car goes into body shop w/out CEL
car comes out of body shop WITH CEL.
accident that put car into body shop did not cause CEL
have you ever gone "behind the scenes" at any body shop? half the guys working there are either illegal or on parole.
okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea.
I had my last car at the body shop and when I got it back my alignment was totally out of whack. AFter taking it to an alignment shop I was advised someone had used one of the rear trailing arms as a jack point on my car and bent the hell out of it. Idiots.
For all you know some dummy that works there took it out for a spin and messed it up. maybe not - but it's always possible.
good luck. did you check odometer in/out. I always check that stuff b/c I don't trust anyone...