The short answer
Choosing an independent body shop does not by itself void your Kia or Hyundai factory warranty. A federal law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, makes it illegal for a manufacturer or dealer to void a warranty or deny coverage just because someone other than the dealer did the work. The Federal Trade Commission has reminded consumers of this many times.
The exception: if a repair is done badly and that bad repair causes a problem, the manufacturer may deny coverage for that specific problem. That is why the quality of the shop matters.
Collision damage is not a warranty repair
A factory warranty covers defects in materials and factory workmanship. It does not cover damage from an accident, theft or vandalism. That is paid by you or your auto insurance — and you can choose any licensed shop for it. In California, your insurer cannot require a specific shop (Insurance Code Section 758.5).
Kia and Hyundai warranty terms (U.S.)
| Kia | Hyundai | |
| Basic / New vehicle limited | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Powertrain (original owner) | 10 yr / 100,000 mi | 10 yr / 100,000 mi |
| Anti-perforation (rust-through) | 5 yr / 100,000 mi | 7 yr / unlimited mi |
Terms from Kia and Hyundai U.S. warranty pages. Check your own warranty booklet — terms can differ by model year.
How to protect your warranty after a body repair
- Use a licensed shop. In California, check the shop's Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) license. Ours is #313281.
- Get an itemized written estimate that shows which parts are OEM, aftermarket or recycled.
- Keep the final invoice and photos of the repair.
- Ask about the shop's own warranty. We offer a limited lifetime warranty on our work; terms depend on the repair.