Here in Pennsylvania, we see body shops all over that claim they know how to repair your car. But what you may not realize as a customer seeking car repair, there is a major difference between a technician that knows how to “fix” your car and who knows how to repair your car the right way. We at 3D Collision Centers are here to tell Pennsylvania drivers the difference between an OEM Certified Technician and someone who is, well, “experienced.” Car repair has had significant changes over the past few years, especially when it comes to insurance companies pressuring people like you to go where they choose. But no matter what an insurance company may tell you, you get to decide where your car gets repaired.
What Does An OEM Certified Technician Do?
So, what is the real difference between an OEM Certified Technician and the average repair technician? Well, for starters, an OEM repair technician will create a unique repair plan for each and every vehicle that comes into the shop. Most technicians will get right to work on a repair, out of “experience” of performing that same repair countless times. However, the best body shops know no car repair is ever the same and this type of lazy repair practice will actually put your safety at risk. What you may not realize is Pennsylvania is one of the several states in the country that don’t require repair technicians to have a license to work on your car. An ASE certification is normal for every repair technician, but not needing a license means they are not under any legal obligation to perform repairs in a specific way. This is why it’s critical you take your car to be repaired somewhere that knows the importance of OEM repairs for your car.
What’s Different Between An OEM Certified Technician And An Average Technician?
Take a look at this chart below on steel repairs for Honda and Acura vehicles:
Body shops that are working under contract with insurance companies are required to perform repairs in unrealistic deadlines. But to keep the insurance company satisfied, technicians will typically cut corners in the repair process to meet deadlines. Quite possibly the biggest corner they cut is neglecting to look up OEM repair procedures for every repair.
The above chart showed they are eight different types of steel on Honda and Acura vehicles. Some can be heated while others can’t and some are able to be hammered back into shape while others will actually stress crack if hit with body hammers. This is just a small example of how critical it is for technicians to follow OEM repair procedures. Imagine if that was your Honda or Acura and a technician heated an area that wasn’t supposed to be heated.
Let’s say a repair technician had this chart memorized, they still would need to check the database to learn what steel is used where on that particular vehicle. Visually, these cars all look the same when they’re being repaired, especially when they are painted.
The OEM certified technician has easy access to this data because the shop owner has made that investment in the business and the technicians. They refuse to sacrifice your safety just to save some time.
No car repair is ever the same, regardless of how many Hondas or Acuras a technician might have repaired in their career. If a shop isn’t OEM certified, your car will never be the same after the repair. The car’s value decreases, parts won’t fit, and the ADAS features might not perform its designated functions. Not to mention, your safety will be at risk if the ADAS features no longer work properly.
An OEM certified technician has taken the time to get the additional training so they know how to repair your car correctly. They know car repair is in a constant state of change and that following what the manufacturer instructs for their vehicles is the only way cars should be repaired.
Who In Pennsylvania Is An OEM Certified Repair Shop?
We at 3D Collision Centers know the importance of following OEM repair procedures for each one of our unique repairs. There are no shortcuts done in the repair process here, no matter how experienced our technicians may be. Each one of our technicians has gone through extensive training and are I-CAR Gold Class certified, which is the highest level of certification an auto repair technician can receive. We follow OEM repair procedures and aim to give you the best possible repair for your car. We will also work with you throughout the entire repair process to ensure a stress-free repair!
We also know you have several choices on where to take your car to be repaired in Pennsylvania. Luckily, we have 7 different locations across Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester counties. We want to make the repair process as stress-free as possible for you, which is why we feel confident you can trust us with your auto body repair needs.
Feel free to give us a call at anytime at (877)-692-7776. Or, for a list of the numbers for each of our locations, click here. We look forward to hearing from you!
