A Body Shop Work: How You can Assess its Quality

It can be heartbreaking for you to see your car getting smashed up in an accident, even if no one is hurt. Nevertheless, when it is ready for delivery at a body shop a couple of weeks later, all shiny and perfect, you may forget instantly all the trauma of the accident and frustrations of using taxis or a rental for a while. All you want to do is just pay up and drive off. 

But can you be sure whether the quality of the repair work is really as good as your car looks? It would be a major pain for you, if you find later on that your car is not as good as it looks. The problems may surface days, weeks or even months after the repairs are done.  So, how can and would you assess the quality of the repairs? Here are a few tips for you.

Get everything in writing

The process of repair begins when your car reaches the body shop. Get a detailed estimate and be clear on what is going to be repaired, and how it will be done. Find out about warranty on the repairs: you need to get everything in writing.

When you receive the car, check everything against the written statement you have of work specifications. If anything is not to your satisfaction, or not in line with what you have in writing, point it out and find out why. A good body shop will carry out all the repair works agreed to, and be happy to answer all your questions. 

You want your car back fast indeed, but do not rush the work or pressure the shop to work fast. Some repairs can take a long time, and rushing things will compromise the quality.

Ascertain whether your car is really clean

A shop that takes pride in its work will ensure that your car is clean before it is delivered to you. A shop that gives you a dirty car with excuses like “everything in a body shop is dirty but the repairs are good” is questionable. Also, the dirt accumulated may be hiding flaws in the work.

Do a detailed inspection

Do a detailed inspection of all the mended areas of the car. Look for uneven gaps between the body panels. Check the paint under both artificial and natural light to see whether the new and the old paints merge in color and consistency. If the vehicle had suffered major front-end damage, ask to check the frame specs before and after the mending.

Test-drive the vehicle to examine whether everything sounds, works and feels right. If you have a feeling of unease about anything, find out why. Unless you are a mechanic yourself, there is only that much you can check. If you have lingering doubts, get a second opinion after leaving the shop.

Keep all the paper work safe

Some defects like uneven tire wear are generally noticed after a few months. Check your car regularly during the warranty period for deficiencies, and if you find any, take the car back to the shop, along with the paperwork, to have them looked at under warranty.

A good body shop will be honest and clear about the repairs that need to be done, and the expenses to be incurred and how they will carry out the mending.  They will be happy to walk you through the process, and give you a warranty on the work they agree to do. Choose a shop with a good reputation, experienced and qualified mechanics and all the equipment needed for the job. A good shop can return your car to a pre-accident condition.