After sending your vehicle to a collision repair shop in South Jersey, you may be eager to have it returned. However, when you go to receive your vehicle after these repairs, don’t be too hasty in driving away. There are several questions that you should ask before pulling away from the collision repair center to better understand the quality of the repairs and whether the service comes with a warranty.
Key Takeaways
- Always ask whether a post-repair diagnostic scan and any required ADAS recalibrations were completed before accepting your vehicle.
- Confirm that OEM repair procedures were followed and ask whether OEM, aftermarket, or LKQ parts were installed during the repair process.
- Request an explanation of any hidden damage discovered during disassembly and understand how it affected the final repair plan or estimate.
- Ask about recommended follow-up inspections, maintenance, or break-in procedures to help protect your vehicle’s long-term safety and performance.
- Review the repair warranty before leaving the shop so you know exactly what parts, labor, paint, and workmanship are covered.
A reputable South Jersey auto body repair shop like Elmer’s Auto Body will have no problem communicating the answers of the following questions to you.
1. Was a Post-Repair Diagnostic Scan Performed?
A trustworthy and thorough repair shop will perform a post-repair diagnostic scan without fail. Why? Modern vehicles may store fault codes even when there are no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. A post-repair scan can verify that the electronic systems are functioning properly after repairs.
These scans are also recommended by manufacturers because they may uncover issues that would present themselves down the line, such as electronic problems that wouldn’t pop up during a test drive.
2. Were ADAS Systems Recalibrated?
Modern vehicles contain Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, such as lane assist, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. Each of these require recalibration in the event of an accident, since even a minute shift can cause dysfunction. In fact, even a windshield replacement will require a full system recalibration to ensure everything is working properly.
While ADAS recalibration may be present on the invoice, you can always ask for additional documentation to see which cameras and sensors were replaced and recalibrated.
3. Were OEM Repair Procedures Followed?
Not every repair center is going to follower manufacturer specifications during repairs, particularly when they are faced with a high volume of vehicles. This often happens in a Direct Repair Program (DRP) shop. That said, the highest quality repairs are going to be the ones that follow manufacturer repair guidelines, as the specifications restore the vehicle’s factory crash performance.
Look for collision repair centers with specific designations, such as certifications from makers and I-CAR. These are assurances that they will not only have the equipment but the skill to follow these OEM standards.
4. Were OEM, Aftermarket, or LKQ Parts Installed?
Similar to the question above, you may wish to inquire about the type of parts used. Most collision repair centers that follow OEM repair practices will also use OEM parts, since that preserves the vehicle’s specifications and warranties on those parts. However, if, for example, you ask for a reduction in price, aftermarket or LKQ (of like kind and quality) parts may be installed.
Aftermarket and LKQ parts may be cheaper, but they also run the risk of not fitting your vehicle exactly. Furthermore, they may alter crash performance. It’s important to recognize these risks and how they may affect the safety of your car, as well as the resale value.
If non-OEM parts were used during repairs, be sure to ask whether those parts were covered by your insurance provider.
5. Was Any Hidden Damage Found During Repairs?
Depending on the severity of the collision, your vehicle may have had what is known as hidden damage. This kind of damage cannot be appraised visually because it is under the surface, often around support structures. Your car may appear to only have cosmetic damages until the auto technician begins to pull away the panels.
Due to hidden damage, your insurance estimate may change dramatically. If you notice that the price of the repairs has increased, be sure to ask about any potential hidden damages and to have them explained to you. The auto technician should be able to describe what needed to be done and if it would change how your car performs.
6. Do I Need Any Follow-Up Maintenance or Inspections?
While your vehicle should be safe to drive once the repairs are complete, the technician will let you know if any newly painted surfaces, replacement glass, or adhesive needs additional attention. Any of these repairs may come with break-in recommendations. Furthermore, if your vehicle’s frame or alignment was thrown off, the technician may recommend that you bring your vehicle back to the collision repair center within a certain amount of miles traveled. Alignment, tire wear, ADAS performance, and suspension inspection may all need to be checked after a certain period.
Additionally, the tech may ask you to watch for signs of missed damage, including steering pull, warning lights, wind noise, and so on.
7. What Warranty Comes With These Repairs?
Most collision repairs—when performed at a certified collision repair center like Elmer’s Auto Body—come with a warranty. These warranties do not void any active car warranty, so long as the repairs did not involve unauthorized modifications.
One thing drivers should ask when picking up their vehicle is what’s included in the warranty. Any work that was performed on your vehicle should be covered, such as parts, labor, and paint. For example, if a body panel fell off during a collision and the shop replaced it, that part will typically be covered for a set period of time.
The type of part also matters. Aftermarket or LKQ parts generally do not come with a warranty, while OEM parts will.
Conclusion
When it comes time to pick up your vehicle from the repair shop, do more than check the paint. Ask questions. This is the final opportunity to confirm the work done to your vehicle, as well as any warranties that come with those repairs. Most collision repair shops welcome your questions and concerns and should be able to address them accordingly.
At Elmer’s Auto Body, we believe in transparent communication. We don’t want you driving away with questions, which is why we endeavor to deliver consistent communication during the repairs and will answer any concerns you have. With us, your safety matters.
Auto Body Repair in South Jersey Done Right
Since 1947, Elmer’s Auto Body has been serving the South Jersey community. We’ve got your back. With our manufacturer and I-CAR certifications, we guarantee repairs done to the highest standard. Give us a call at one of our three convenient locations:
Mt. Ephraim: (856) 456-7018 |
Sewell: (856) 218-0202 |
Medford: (609) 714-4050