No matter where your vehicle is repaired, it’s crucial to pay attention to the quality of the work done. Using OEM parts and following manufacturer procedures ensures a high-quality repair, but not all shops adhere to these standards. Make sure to thoroughly inspect your vehicle after repairs. You might find underlying damage that was ignored or overlooked. Many corners can be cut, and improper parts or installation can seriously compromise your vehicle’s safety and performance.
Below are some tips for inspecting your completed vehicle. If you suspect something isn’t right, it’s always best to give the original shop a chance to fix it. However, if you’ve lost trust or feel backed into a corner, We Can Help! We offer a free visual inspection of your vehicle and if additional repairs are needed, we can assist in setting up a supplement with your insurance company.
- Take delivery of the vehicle during the day and inspect it in the daylight.
- Look for consistent gaps between body panels.
- Make sure all doors, hood, and trunk open satisfactorily.
- Make sure the repaired area is smooth, not rippled. Make sure the body contours match exactly, side to side and back to front.
- See how the paint color matches in the repaired area compared to adjacent body panels. Look at the repair from various angles to assure a consistent color match.
- Ensure that the paint not only matches in color, but is also smooth and shiny without imperfections or distortion.
- Ensure that there is no “overspray” in areas that should not be colored such as windows, lamps, and chrome or black trim.
- Make sure there is no masking tape left on the vehicle and that any seat covers or floor mat covers have been removed.
- If a tire was destroyed in the accident, ensure that the replacement tire is of a size, brand and model that match the others on the vehicle. Mis-matched tires can compromise vehicle handling characteristics and safety.
- If a wheel or wheel cover was destroyed in the accident, ensure that the replacement unit matches the others on the vehicle.
- Ensure that the interior is clean, all broken glass has been removed, and the cabin and exterior is dust-free.
- In the event that the battery was damaged and replaced or simply disconnected for safety purposes to effect repairs, the radio, and possibly other electrical components, will likely need to be reset.
- Ask the shop if all automaker-recommended pre- and post-collision vehicle scans were properly completed.
- Ask the shop if all automaker-recommended post-repair inspections and calibrations of advanced driver assistance systems were properly completed.
- Test-drive the vehicle, just as you would a new car. Make sure it drives to your satisfaction. Make sure everything works on the car including all electrical devices such as power seats, windows, and door locks.
- If, upon retrieving your vehicle, it is not repaired to your complete satisfaction, do not leave the body shop premises. Immediately inform the shop owner or manager.
- If you are still unsure about the safety of your vehicle, or that the repairs were properly made, you can contact a post-repair inspector Like Coach Works Auto Body or independent vehicle examiner for an independent examination of your post-repaired vehicle.
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