This was the only nearby place the insurance would pay for after my brand-new hatchback got plowed by a cab driver. And man, I had some strange experiences with these guys. I dropped the car off with a real character: he made a huge deal opening and closing the non-busted door and telling me how the other door would sound just like it when he got done with it. I dug the hilariously unnecessary saltiness of his language during this routine. Then another mechanic gave me a lift to the train in my own busted ride. I thought it was pretty nice of them. They're also really prickly about what kind of payment they'll accept. It better be a signed-over insurance company check, or you can expect some guff. Receiving guff from burly dudes is kind of a known risk when auto repair is afoot, but it's still most unwelcome. They did offer to give me a ride all the way back to Hyde Park to pick up the right sort of check after I brought the wrong kind, though. Something really sketched me out when I picked the car up. Generally it looked pretty good, but there was still a big scuff on the bumper. When I told them about it the mechanics gave each other some hand signals and told me they would repaint it while I waited there. Ten minutes later it looked all right, but they clearly didn't paint it in that amount of time! A friend who does body work told me they probably just did a blend. That's fine, but why would they screw around with me like that? Bah. read more

My dream auto body shop? Organized. Polite, honest staff. No hassle. I'd like to give Elar's 2.5 stars. Elar's is weirdly Jeckyll-and-Hyde when it comes to these qualities. Now, I would never have brought my car here if other options had been available to me. After a minor car accident, this was the most convenient location to which I could bring my car to assess the damage and do the repairs. My options were limited - those of you with experience with thing kind of thing know that you basically have to go wherever the insurance company of the person who hits your car (or your own insurance company, for that matter) tells you. When the time finally came to set up an appointment to get my front bumper repaired, I had one hell of time doing it. The owner (or manager?) was incredibly rude, telling me he hadn't received any information from the insurance company, that I should call back later, etc etc. Now all of this information was fine to convey, it was just that he was extraordinarily condescending and rude. After calling the insurance company, I called back. More rudeness - though by this time they had almost certainly received the necessary info. I finally lost my patience and informed him that he needed to stop being rude. He seemed a little put off, at which point, we set up an appointment for the car. What makes all this really weird is that the guy I dealt with at the shop a few days later - I think it really might have been the same guy - was one of the nicest people ever. Bent over backwards nice, as in, had one of his employees drive me to the el stop so that I didn't need to walk in the cold to get to it and take the train home. Left me a really nice message the following day that my car had been fixed sooner than expected. Was just as nice again in person. So....to sum up? When I need repairs again, I *might* come back here, depending on how they act. But I feel pretty ambivalent about the place. Take that as you will. read more

I am so very pleased with the repair work done at Elar. They took a personal interest in my situation which involved dealing with Apollo Insurance to make sure that I had no out-of-pocket expense. My car looks better than new, and I was particularly impressed with Al's honesty and integrity. Great job guys! read more

Incorrectly wired the door they replaced. Terrible attitude even after i reported the problem. Outdated knowledge of new car functions.

Yes, it is "old school", but I've always had great experiences with these guys. Al, Rich, Martin and the rest of the guys have always been nothing but nice and no nonsense. Al is always fair with pricing and the guys ALWAYS do a great job. I've been going here for years. I've brought a totaled convertible, a BMW, and 3 SUV's over the years for several things. A great job EVERY time!! I would always recommend them, and do whenever I get the chance. read more

Elar auto body has the best customer service I've ever seen. I stopped in for a small repair and they treated me with like a king. They actually made my day with their kindness. read more

After my car accident it was extremely difficult to even look at my Nissan Maxima with severe rear end damage I had little to no hope when I originally brought my car into the shop...Rich and Elar were such a breathe of fresh air...they went into it with a plan and made sure things were done right! They gave me my car back a day before my birthday and to me the way that it looks and runs was truly the best bday gift I received...thank you again for everything guys great job read more

Very rude on the phone. Made a derogatory comment relating rust on a car to cancer. Based on this alone would not recommend this business.

I had my 2010 Lincoln MKT sent here, per Delphi Insurance recommendations, after two cases of a hit and run. Mind you my car was in mint condition prior to the hits, and when we were called for pickup, we inspected the car as we were dropping 1,000 cash for two separate claims and two checks issued my the insurance co. and in return got cheated on parts and sloppy work. If you want to get cheated on parts, and want a hand paint job done by children then this is the place to go. My car had 3 different shades of black and had visible bumps. The so called new parts were chipped and scratched. What was suppose to be replaced was never replaced but reconditioned instead in a sloppy haphazard manner. My bumper that was suppose to be replaced, was reconditioned and totally detached. Oh! and they tried to return my car filthy as all hell to keep me from seeing the obvious. I have never been so insulted in my life. When my husband returned to take pictures after leaving the car there for insurance purposes. Rich made it a point to tell him that he had "JUST" ordered the bumper, seriously "WTF!" Six weeks after being in the shop?!? and just after I was suppose to pick it up. I hate to think, how many people were cheated on. What's worse is they were recommended per the insurance co. What a scam! Cheap...cheap, no pride labor. over six weeks without my car? nothing done to it, and this man...thought I was I was going to drop 5 stacks on him. He wanted to maximize his profits at my expense. I hope this review helps, and spares you the headache....I could go on, and on....but it sickens me to my stomach to think that my car is in their hands and all I can do is wait and hope that all turns well as the insurance refuses to get it out of there. read more

Consumer beware this is actually the worst place you can take your car for auto repairs what they did to my niece is Unthinkable the insurance company paid for new parts to the tune of $5,000 on a Lincoln MKT they decided to get slick and recondition the old parts and put them on to her car and passed them off as new parts if it wasn't because I have 31 years of Automotive experience I would have never or she would have never known the difference but I did I caught it and called them on it and they didn't know what to say bottom line is I made them get the new parts and give my niece the repair job that her insurance company paid for never ever again will I go to ER Auto Repair the biggest Crooks in the city of Chicago read more

Elar really is a top notch body shop. Is it old school? Sure it is, but they were fixing cars before I was born and I know my Dad used to take his cars there when I was a kid. The owner Al is one of the coolest old school Chicago guys I know and I take my cars there if I ever have ANY issues whatsoever. They always get it done quick and right. I'm glad my insurance company lets me take my car wherever I want because I'm definitely going to Elar. read more

I have been bringing my cars in to Elar for over 10 years now and have always had great experiences doing business with them. I also know several people who happily use Elar as well. The guys in the shop are super friendly and do awesome and quick work. The owner Al is wonderful to work with as well. He's always been beyond fair with pricing and also very thorough in explaining the work that would be done. Every time I pick up my vehicle, I'm super thrilled! I would never go anywhere else and I always recommend them. :) read more

very bad body shop. Attendant service attitude is poor。My car has not been repaired for a month。So bad body shop. So bad body shop. Sosososososososo bad. read more

After having my car serviced at Elar's I would never take my cars any where else. The service is friendly, efficient and thorough and the cost is competitive. The owner Al and his employees are great to work with and make the experience as painless as possible. They repair the car as if it were their own car. I felt like I was part of the family. I highly recommend Elar Auto Rebuilders. read more

OMG this is the worst service body shop I have ever dealt with or even know about. My car was there because I was hit, so it was an insurance thing. They gave an estimate to the ins co of only the outside damage. They refuse to go under the hood until I signed a settlement with the ins comp stating I accept the preliminary payment as a full settlement. They are clearly in with this ratchett ins comp. So then I tell them as soon as I get ins co to amend this clause, I will sign it apparently giving then the ok to go under the hood because thats the real damage. Then they say just come get my car they dont even want to work on it. So I work it out with the ins comp but tell them Elar want me to come get my car, They call him he changes his mind. Next day he says he again dont want to do the work because I had previous damage in the bumper and he doesnt want to do anybody elses work, I have to pay more. Why didnt they say that in the first place and the had my car for 2 weeks. I had to have it towed to another shop. What a bummer. read more