the mid-20th century when car owners began getting their vehicles repaired after accidents. Initially, these repairs were done by the car manufacturers' own service centers, known as "jig shops." However, as the demand for car repairs increased, independent repair shops began to emerge, offering faster and more affordable services. These independent repair shops specialized in repairing the outside "body" of the car, as opposed to the engine or other internal parts. As a result, they came to be known as "body shops," a name that stuck even as the scope of repairs expanded to include interiors and other non-structural elements. Today, "body shop" is a well-established term used across the automotive industry, both by car owners and industry professionals.