Auto Body Shop
Auto Body Shop – OEM certification is given to auto body shops by car manufacturers after the shop goes through a specific certification process. But what does that process involve, and why is it important?
In the automotive industry, the pressure to meet high standards of quality and safety has increased dramatically over the past few years. As these obligations are placed on car manufacturers, the same pressures are placed on auto body shops to uphold these standards when repairing vehicles. This is where OEM certification comes in.
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OEM certification can mean a few things, depending on which manufacturer is issuing the certification. Generally, it ensures that the body shop concerned has received training to understand the specific difficulties of the manufacturer’s vehicles and that only OEM parts are used to repair those vehicles. Most certification programs have a representative from the manufacturer train shop technicians on specific makes and models. In addition to these basics, manufacturers may require the store to meet certain additional service, safety, equipment and/or educational standards.
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According to the automaker’s records, there were less than 350 body shops in North America with some type of OEM certification in 2012. Now, there are ten times more certified stores.
The main reason why the demand for OEM certification is growing is that cars are becoming more technologically advanced and require more specific training to repair. Now, something as simple as a fender bender may require bumper repairs in addition to bumper sensors or a camera connected to a computer system, and technicians must prepare for these more complex repairs.
Despite the growing popularity and need, many auto shops do not pursue certification because it is too expensive, not realizing that it could cost them more in terms of lost business or dissatisfied customers. In addition to the high upfront cost of stores, warranties can be expensive to maintain, as they often need to be updated every year or so to ensure that certified stores are updated to new models and features from manufacturers, and often require upgrades. costs in terms of special equipment, additional certifications and more.
The nature of automobile manufacturing and repair has changed. In the past, a car dealership could rely on customer service and reputation to drive sales and retain customers. Now, savvy buyers know to look for these additional guarantees.
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While still important, providing top-notch customer service and managing your store’s reputation with integrity and professionalism can only go so far. These things are important to buyers, but they want to know that their car is in the best hands. OEM certification lets customers know that the technicians handling their vehicle are the most qualified. OEM certification also promotes better quality repairs, which keeps customers happy and helps the store maintain their good reputation. Certification is a sign that the shop is committed to continuing education and providing its customers with the highest quality repairs.
At Schaefer Autobody, we are committed to providing you with the best accident repair experience. We believe that OEM certification is an investment that the shop makes in itself, in its employees and in its preparation for customers. Schaefer Autobody currently has OEM factory certification from BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Acura, Infiniti, Nissan and Tesla.
Having OEM certification is something that not only adds value to our customers’ repairs, but also helps us attract and retain the best technicians. The best technicians are those who share our commitment to quality repairs and continuing education. With OEM certification, Schaefer Autobody is equipped to provide customers with repairs that meet not only their standards, but the standards of our shop and the auto industry as a whole. If you bought a new car, there may be a debate going on. every time the car needs repairs. Should you go to the dealer for repairs or go to an independent shop? The debate never changes among car owners, and it seems that half of the people you ask say they are dealers and the other half swear by independent shops. There are risks and benefits to both options, and which option you decide to go with is entirely up to your personal preference.
The first question people often have is whether or not dealers will repair accidents. Dealers will always have their own service department and trained technicians hired to handle all different types of collision repairs for your make and model. However, some dealers will outsource bodywork to third-party shops, usually due to time and cost.
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Dealers are very good at quality repair work, but when it comes to physical work, such as that required after a collision, they tend to focus more on the time it takes to repair the vehicle than the correct repair of the vehicle.
Most dealers do physical work on the makes and models they sell. Some vendors will exclude this physical activity if they do not have the current ability to complete it. Many salespeople are under a lot of pressure to get the job done quickly. For dealers, service and repair charges are often tied to the department estimating the time it will take to repair the vehicle.
This encourages service departments in businesses to be quick to fix. If the technician can complete the job quickly, under the estimated hours, the seller makes a profit. And at a time when the bargins margins are stressed by online competitors (Carvana), more informed customers (Autotrader, TrueCar), and car manufacturers, they are looking to recover this lost profit through their service departments.
Technicians in the industry often have factory training and are well versed in how and what models are sold at the dealership. But are they better than an independent body shop? Not often. Independent body shop technicians often have the same factory training as retail technicians, and may be more skilled if they have been in the business for a long time.
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Working on a range of makes and models at an independent body shop gives these technicians a wide range of experience and technical knowledge when it comes to repairing any vehicle. Body shops can be certified as Contact Centers for certain makes and models, meaning they have been independently certified by that automaker for repairs. For example, Subaru, Honda, Volkswagen, and Tesla all require special training and certification to complete certain repairs.
The 3 main factors in deciding whether to take your vehicle to your local auto repair shop or dealer are:
As far as the price of repairs, independent stores have the best deals. On average, people who go to auto dealerships to fix their cars end up paying more for those repairs. Independent shops can help car owners save money on repairs. However, people who go to dealers report that although they pay more than the average, the repair comes from more experienced workers, as we discussed, this is not always the case.
Arguments about experience and knowledge of mechanics on both sides seem to go back and forth. However, one thing that cannot be denied is that the employees at the dealership work almost exclusively on certain brands of cars, while independent auto repair businesses work on a wider variety. Dealers may have more information about that car, and, in turn, can do a better job because of that information. However, it is not always a guarantee that autonomous machines will know less. Many independent stores around the United States have the blue seal of excellence, which means they have passed several exams that confirm their status. They also need to be checked every few years.
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While many garages have access to the parts needed for the specific repair of your car, some parts are easily available from dealers, due to their focus on those makes and models. They are more focused on specific cars, and only work with those cars, which means they know all about the special parts and their availability.
Although there are costs and benefits no matter where you go, ultimately it’s your personal choice as to where to take your car for auto repair. Dealers may have more information about your particular car, but independent shops may be less expensive. The important thing is to do your research before making any decisions and choose the option that works best for you.
If you’re in the Portland, OR area and need body work done on your vehicle, consider choosing Mackin Auto Body to get your collision repair done right, the first time. Our network of 8 auto dealerships has served the Portland community since 1945. Call us for an estimate, or read our thousands of reviews here.
Chris Roberts is the Director of Operations at Mackin’s Auto Body, where he has been making an impact since 2018. With a conflict resolution practice that began in 1999, Chris brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role. Prior to his current position, he served as Assistant Operations Manager at Mackin’s Auto Body from 2013 to 2017. Chris holds a BA from Northwest Nazarene University. When he is not sure about everything