Will AI replace Automotive Body and Related Repairers?

AI can do 7% of the work Automotive Body and Related Repairers do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 2 of them. Robots can technically handle 12 physical tasks. 11 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next2 · 7% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.6% of time
  • Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of vehicles.1% of time

Robots can technically do this12 · 48% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings11% of time
  • Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.Robots: purpose built settings10% of time
  • Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.Robots: purpose built settings6% of time
  • Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
  • Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time
  • Measure and mark vinyl material and cut material to size for roof installation, using rules, straightedges, and hand shears.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time

Still needs a person11 · 44% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.11% of time
  • Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.6% of time
  • Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.6% of time
  • Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.5% of time
  • Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.5% of time
  • Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.2% of time
  • Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.2% of time
  • Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.2% of time
  • Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.1% of time
  • Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand.1% of time
  • Replace damaged glass on vehicles.1% of time

Your week is not the average

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What this means

Little of this work suits AI. The bigger change here is robots: today's robots can technically do 48% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 2 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 12 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 11 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers0%Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics11%Rail Car Repairers7%Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians9%Bicycle Repairers5%Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians12%

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