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After a collision, your car will need an auto body repair to restore both its look and function. But how do you know if the shop you’ve chosen has done a good job on the repairs? Follow these steps when inspecting your vehicle to make sure the damage has been fixed.

How to Check Your Car After a Repair

1. Inspect Auto Body Repairs in the Sunlight

Small flaws which might not be obvious under garage lighting are often highly visible under sunlight. Take your car outside to look for subtle dents, texture changes, color differences, and any other flaws in the area repaired. Even under direct light, there should be no visible flaws.

2. Open & Close

Make sure to test the doors, hood, trunk, and windows which were damaged or near the site of the incident. Open and close them, listening for the sounds of parts rubbing together and feeling for any resistance. They should open smoothly and close securely, just as they did before the accident.

3. Look at the Gaps

The edges between the body panels should line up neatly, with no uneven or overly wide gaps. The same applies to the distance between tires and fenders—it should be the same on each side. If you find areas where panels butt together or something is misaligned, the auto body repair will need to be redone.

4. Check Hoses & Wires

auto body repairPop open the hood and look for belts, hoses, or wires which may have disconnected in the crash or during repairs. If you see anything which is not secured, have the mechanic fix it before you leave. Some wires, like those that connect to the headlights, aren’t easily accessible, so test the lights to make sure they’re working correctly and aligned well.

5. Ask for a Report

If there was damage to the frame of your vehicle, the shop should have created a spec report detailing both its original condition and state after straightening. Have the mechanic explain the details and keep a printed copy.

 

For quality, trustworthy auto body repairs which will pass every test, choose Collision Masters in Fairbanks, AK. They’ll work to ensure all your needs are met, including providing a wait time estimate and online status updates, helping find a rental, and getting you home after dropping the car off. While you’re there, ask them about their Detail for Life auto detailing program. For any questions or to make an appointment, call (907) 451-8456 or contact them online.

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