Handling auto body repair can be a stressful experience. Fortunately, many shops prioritize customer satisfaction.
One of the best ways to find a great body shop is by asking friends and colleagues for recommendations. You can also request to visit a shop that isn’t affiliated with your insurance company.
Damaged Parts
Most car owners take cosmetic damage seriously—they are willing to get their vehicle back from the body shop with scratches, dents, and chips. Still, they’re less tolerant of structural or mechanical damage. These damage types aren’t just aesthetic; they can impact how the car drives and how safe it is for occupants to be transported.
It’s common for an initial estimate to change as mechanics begin dismantling the car; they may find other damages that need to be fixed. Please think of this like an x-ray at the doctor’s office; once they access the broken bone, the diagnosis and treatment plan will likely change.
Scheduling issues rank right up there, with insurance problems as the biggest causes of delays during collision repair. A sound scheduling system is essential to the smooth workflow through the auto body shop Denver CO. Getting this right will ensure that work is done quickly and efficiently without waiting for the right parts or insurance issues to be resolved.
Aerodynamic Changes
Before your car gets manufactured, it goes through a long design and testing process. During this process, engineers work hard to ensure your vehicle is as aerodynamic as possible. Even minor damage can change how your car moves through the air, creating more drag and impacting fuel economy.
When you take your car to a body shop, not on your insurance company’s recommended list, you may experience these changes firsthand. This is because many large auto body shops are powered by quotas, meaning they must service a certain number of vehicles in a given period. This forces technicians to rush their repairs and order cheaper parts.
This doesn’t hold for local body shops, which rely on customer relationships and positive word-of-mouth to keep their doors open. This allows them to prioritize quality over quantity and provide a better overall service. You can also expect your trusted auto body shop to use color-matching technology to make the repaired area blend seamlessly with the rest of your car.
Aftermarket or Used Parts
Many collision repairs involve replacing parts like body panels. Body shops also use their knowledge of the mechanics to correct structural damage, safety issues, and more. Sometimes, a shop will choose to use aftermarket or used parts instead of OEM parts. The quality of these parts can vary significantly. The old saying “You get what you pay for” applies.
Generally, aftermarket parts are cheaper than OEM parts. They may be made of inferior materials, however. They might also be less durable, reducing their lifespan or resistance to corrosion. Or, as in the case of brake pads, they might make more noise (although this is okay).
In contrast, OEM parts are identical to the original part being replaced. They usually have a warranty designed to meet a vehicle’s specific requirements. This includes factors like budget, desired life expectancy, and manufacturability. Using aftermarket parts may negatively impact your car’s book value and can even invalidate the warranty of a leased vehicle.
Deterioration
Auto body shops are not the place to take your car for routine maintenance. It would help if you went to a mechanic for things like engine lights, noises, or mechanical problems.
Polymers, the plastics used in your vehicle’s body, are subject to degradation from exposure to sunlight. This degradation, also known as photodegradation or photo-induced degradation, alters polymers’ color, shape, and tensile strength.
Sanding and painting generate air pollutants, including particulate matter and diisocyanates, which are hazardous to human health. You can find more information on these pollutants in the EPA’s Air Toxics Health Effects Notebook.
If you are unhappy with a body shop’s work, one recommends taking the time to document any issues you have. If they refuse to remedy the problem, consider talking to a local attorney. Depending on your concerns, they can help you receive compensation for the subpar work.
