Tesla-Certified Collision Repair
Murray's CARSTAR is a Tesla Approved Collision Center using genuine Tesla OEM parts on every certified Tesla repair, at our Des Moines shop, for drivers throughout the Puget Sound. Free estimates are written at Des Moines.
Tesla Repair Requires More Than a Standard Body Shop
A collision-damaged Tesla isn't just a car with a different badge on the trunk. Teslas carry a high-voltage battery pack integrated into the vehicle's structure, use aluminum and high-strength steel in ways that differ from traditional gas vehicles, and rely on a dense network of cameras and driver-assistance sensors to keep safety systems working. Repairing one correctly means following Tesla's specific procedures, not general collision-repair habits.
High-Voltage Battery Safety
Teslas store hundreds of volts in a battery pack that must be de-energized and handled using manufacturer-specified lockout procedures before any structural or body work begins.
Aluminum & High-Strength Steel
Tesla bodies combine aluminum with advanced high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel throughout the structure. Restoring them to factory strength takes specific welding, riveting, and adhesive-bonding techniques performed to Tesla's OEM procedures, not the methods used on a conventional steel car.
Specialized Tooling & PPE
Technicians working near a battery pack use dedicated lift points, insulated tools, and personal protective equipment rated for high-voltage systems, on top of standard collision-repair equipment.
Why OEM Parts Matter Even More on a Tesla
Using OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts and following the manufacturer's exact repair procedure matters on any vehicle, but it matters more on a Tesla. The structure around the battery enclosure is engineered to manage crash energy in a very specific way to protect the pack. A non-OEM part or a shortcut in the repair procedure in that area can compromise how the vehicle performs in a future collision. Teslas also depend on tight software and sensor compatibility between components, so a part that isn't built and calibrated to the manufacturer's specification can affect everything from battery management to how ADAS cameras and radar communicate with the rest of the vehicle. As a Tesla Approved Collision Center, we can get about 90% of Tesla parts by the next day, though some parts are VIN-specific to your exact vehicle and may take longer to source.
Minor Cosmetic Repairs
3–5 business days
Moderate Panel or Bumper Work
5–10 business days
Major Structural / Battery-Involved Repairs
2–4 weeks
Overall, Tesla collision repair at Murray's CARSTAR typically takes 7–10 business days depending on the extent of the damage. Once we disassemble your vehicle and confirm the full scope of repairs, we'll give you an accurate timeline.
What Repair Actually Involves on Your Tesla
The five current Teslas are built differently enough that the repair decisions genuinely diverge. A rear impact on a Model Y meets a single large casting; the same impact on a Model 3 meets a welded assembly. A Model S is aluminum throughout. A Model X adds a door system with its own calibration procedure. A Cybertruck has no paint on it at all, so the usual repair, prime and blend does not exist. Each page below covers what we see most on that model and what a correct repair takes.
Model 3
A mix of aluminum and ultra-high-strength steel, and the car we see most. Rear bumper and quarter panel work, plus camera recalibration.
Model 3 collision repair →Model Y
Shares the Model 3 platform, but much of the rear underbody is one aluminum casting, which changes what structural damage means.
Model Y collision repair →Model S
An aluminum body, bonded and riveted rather than welded throughout, worked with separated tooling to prevent corrosion later.
Model S collision repair →Model X
Aluminum body plus falcon wing doors, which carry their own sensors and a documented alignment and calibration procedure.
Model X collision repair →Cybertruck
A bare stainless exoskeleton. Nothing hides a low spot, so damaged panels are replaced and fitted rather than filled and painted.
Cybertruck collision repair →Not Sure Which Applies?
Send photos for a free estimate and we will tell you what your specific repair involves, including when the damage is more cosmetic than structural.
Talk to an estimator →Working With Your Insurance on a Tesla Claim
Tesla repairs are billed the same way as any other collision claim, and Washington law gives you the right to choose your own repair shop regardless of which insurer is involved. We work with every insurance carrier and coordinate your claim directly. See our Insurance page for how we handle claims and billing.
Tesla Repair FAQ
Only a certified shop can repair a Tesla safely and correctly. Tesla's aluminum body, high-voltage battery, and driver-assist sensors demand specialized certification, tools, and calibration. Murray's CARSTAR is a Tesla Approved Collision Center using genuine Tesla OEM parts on every Tesla repair.
A Tesla-certified body shop, officially called a Tesla Approved Collision Center, is a repair facility specifically approved by Tesla, using Tesla OEM parts and manufacturer-specified equipment and procedures to restore vehicles to original structural and safety standards. It matters because Tesla repairs involve specialized parts, high-voltage systems, and ADAS calibration, so choosing a certified shop like Murray's CARSTAR keeps your Tesla to factory spec.
Non-certified collision repairs don't automatically void your entire Tesla warranty, but Tesla warns that third-party parts, fasteners, or chemicals can void coverage on the components repaired. That's why Tesla requires its Approved Collision Centers to use Tesla OEM parts and Tesla-specified repair procedures, and Murray's CARSTAR's contract with Tesla requires us to use Tesla OEM parts exclusively.
ADAS calibration realigns your Tesla's cameras and sensors (the ones behind Autopilot, automatic braking, and lane-keeping) to exact factory angles. Any collision, bumper repair, or windshield replacement can throw them off by fractions of a degree, enough to misread lane lines or following distance. Tesla requires recalibration after structural or glass work, and we make sure it's completed on every certified repair.
Tesla repair requires safely handling high-voltage battery systems, following Tesla-approved structural repair methods for aluminum and multi-material body panels, and recalibrating ADAS components like the cameras behind Tesla Vision, plus radar or ultrasonic parking sensors on earlier models. These are steps a standard gas-car repair doesn't involve. Because of this, Tesla requires repairs at certified shops like Murray's CARSTAR, ensuring your vehicle is restored to factory safety and performance standards, not just cosmetically repaired.
Tesla collision repair at Murray's CARSTAR typically takes between 7 and 10 business days, depending on the extent of the damage. Minor cosmetic repairs often take 3–5 business days. Moderate panel or bumper work generally runs 5–10 business days. Major structural repairs or those involving high-voltage battery systems can take 2–4 weeks. As a Tesla Approved Collision Center, we receive about 90% of Tesla parts by next day, but some components are VIN-specific and may require additional sourcing time.
Yes. Tesla vehicles use precision-fitted aluminum panels, proprietary paint systems, and integrated sensors that standard body shops aren't trained or equipped to handle correctly. A small dent near a camera housing, for example, can affect Autopilot calibration if the repair isn't done properly. Our technicians are trained specifically on Tesla's repair standards, so even minor work is done to factory spec, which protects your warranty, your sensors, and your vehicle's resale value.
Yes. Gas-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs, along with non-Tesla EVs, are repaired at our Burien facility by Murray's Collision Group, using the same OEM-approved procedures, computerized measuring equipment, and limited lifetime warranty. Your free estimate is written at our Des Moines shop no matter what you drive, so walk in during business hours or call ahead and schedule, whichever is easier. Burien isn't set up for walk-ins, so we'll arrange your drop-off there with you over the phone.
Verify Our Certifications Independently
Our Tesla Approved Collision Center status isn't just a claim on this page; it's listed directly by Tesla. Search Tesla's directory below and you'll find Murray's CARSTAR Collision, Des Moines, WA.
Tesla's Collision Center Directory
Search Tesla's own list of Approved Collision Centers nationwide.
Search Tesla's Directory