A “lifetime warranty” can sound like one broad promise, but the written terms matter more than the label. Imperial Auto Body of DC divides coverage by type of work, limits who may rely on it, and excludes some costs and damage. For a driver considering collision repair in Washington, the practical task is to match a concern—such as peeling paint or a part defect—to the clause that addresses it, rather than assume every future problem is covered.
“Lifetime” is limited to the named owner and specified work
Imperial Auto Body describes its policy as a limited warranty on repairs performed by the shop. It applies only while the person named on the original work order owns the vehicle, and the document calls it a labor-only, five-part warranty. That framing is important: “lifetime” refers to the stated relationship between the covered work, the named owner, and that vehicle. The warranty says it is not transferable, so a later owner should not assume the remaining term follows the car.
Before authorizing a repair, keep the original work order and warranty together. They identify the owner to whom the warranty is granted and the repair it concerns. If a concern arises later, those details help distinguish a claim about the shop’s covered work from a new incident, ordinary wear, or a component outside the written terms.
Metalwork and paint have different defect lists
The metalwork clause provides a lifetime limited warranty for welding and materials used in collision repair against cracking, flaking, pitting, or deterioration. Rust repairs are excluded, and the shop reserves the choice to repair and repaint qualifying metalwork. The clause also excludes problems caused by unreasonable use, maintenance, or care. A concern about a repaired panel therefore needs to be considered against both the listed defect and these conditions.
Paint coverage is described separately and refers to PPG products. Listed failures include peeling or delamination, cracking or checking, certain loss of gloss, and paint failure caused by proven defective refinish products covered by the guarantee. The terms exclude deterioration associated with body rust, scratches, abrasions, stone chips, unsuitable detergents or waxes, environmental effects, and physical damage from accidents, vandalism, or owner negligence. Paint-related claims must be inspected by a PPG representative.
Mechanical work and parts are not interchangeable
The mechanical-repair provision is limited to work pertaining directly to the original collision damage. It states that the shop’s workmanship is guaranteed for as long as the owner owns the vehicle, subject to the stated exclusions for unreasonable use, maintenance, or care. This makes the connection to the original collision repair material: a later mechanical problem is not described as covered merely because the vehicle once received collision work.
For new, used, or remanufactured parts installed by the shop, the warranty points to the manufacturer’s or supplier’s warranty. It separately states that workmanship involved in installing a part is covered for as long as the owner owns the vehicle. In practice, a parts concern and an installation concern may follow different terms. When discussing a suspected issue, identify the component and whether the concern is about the part itself or how it was installed.
Some repair-related costs remain outside the promise
The warranty says coverage becomes void if someone not authorized by Imperial Auto Body alters, adjusts, or tampers with the repair. It also excludes incidental expenses such as towing, rental-car charges, and travel, as well as assemblies and components not specifically covered. Consequential damage to other assemblies or components is excluded too. These provisions mean the warranty is not a general reimbursement plan for every expense or later effect associated with a repair.
