Repairs & Mechanics
How vehicle damage works, who can fix it, and the parts/repair costs to expect.
Damage on this server is persistent — your bumper doesn't repair itself between sessions. You either get it fixed or drive a wrecked car forever.
Damage tiers
Each vehicle has four tiered damage states:
- Cosmetic — scratches, dents. Visible only, no performance penalty.
- Light — fender bender level. Small handling penalty, fluid leaks.
- Heavy — major panel damage, possibly a dead headlight or window. Acceleration and top-speed reduced.
- Critical — engine damaged, possible smoke. Can stall, won't start reliably.
Engine condition is tracked separately from cosmetic damage. You can drive a heavily-dented car with a healthy engine, or a pristine-looking car with a wrecked engine that won't go past 30 mph.
Roadside fixes
Some basic fixes are doable in the field:
- Repair kit (buy at any tech / DIY store). One use, restores engine and cosmetic to ~80%. Stops working below ~20% engine, requires a tow.
- Push — a buddy can push your stalled car to the nearest mechanic.
A repair kit is not a free pass. The mechanic-quality repair you get is partial — the real fix is at a workshop.
Mechanic shops
Visit any LS Customs / mechanic shop (icon on the map). Drive into the bay and the workshop UI opens:
| Service | Effect |
|---|---|
| Quick repair | Restores engine + cosmetic to 100%. Cheap, fast. |
| Engine tune | Performance upgrade tier 1–4. Permanent until replaced. |
| Brake / transmission | Per-component upgrade. |
| Bodywork | Custom paint, vinyl, plate frames. |
| Tyres | Replace blown tyres, custom rim swaps. |
Repair costs scale with vehicle class. A mid-range sedan is around $1,500 for a full restore; a sports car can be $4,000+.
Mechanic shops are player-run during peak hours. If a mechanic NPC is replaced by a player character, prices are negotiable — and you have to actually roleplay the visit.
Workshop specialists
Some upgrades are only available at specialist workshops:
- Bennys (Strawberry) — lowriders, hydraulics, classic tuning.
- LSCM Tuner Shop — performance bias tuning, engine swaps.
- Salvage Yard (Sandy Shores) — used parts at discount; chance of pulled-VIN parts.
Player-owned workshops have their own pricing and may sell stolen parts — buyer beware.
Insurance and totalling
If a vehicle hits critical state in a crash, the insurer can total it on next inspection — they pay out the book value, you lose the vehicle. Cars at risk of totalling are flagged in your insurance app; you can pre-empt by paying for a major repair before the inspector arrives.