If you are sitting with an accident-damaged vehicle, you’re probably wondering, “Now what?” Figuring out what to do in the aftermath of a car accident – no matter how wrecked your car – is going to cause some measure of stress. If you are not insured, you have 3 options: you can have your vehicle repaired, you can sell your damaged car, or, depending on the extent of the damage, you can keep driving it (not a great scenario).
Having your vehicle repaired is probably the go-to option unless the cost of repairs outweighs its value, in which case the smart decision would be to sell it to specialists who buy accident-damaged or non-running cars. But finding a reliable and trustworthy auto repair shop can be challenging.
Due diligence always pays off and being ‘in the know’ will mitigate you being ‘taken for a ride’ and having to fork out more cash than necessary.
#1 Understand the process
Before you even start shopping around for auto repair shop quotes for your damaged car, you need to be aware of the process. The auto repair industry is a complex beast and much hinges on the make and model of your car.
This is typically how the process flows:
- Assessment – the extent of the damage and repairs need to be assessed and quoted as well as the time frame for the repairs (which includes the ordering of parts etc.).
- Insurance – if your car is insured, your insurance company will require a few quotes and the auto repair shop will do its homework to ensure the repairs are covered by your policy.
- Repairs protocol – The auto repair shop will give a breakdown and estimate of the shop repairs according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Quality control – the auto repair shop will commit to performing quality control and industry safety standard checks.
#2 ‘Shop’ around
With step #1 under your belt, you are in a much better position to assess the professionalism of an auto repair shop. This is where word-of-mouth referrals and online reviews all play a key role in determining a repair shop’s reputation.
A reputable repair shop or panel beater will have its industry credentials, its trained technicians’ certifications and its mechanics’ qualifications all on display as well as the appropriate tools and modern equipment to repair your accident-damaged or non-running vehicle accurately.
When it comes to repairing an accident-damaged car, experience counts for a lot and you ideally want an auto repair shop that has been around for a while with a good track record of successfully repairing wrecked cars. A well-established shop will also have the necessary expertise to do a quality repair job.
A clean, organized and well-maintained repair shop is also a good indicator of the level of care and attention that the shop gives its customers’ accident-damaged vehicles.
And when it comes to pricing, a detailed breakdown of parts and labour costs will underscore a repair shop’s professional reputation and transparency.
#3 Check out the warranty
A reliable auto repair shop will offer a warranty on the work they perform. This gives some peace of mind as it means that any ‘after-sales’ issues relating to the repairs will be fixed at no additional charge. A warranty is always a good sign that you can have confidence in the auto repair shop and the quality of their work. Make sure to check the warranty and ‘Ts and Cs’ before agreeing to any repairs.
#4 Have your repair shop on ‘speed dial’
Customer service ‘comms’ is a critical measure of the trustworthiness and transparency of an auto-repair shop. Good communication will include timeous information about any delays, the reasons for the delay, general updates and a progress report. If your calls are being ignored and timeline promises are not being kept, you should start getting worried.
#5 Prioritise location and convenience
Reputation, certification and pricing are all well and good, but the convenience of the location of a repair shop also plays a role in your decision-making process. Once you have your shortlist, a repair shop that is conveniently located to you is probably the way to go as you will be sitting without your normal means of transport. They may even offer a shuttle service to your nearby area.
A car is a big ticket item and if it has incurred accident damage, hail damage or is presenting with serious engine trouble or mechanical issues, it needs to be repaired properly and professionally to ensure your subsequent safety on the road.
Never just accept the lowest repair quote and always do your homework before you hand over your car to an auto repair shop.
