Unfortunately, these days you can’t be sure about the quality of car repairs. Following a collision, it’s important for your safety and the safety of your passengers that the repairs be inspected.
When you decide on an auto body shop for post-collision repairs, the expectation is that technicians restore the car to its condition before the collision. Repairs address the structure of the car body, the car safety systems, moving parts, mechanical components, computerized systems and, finally, the car paint.
At Badell’s Collision, we make post-repair inspections a routine part of every job. Why? Keep reading to learn all about post-inspection repairs and why we find that they are so important.
What is a Post-Repair Inspection?
A post-repair inspection is an evaluation made by someone other than the person who performed the repairs. The main goals of this process are to ensure that the car is safe to drive and that it has been returned to its pre-collision condition. Having someone else perform this task is key to ensuring that nothing is missed.
When is a Post-Repair Inspection Recommended?
At Badell’s Collision, we perform this process every single time. It’s just the way we operate here. However, not every auto body shop does it this way. Post-repair inspections are a fundamental part of vehicle safety, acting as a second layer of protection for car owners. In particular, an inspection is advisable if:
- It’s necessary to confirm that a car was fixed properly and that it’s safe to drive.
- You are unsure about the quality of repair work or the parts used in the repair.
- The repair shop seems unwilling to disassemble the vehicle in order to properly assess collision damage.
- You notice signs that the car is not operating properly or doesn’t look like it did before the collision and repairs.
- You need to request an appraisal of the diminished value that a car owner is due.
These are solid reasons to find a reliable auto body repair shop and request a post-repair assessment of the vehicle. In general, you should be vigilant if you see signs that the repair shop lacks professionalism. This may show in an inability to explain the repairs done or not providing warranties for the work done.
What is Involved in a Post-Repair Inspection?
When you bring your vehicle to be inspected, these are the steps that the auto body technicians go through in order to verify the quality of the repairs that have been made.
- The first step to performing a post-repair is to get a copy of the car insurance estimate and the auto repair estimate from the shop. During the inspection, they will compare these with the work that was done.
- Then, the auto body specialist will assess the quality of the repair work and replacement parts.
- Next, they will perform a panel-by-panel inspection to make sure the auto body parts line up correctly.
- Using a paint thickness meter, they will check that the paint job (if needed) was done well and that the finish is even.
- The auto body technician will then take off panels and interior carpets to check repair work that may be hidden. Specific things on his checklist include checking the welding work, rust protection measures and alignment.
- If there are any red flags during the previous steps of the inspection, the technician will recommend a full post-repair inspection. Otherwise, the auto body shop will let you know that your car has passed inspection.
It’s important to note that car owners are not responsible for covering the expense of remediating a substandard repair. The auto body shop carrying out the post-repair inspection will contact the car insurance company. Your insurance is required to pay for any labor or parts needed to ensure that the car has been fixed to standard.
Why Should You Be Worried about Car Repairs?
In recent years, car repair chains and insurance referral networks have placed increasing importance on performing quick repairs and decreasing costs for the company. For many of these conglomerate businesses, profit is the main priority. Rushed work and cutting corners – like using aftermarket parts – can, unfortunately, mean poor or unsafe car repairs. The only consumer safety measure to prevent this from happening to your car is to request a post-repair inspection.
Look out for companies that offer Direct Repair Programs (DPRs) or which are part of large preferred insurance networks. To be done properly and ensure the safety of each care we work on, car repairs can take time. This is one reason why we advise that car owners trust local, independent and family-owned auto body shops from the beginning of the collision repair process.
Trust Badell’s Collision for Post-Repair Inspections
Badell’s Collision will fix your car right, the first time. Our technicians can also verify collision repair carried out by other body shops. We hold our work to extremely high, quality standards and offer a lifetime warranty on all repair work. Call us at (610) 497-8887 or request an estimate today.
