Category: Collision Repair

Why Some New Jersey Auto Body Shops Don’t Perform Scanning, And Why You Need It

If you have ever watched a professional auto mechanic at work, you have probably seen them plug a small device into the vehicle’s console for the purpose of “reading codes.” Most people have seen these devices at some point, but not everyone realizes how crucial they are. Every repair job should begin with a diagnostic/estimate. In order to do that step correctly, you need a proper scan. Otherwise, there is no way to know if all the problems have been discovered.

Why Don’t Some Repair Shops Perform Scans?

There are several reasons why some shops neglect this important step. Sometimes, they will omit the scan because they simply don’t have the right scanning equipment. If they have the right equipment, but it isn’t on hand at the time, they may also choose to omit the scan. Obviously, both of these occurrences are red flags that indicate that your repair shop isn’t very professional.

In many cases, this problem is just the result of outdated thinking. Prior to 2016, not all vehicles were able to be scanned. The first OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) tool was invented in the late 1970s, but support for these tools did not become a standard feature until fairly recently. Before 2016, scanning was not always necessary or possible. Thankfully, this part of the problem will solve itself over time as new technicians are trained properly.

Why You Need An OBD Scan

It is highly essential to perform a scan both before and after a repair job. The initial scan is done to confirm that all problems have been found. Modern vehicles have many electronic components like sensors, and it isn’t always easy to tell when one of these parts has stopped working. You can generally look at an engine or an alternator and diagnose the problem, but electronic components aren’t so easy.

When you take your vehicle to the shop, you are probably there to deal with a specific problem. However, there might be all sorts of secondary problems that will cause trouble in the future. It is always better to correct a problem while it is small. Because your vehicle is probably working every day, small problems have a tendency to grow and get worse with time. An OBD scan allows you to detect vehicular issues as soon as possible.

After the repair has been completed, it is equally important to do a post-scan. If you don’t do this, there is no way to verify that the existing problems have been fixed. Again, mechanics in the past didn’t have such an easy way to confirm the effectiveness of their repairs, but it would be foolish to omit such a step today.

This also brings us to a discussion of liability. It is possible to hold a shoddy repair shop legally accountable if they do not perform the services for which you have paid. In some extreme cases, there could even be criminal fraud charges. Thus, it makes a lot of sense for a repair shop to do these scans and document the results. It gives them a way to prove that the car was, in fact, repaired as ordered.

No-Scan Repairs Can Void Your Warranty

Most vehicles have a warranty, but all of them have certain conditions. In particular, most warranties have provisions regarding repairs. Vehicle manufacturers know that there are some terrible excuses for auto mechanics out there, and they don’t want to be held liable for the mistakes of such people. Thus, they usually require that your vehicle is repaired by a technician who has been certified by their company.

Of course, these are just warranty stipulations. There is no law (in most states) that prevents an unlicensed person from setting up shop and repairing vehicles for money. Certified technicians must follow a specific OEM process to repair the vehicle correctly, and this process will pretty much always include pre-scans and post-scans. This is why no-scan repairs have the potential to void your warranty.

How Does An OBD Scanner Work?

These are very simple tools that are intended to diagnose vehicular problems with efficiency. There is a small handheld unit with a cable that plugs into the vehicle. On most vehicles, the OBD port is located under the steering wheel. Using a small screen on the device, the technician selects the make and model of the vehicle.

Next, the device performs the scan, which doesn’t usually take more than a minute or two. When it’s finished, the device will display a series of numeric codes. The final step is to look up those code numbers, as each one corresponds to a specific malfunction. Although it is possible for these devices to make mistakes, they can generally be trusted.

Conclusion

The subject of OBD scanning is a very simple one, which fits with the simplicity and utility of the device. Of course, we should mention that there are different kinds of OBD scanners, but all of them perform the same basic function. Auto body scanning is not an optional step, and all credible shops understand this fact, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If you need a good body shop or any other kind of automotive service, you can always call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.

Does an Accident Reduce The Value of a Car?

Minor car accidents and scraps to your car are very common even though it is a driver’s worst nightmare. If you are ideally wanting to sell your car but have damaged it in an accident, this damage may affect and even reduce the value of your car. In this article, we will explore the different factors that could affect the value of your car after an accident.

Different Types Of Vehicle Damage

First of all, the biggest factor that may affect the value of your car after an accident is if the vehicle has undergone any damage and if it has, what extent of damage the vehicle has. Any kind of surface damage such as minor dents and scratches will have the least amount of effect on the value of your car as these are cosmetic flaws that can easily be repaired and restored. If your car has any structural damage or any damage affecting the engine, this could mean that your car has lost a lot of value.

When your vehicle is inspected, any structural or mechanical damages that have occurred to your vehicle will show up in the report and this will then mean you could be offered less for your car if you are trading it in or selling it privately. The insurance company may label your car as either salvaged or rebuilt. This means that the repairs to the car have cost more than the car was worth, making the car worth less. If the insurance company has labeled your car as either salvaged or rebuilt after an accident, you may find that the damage caused by the accident has been significant enough that your vehicle has lost its value.

Auto History

The history of your vehicle may also play a part when working out the value of your car. If you are planning on selling your car through a trader, the buyer will be able to view the car’s history on websites like AutoCheck or CarFax. The accident and damage will show up on the car’s repair history and this may turn off a potential buyer. Accidents will scare off potential buyers as buyers will doubt if the car will be reliable or will need more work in the future and how skilled the mechanic was when working on this particular repair.

Repairing Your Vehicle

The quality of the repairs after the accident will also determine if your car has lost any value. If your car has experienced a large amount of damage, it is worth your investment to take it to a reliable garage and make sure that the repairs that are done are correct. This is a sure way of holding on to as much of the car’s value as possible. If a new buyer wants to purchase the vehicle and look up the repair history, having an established garage linked to the repairs will help the buyer’s confidence in the vehicle’s safety and the work that was done.

It is also important that when you are having repair work done to your car that you use OEM parts where possible as this will help the repairs to remain undetectable and the value of your car to remain as high as possible.

If you have a large amount of damage to your car and your car has been labeled as salvaged, your car’s value will decrease. It is important to make sure that all repairs are done before attempting to sell your car as this will give you a higher chance of keeping as much of the car’s value as possible. A buyer will not want to purchase a car they will need to work on or deal with underlying issues and therefore it is best to get all repairs out of the way before selling.

What Kind Of Car Do You Own?

The other large factor that will determine how much your car is valued at after an accident is what kind of car you own. Even if your car has suffered some minor damage if your car is a good make and a popular model then the value of your car may not decrease by as much as you expected. If you are selling to a car dealer, the dealer may even pay you more than what you expected for your damaged vehicle as they will be able to complete the minor repairs and still sell it for a good price. A car can have minor damage from an accident but still have a lot of mileage left and be very sellable depending on the model.

Every vehicle’s beginning value is different depending on the year, make, model, color, and even features of the car. Therefore, after an accident, the value of the car will decrease depending on how popular the car is and how in demand the car is.

Aim To Recover The Value Of Your Car Before Selling

It is always best to aim to try and repair the damage to your vehicle after an accident in order to recover some of the lost value. There are several ways you can help recover the value of your vehicle. Using a reliable and trustworthy garage for your repairs will help a buyer trust that the car has been repaired safely and is fit for use. It is best to use original parts in order to keep the car as close to new as possible. If you need any repairs to your car after an accident call Elmer’s Auto Body today. Our teams at our auto body repair shops in South Jersey are ready to repair your vehicle back to its original form. Read more about our service here.

Auto Body Shop Questions To Ask After An Accident

After an accident, people are often disoriented and confused. Even if you didn’t sustain any injury from the collision, the whole experience will probably leave you feeling a little bit stressed and rattled. In a situation like this, most of us just want to get the matter handled as quickly as possible so that things can go back to normal. However, it is essential to ask the right questions when taking your car to a shop after an accident.

1. A Repair Warranty

Although not all vehicle repairs require a warranty, body shop repairs should always have one. This is just a way to make sure that the shop is willing to guarantee their work to some extent. If they won’t do this, it signifies that they don’t have a lot of faith in their ability to fix your car correctly. Therefore, you should always ask about a repair warranty and find out the terms of that warranty.

2. Ask About An Estimate

No matter how much you need those repairs, it is important to get an estimate and make sure that you can afford them. It is best to figure this out before you have your car towed to a shop. Otherwise, if the estimate is too high, you will have to pay for another towing job.

3. Certifications

It is perfectly normal to ask about the certifications that a shop or mechanic might have. Bodywork is a big subject, and there is more than one relevant certification. Since most people do not have all of these certs, it is best to verify that your vehicle is being repaired by a qualified technician.

Don’t just take their word for it, either. Find out exactly which certifications they have, and then you can find out who issues those certs. Once you know that, you can look on that organization’s website or contact them directly. This is a good way to make sure that those certifications are both valid and current.

4. Range Of Services

Once again, bodywork is a big subject, and no one person can do everything. As such, not all body shops offer a full range of services. Some of them are highly specialized, which means they may not have the right people to do the job you need. Before bringing your vehicle to a body shop, you should definitely verify that they are willing and able to do the type of work that you need.

5. Completion Timeframe

If you are like most people, you need your car on an everyday basis. Being without a vehicle is a major inconvenience that can cause you to miss all sorts of commitments. For that reason, you should always ask for an approximate completion time. Bear in mind that it’s hard to predict that kind of thing, but they should be able to give you some kind of an estimate. If nothing else, this will give you an idea of how efficient this particular shop might be. You should also bear in mind that busy shops will usually take longer to get the job done.

6. Rental Cars Or Loaners

Once again, being without your vehicle for an extended period of time can be a massive inconvenience. If you have only one vehicle, that inconvenience becomes much bigger. For some people, this might simply be unacceptable. Unfortunately, employers are not always sympathetic to these kinds of problems, which can put you at risk of being disciplined or fired.

For that reason, it’s a good idea to see if the body shop offers rental or loaner vehicles. Even if such vehicles aren’t the best in the world, they can at least get you through until your vehicle is fixed. Most of the better body shops will have some kind of loan or rental plan. Even if they don’t offer loaner vehicles themselves, they may have a good business relationship with another company that does.

7. Dealing With The Insurance Company

Insurance companies are pretty much always involved with the process of collision repair. Not all vehicle repairs require that you deal with the insurance company, but collision repairs generally do. As such, you need to find out who will be dealing with the insurance company.

If the body shop in question has a good working relationship with your insurance company, they can probably handle most of those interactions. If not, then you will need to keep in contact with your insurance provider and make sure they are kept updated on the situation. They will probably also send an adjuster out to verify the damage and make their own estimate.

8. OEM Parts

OEM stands for “original engine manufacturer.” That’s just a fancy way of saying that these are original parts that come straight from the manufacturer. In most cases, OEM parts are the best option, so you should verify that your chosen body shop uses them.

Conclusion

Even if you are dealing with a credible and competent repair shop, it is very important to ask the right questions. If nothing else, it makes your expectations clear to all involved. You might be able to think of some other relevant questions before you head to any of the auto body shops in South Jersey. Of course, if you want the best NJ body shop, your best bet is to call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.

Start to Finish: What to Expect at a Collision Center

When you have never been in an auto accident before, knowing what to expect at an auto body shop in NJ can be confusing and frustrating. You may not understand what is involved or what goes on at a collision center. There is definitely much to the repair process, particularly when it comes to returning your vehicle to its pre-collision condition. If you were recently involved in a car accident and need repairs, here is what to expect at a collision center.

Estimates

The first step of the collision repair process is to take your vehicle to one of the reputable auto body shops in South Jersey, such as Elmer’s Auto Body. Speak with an auto repair technician about your car or bring it in for them to assess and provide a quote for the damages. The estimate is created after an auto technician has looked at the external damage to the vehicle. Keep in mind that sometimes internal damages cannot be found until the technician is already working on the vehicle. The estimate may change according to what they find.

Insurance

Once the body shop has compiled an estimate of the visible damage and any potential hidden damages, they will send the numbers over to your insurance company. Once this step is completed, your repairs will begin in earnest.

Disassembly

Returning the condition of your car to what it used to be is going to take some time. The technicians in charge of your vehicle will map out their plan, since deconstructing a vehicle is systematic. As pieces are removed from the vehicle, the mechanic will inspect those pieces to decide whether the condition is OK or not.

Some insurance companies will ask the NJ body shop to first disassemble the vehicle so that hidden damages are uncovered and documented early on, reducing the number of adjustments to the estimate.

If the body shop needs to order replacement parts for your vehicle, this is the time when those orders take place.

Repair

Collisions, regardless of the speed you are moving, have a chance of distorting the metal frame of a vehicle. One of the first steps of collision repair is to assess the framework. The auto body shop technician will use tools like laser frame diagnostics to ensure the shape of the metal has not been warped. Some auto body shops in South Jersey also have frame machines to restore the pre-accident condition of your vehicle. Depending on the extent of damage, the metal repair could take weeks.

Suspension and wheel alignment repairs are also a point of focus for auto body shops. These repairs are often crucial after repairs because you want your vehicle to remain maneuverable while driving.

Paint Prep

Prior to putting the vehicle back together, the collision center will prepare to paint your car. The panels that need to be painted or repainted are readied. Prepping the paint assures that the colors of the paint stick. Priming and sealing happen next.

Reassembly

Once the frame and other repairs are completed, the vehicle is then ready to be painted. First comes the base coat, followed by a clear repellent coat. After the curing is finished, your car gets another, glossier coat of paint.

After the paint has dried, reassembly occurs. The collision center will reconstruct your car from the ground up and double-check that all essential pieces are where they belong. This is a painstaking process, as everything must be returned to the original location. Even a single misplaced screw can lead to havoc on the roadway.

Detailing and Cleaning

While your car is sitting in the auto body repair shop, the parts are going to get dusty and dirty. That is a fact of life within an NJ body shop. The technicians at the collision center will clean out any of the debris or dust that has settled in the vehicle. They will check everything to make sure no glitches were passed over.

The head technician will approve the condition of the car before it moves onward to the last phase of being in a collision center. Sometimes, to ensure the vehicle is ready to be driven home by the owner, a technician will take it for a short test drive around the facility.

Final Inspection

At long last, your car is nearly finished. Now, it just needs to be returned to you. During the pickup process, you will receive the final invoice for the repairs, including a total breakdown of every expense. Before shaking hands and leaving, be sure to double-check your car, both inside and outside. Do not take the keys from the desk until you are satisfied with what you see.

Looking for a Trustworthy NJ Body Shop?

Now that you know what to expect at a collision center, it is time to start looking for one. Elmer’s Auto Body has been repairing South Jersey vehicles for many years. Our collision repair process is well thought out, and we will work with you and your insurance company the entire time. Returning your car to working condition may take some time, but our skilled technicians will restore it to how you remember it. Give us a call today or fill out the contact form for more information.

What Is The Difference Between An Auto Body Shop And An Auto Mechanic Shop?

There are many people who don’t fully understand the difference between an auto body shop and an auto mechanic shop. Although they are similar, it is important to know which kind of service your vehicle requires. These are two different types of businesses that specialize in two different types of work, so it can save you some time and trouble to learn the difference. With that in mind, let’s talk about the key differences between a body shop and a repair shop.

Auto Mechanic Shops: What Are They?

These are general auto repair shops that offer a variety of services based on the expertise of those working there. While many of these shops will specialize in certain kinds of jobs, they are meant to be general-purpose repair technicians. So, this is the place to go for most minor damage.

Problems Fixed By Mechanic Shops

Here are some examples of problems that might commonly be fixed at an auto mechanic shop:

Brakes: This includes drums, pads, calipers, master cylinders, brake lines, etc.
Oil/Fluid changes: This includes switching out your old oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, etc.
Internal Part Replacement: This covers a lot of ground. There are many instances in which a vehicle malfunctions because one or more parts have stopped working. When that happens, those parts have to be switched for new (or at least working) parts of the same type. These are probably the most common types of jobs for auto mechanics.
Engine Repair: Auto mechanics should be able to do all sorts of engine work, including a total rebuild (when necessary).
Electrical System Problems: A general auto mechanic should also be able to fix problems with your car’s electrical components such as alternators, starters, relays, batteries, etc.

The Process Of Doing Business With An Auto Mechanic Shop

In most cases, people do not know what is wrong with their vehicle when they bring it to an auto mechanic shop. Thus, the process will always begin with a diagnosis. This means that a mechanic will check out your vehicle based on the problems that you have reported. An estimate is then made based on their findings. If you decide to have the work done, they fix the car and you pay the bill afterward.

Auto Body Shops: What Are They?

An auto body shop differs from a normal mechanic shop in the fact that they specialize in specific types of auto repair. Rather than serving as general-purpose repair technicians, the people who work at auto body shops are more specialized for their particular kind of work. You wouldn’t go to a shop like this for any of the repairs that we listed earlier, because they are only going to do bodywork and things related to bodywork.

Problems Fixed By Body Shops

Here are some examples of common problems that might be fixed at an auto body shop:

Dent Repair: Most dents can be repaired, and many of them can even be pulled or pushed back into place without spoiling the paint job. Any good auto body shop should be able to remove minor dents and dings with ease.
Paint Jobs: Vehicle paint jobs are not like normal paint jobs. It takes special kinds of paint. special kinds of coatings, and a special kind of process. That is why most DIY vehicle paint jobs look so bad. That’s also why you will get better results by hiring a professional.
Glass Repair: if there is damage to your windows or your windshield, it is best to get that fixed at a body shop. A cracked windshield can even get you in trouble with the law so that one is pretty important. Auto body shops are also the best place for these kinds of repairs.
Body Panel Repair/Replacement: When the panels of the auto body itself are damaged, it takes a trained professional to remove and replace them properly. Many collision repairs fall into this category
Frame Repairs: If the frame of your vehicle is damaged, it is likely better to scrap the thing. However, in cases of mild frame damage, an auto body shop can probably get you back on the road.

The Process Of Doing Business With An Auto Body Shop

The process of doing business with an auto body shop is very similar to the process of doing business with an auto mechanic shop. However, there is one difference: Most body shop jobs do not require a diagnosis step. Although someone will definitely have to look at your car to determine the work that needs to be done, most body-shop problems are not difficult to pinpoint. For instance, if you have a huge dent in your rear panel or a big crack in your windshield, the problem is already obvious.

Conclusion

You can see that both types of auto repair shops are similar in their method of doing business but very different in terms of the problems they can fix. It is impossible for one mechanic to learn everything, and that is why different types of mechanics and repair shops exist.

We hope that this article has been helpful to you and that you will walk away with a full understanding of these differences. If you are in need of a good NJ body shop, you can call our team here at Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. There are many auto body shops in South Jersey, but only one offers a 70-year record of excellence.

Why Is It Important To Test Drive Your Vehicle After Repairs?

It’s always a relief when you get a call from the repair shop telling you that your vehicle is ready for pickup. This usually marks the end of an irritating and stressful process. Being without your vehicle for even a short time tends to aggravate the situation, but you still have one final step once the repairs are done. It is highly essential that you always test drive a vehicle after it has been repaired. If there is anything wrong, you need to figure that out immediately.

What Happens If You Don’t Do A Test Drive?

You will almost surely be driving your vehicle home after picking it up from the repair shop. However, that isn’t really the same thing as a test drive. A real test drive involves checking for common problems and paying close attention while performing specific maneuvers. It’s definitely not the same thing as an everyday drive down the street.

If you don’t do a test drive immediately, you will see those problems eventually. Unfortunately, it will be much harder for you to complain about those incomplete or incorrect repairs once several days have passed. The sooner you bring it back to the repair shop, the more likely it is that they will take responsibility for their mistake and fix the problem. If you wait too long, there is no way for the shop to know that you aren’t trying to scam them for free work.

Don’t Come Back With Unrelated Problems

You should understand that it isn’t always the shop’s fault if your car isn’t fully repaired. Unfortunately, some vehicle issues are much more subtle than others, and therefore much harder to detect. Thus, little problems can easily be missed. However, it isn’t reasonable to complain about something that was outside the scope of the repair work.

For instance, let’s say you brought your car to a body shop for repainting and a new windshield. If you get the vehicle back and notice problems with the engine, that probably had nothing to do with your auto body repair specialist. A paint job and a windshield change would not affect the engine one way or the other, so you cannot blame them for that one. However, in that same situation, you would definitely need to go back to the shop if the paint starts peeling or if the windshield isn’t properly installed.

Best Practices When Doing A Test Drive

As we said, a real test drive is a bit more involved than the average driving session. The main difference lies in the fact that you have to pay close attention to the vehicle. First of all, turn off your radio and your AC/heater. This will allow you to more accurately hear any telltale noises. This should also make it easier to feel any strange vibrations or “choppiness” that might be present.

On that note, strange noises and vibrations are always warning signs. They could indicate minor problems like a warped rotor guard, or major problems like a bad transaxle or a failing transmission. Find a place where you can cut some sharp turns and do some figure-eights. There are certain problems (particularly wheel problems) that are only noticeable when you turn in a certain way.

A few brake checks are also in order, although you should not do them on a crowded public road. Basically, you just want to get up to a good speed and do a few quick stops just to make sure your brakes are working properly. They should bring you to a full stop without making the vehicle lurch to one side. On that note, you can also easily check the alignment of your vehicle.

While driving down a straight stretch with no other cars nearby, set your car on a perfectly straight path and then let go of the steering wheel. Only do this for a maximum of five seconds, and grab the wheel quickly if you begin to swerve.

Here is why you do this: A vehicle with bad alignment will not maintain a straight course. It will immediately try to drift left or right, and that makes alignment problems easy to diagnose.

Finally, it’s also a good idea to test the electrical components in your car and make sure they are working properly. This would include things like power windows, power locks, the stereo, the AC, turn signals, brake lights, low/high beams, etc. Such problems can indicate issues with the parts that provide their power. As a final tip, make sure to drive on varying road conditions at varying speeds. This gives you the best possible chance of detecting a problem.

How Long Should A Test-Driving Session Last?

There is no set rule here, but a lot of people say that 20-30 minutes is ideal. However, you should take as much time as you require. You don’t want to skimp on any of the checks, and you want to take the time to fully verify any problems that you see. And so, the real answer is to take as much time as you require.

Conclusion

Without a solid test drive, it becomes very difficult to evaluate the repair work that has been done to your vehicle. You will essentially be trusting your mechanics 100%, and that isn’t always a good idea. Of course, you can get away with that if you choose one of the better auto body shops in South Jersey. If you are in need of a good NJ body shop, you can call our team here at Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.