[Tesla Model Y Triangle Accident #2] Repairing was as Hard as the Accident: The Booking Battle and Handling Lost Plates

TL;DR

No immediate check-in was available: Right after the accident I wanted a fast repair, but no center could take the car right away. I switched to the Tesla Dongtan Collision Center, which had more availability.
Keep every plate, lost or not: Losing a plate means a police report first, then you must bring the remaining plate to the registry office to get a reissue.
Expected a professional restoration: The booking process was a grind, but I dropped the car off expecting a repair that follows Tesla’s own guidelines.

The shock of the accident itself is bad enough, but for Tesla owners there’s a second stressor just as bad: getting the car checked in for repair. You can’t just drop it at the garage down the street like a regular car — it has to go to a factory center or an authorized body shop, and slots are competitive. The booking battle and the paperwork wear you down almost as much as the accident did. Here’s how I went from Yongin to Dongtan, plus the unexpected detour of a lost license plate.

Tesla Collision Center Booking Strategy

Switching Service Centers

Right after the accident, I tried booking the Tesla Yongin Collision Center through the app — the earliest slot was 3 weeks out. I couldn’t leave the damaged car sitting that long, so I switched to the Tesla Dongtan Collision Center, which had a more open schedule.

Inquiry at Authorized Body Shops

I also contacted three authorized body shops listed on the official site. What stood out: every single one asked for photos of the damage before offering a slot.

Tesla Collision Support Page The Collision Support section on the official Tesla website — factory centers vs. authorized body shops.

[!NOTE] Why photos first? Body shops need photos to forecast parts and manage shop floor space. Repair time swings wildly depending on parts availability (front panels, etc.), so photos let them filter estimates and schedules up front.

Lost License Plate: Why ‘Reissue’ Is Necessary

I lost the front plate in the accident. There’s a technical and legal reason you can’t just get a duplicate made:

Crime prevention: A lost plate could end up on a stolen or unregistered car, so reissuing the same number is not allowed.
Required document: You need a lost-property report from the local police station.
Return rule: You have to hand in the remaining plate (usually the rear one) to the registry office before they’ll issue a new set.

[!CAUTION] Note on reissuing: I forgot to bring the rear plate the first time and had to make a wasted trip. Remember — you must remove and bring the remaining plate with you. Best case, just recover the lost plate at the scene before the tow truck leaves.

[!TIP] The plate likely got knocked somewhere nearby — worth searching the scene thoroughly before towing. A new plate number means updating insurance, apartment parking registration, Hi-Pass, and more. A real hassle to avoid.

Towing and Check-in: Heading to Tesla Dongtan Collision Center

On the scheduled day, I called the insurance company’s tow service and sent the Model Y to the Tesla Dongtan Collision Center.

Tesla Model Y being loaded onto a tow truck The car being loaded onto the tow truck.

Check-in Completed

I got word that the Model Y arrived safely at Dongtan. Inside, a line of other damaged cars were already waiting their turn.

Model Y checked in at the Tesla Dongtan Collision Center Waiting its turn inside the facility.

Even booking a repair slot for a Tesla turned out to be its own ordeal. Since it’s a Tesla Authorized Collision Center, I was expecting a repair that follows the manufacturer’s own guidelines.

Tesla Authorized Collision Center Environment An authorized collision center following Tesla’s guidelines.

Not getting into an accident in the first place matters most. But if it happens, getting a booking at an authorized center fast is what actually determines how long you’re without a car. Next up: the repair itself.

🔗 References

Tesla Accident Contact Information (For Korea)

Tesla Customer Support (including Roadside Assistance): ☎ 080-617-1399 (24/7, 9 AM – 8 PM)
Tesla Korea Official Blog: Collision Centers & Authorized Body Shops