Debunking Auto Collision Repair Myths
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Most drivers don’t think about collision repair much — until they’re in an accident. After a wreck, the average car owner wants their vehicle in pre-accident condition as quickly as possible. They also likely believe the auto collision repair myth that repairs are a straightforward process, which collision repair technicians know isn’t always the case. There was a time when the average collision repair only required some bondo, a few tools, and maybe an OEM manual. But that could not be further from the truth for today’s vehicles.
Body shops can only restore modern vehicles to their pre-collision condition when relying on the latest OEM repair information and tools. That same information can be used to educate and inform customers and debunk collision repair myths like fast and easy repairs. Providing customers with the facts about collision repairs can alleviate many concerns and put expectations into perspective. By doing so, it can also position a body shop as the obvious choice for trusted and accurate collision repair.
Trusted Collision Repair Information — Just the Facts
Most body shops want those damaged vehicles repaired safely, accurately and quickly as much as their owners do. After all, faster repairs are good for business when they’re done right. But every repair technician knows firsthand the challenges associated when performing straightforward, accurate repairs on late-model cars. From intricate repairs and calibration for computerized systems to body panel alignment, the modern collision repair process can be quite complicated.
Modern cars and trucks are much more advanced than vehicles built only a decade ago. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) comprise innovative computerized technology requiring specific knowledge and skill. ADAS and other features are interconnected, and their components can become damaged in even the most minor accident. When innovative technology like composite panels and lightweight frame materials are added to the mix, it’s easy to see why body shops invest in resources like SUN® Collision Repair Information.
Complicated and often unfamiliar collision repair processes require the most trusted information to perform safe and accurate procedures. Today’s collision repair technicians must constantly hone their expertise to keep up with vehicle technology. The most up-to-date OEM repair information, insights from other professionals, and software technology are now the tools of the trade. Body shops that invest in and rely on the latest repair information can give drivers the collision auto repair facts and put auto collision repair myths to rest.
Common Myths About Auto Collision Repairs
The constantly changing innovations in vehicle technology make debunking collision repair myths more crucial than ever. At a time when professional technicians must be continually learning and growing their skills, it’s no wonder customers can feel uninformed and uncertain. But body shops that invest in educating their customers with modern auto collision repair facts can put customers’ minds at ease. When you have the facts, it’s easy to dispel persistent auto collision repair myths like fast and easy repairs and others like these.
Auto Body Repair Takes a Long Time
What may seem like a long time to a car owner may not seem long to a collision repair technician. If a process like body repair is as easy as 1-2-3, shouldn’t the process be a short one? Of course. But we know that myth is an outdated view of what is now a very specialized process. Even when customers understand the challenges of modern body repair, their expectations of how fast a repair should take can still be unrealistic.
A common misconception about repairs after an accident is that waiting a long time to get a car back is part of the deal. Some repairs, like damage to ADAS or composite body parts, can take longer than some more common repairs. The advanced technology can require precise repairs to ensure a repair is safe and accurate — not something anyone would want or should hurry through. The severity of the damage, the components involved, and the interconnected wiring can all contribute to how long a repair will take.
Again, most reputable body shops are vested in performing repairs as quickly as possible. Faster repairs equate to more vehicles in the shop and thus more revenue. But a trusted body shop also understands the negative impact on a customer of waiting to get a vehicle back after a wreck. This combination of good business sense and genuine customer care typically means repairs will be completed as fast as possible, within reason of ensuring quality.
While the latest vehicle technology requires the latest repair information for accurate and safe processes, that information can also expedite repairs. A modern body shop with the most up-to-date repair information can streamline processes from diagnostics to the final finish. Yes, there is a lot to know when working in new territory created by the latest innovations. But when that knowledge is readily available, technicians can confidently get up to speed quickly and follow proven processes for timely repairs.
Insurance Companies Decide How Repairs Should Be Completed
It’s no myth that auto insurance companies have strict guidelines as to what they can pay for a specific collision repair. Insurance companies may provide suggestions for a body shop, recommend ways to save on costs, and provide other feedback. However, they don’t have the final say as to where and how a vehicle will be repaired. While the insurance company’s involvement will play a role, car owners have the final decision on how and where the repairs will be performed.
Choosing a reputable collision repair center plays a more prominent role in the final results than insurance companies. A knowledgeable body shop technician understands that costs, safety and accuracy are all important aspects of a successful repair. These professionals use the latest repair software and experience to deliver the most cost-effective and comprehensive results. They follow best practices and rely on OEM repair knowledge to determine the correct procedures and the right parts for the job.
Aftermarket Parts Are Inferior to OEM Parts
The aftermarket vs. OEM parts debate won’t end very soon, but innovations in quality and fit are blurring the lines between OEM and aftermarket quality. OEM parts have been the parts of choice for auto repair for decades. It’s hard to argue with using a part made by the original manufacturer and designed for a perfect fit. The quality is reliable, and often, these parts include a warranty to back it up. But are the more costly OEM parts always the best choice? Not as much as they used to be.
Aftermarket parts are less expensive than OEM parts, which is the primary reason for their popularity. The lower cost can mean no warranty and no guarantee of the quality and fit. Nevertheless, many aftermarket parts manufacturers build high quality, durable, and safe body parts and components. Drivers can find savings and trustworthy repair by choosing a body shop that uses the most up-to-date collision repair information.
When customers trust a body shop and the expertise of the repair technicians, the repair process is smoother for everyone. So, how do drivers know which body shops have earned that trust? That’s easy. The best collision repair centers rely on the most accurate and trusted repair information available to do the job efficiently and correctly. They don’t believe in myths and can help drivers do the same to save them from frustration and harsh expenses, thus beginning the establishment of customer, shop trust.
Auto Collision Repair Facts Can Crush the Myths
Is it a body shop’s responsibility to debunk common collision repair myths? Technically, no. But it is a body shop’s responsibility to build trust with customers. Without customer confidence, every repair can seem to take too long. When customers aren’t informed, they can misinterpret their insurance company’s role in the repair process. If a customer doesn’t understand the differences between OEM and aftermarket parts, they can feel they’ve been overcharged or under-served.
The best body shops invest in innovative technology as advanced as the vehicles they repair. These body shops put that technology to work to create better repair technicians and to educate customers so they can make the most informed decisions. For drivers who want to take the mystery out of collision repair after an accident, only auto collision repair facts and customer-focused body shops will do.
Empower Your Shop to Debunk the Myths
Prepare your auto collision repair shop to well inform customers of their repair needs after an accident. By investing in trusted, industry-leading collision repair information, your technicians will be properly geared for any task at hand as vehicles continue to grow in complexity.
Enhance confidence with SUN Collision, the most advanced collision repair software available, to ensure accuracy and quality in quick repairs. Get your free, no-obligation demo or talk with a collision repair professional at 877-840-1973.
Kiran Wagh serves as Inside Sales Manager for SUN Collision and other Snap-on, Inc. brands, including Mitchell 1. He began his career at Snap-on in 2015 as an inside sales developer for Mitchell 1 and promoted to sales manager in 2019 for SUN Collision. Previously, he worked as a Demand Generation Specialist at Harte Hanks, where he led B2B lead generation campaigns with prominent networking and IT infrastructure companies. Kiran earned his degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Level 1 in 2007 from the Hindustan Aerospace and Engineering college in Maharashtra, India, and later went on to study Information Technology at the Cisco Networking Academy.