When you take your vehicle to an autobody repair shop following an accident, you expect your vehicle to be repaired and for it to be in pre-accident condition. Unfortunately, things do not always go to plan, and not every autobody repair shop is the same. If you have found that your car is not up to your expectations after an accident, you may be wondering what to do. Here is some information that should help you if your car was not properly repaired after an accident.
Signs Your Vehicle Was Not Properly Repaired
Prior to signing for your car at an autobody shop, walk around the exterior of your car and inspect it. If you notice that the paint color does not match, if you see any dings or dents, or if something simply does not look right, bring it to the staff’s attention immediately. Once you begin driving your car, you may notice other signs that the vehicle was not fixed properly, such as your car pulling to one side instead of driving straight, hearing grinding, squealing, or squeaking noises, or seeing fluid under the car in your driveway.
Request a Post Repair Inspection
If you suspect your vehicle was not repaired correctly, you should request a post-repair inspection. You can have this done by the autobody repair shop who completed the work or another repair shop. A repair shop will take a look at the work that was done and tell you if the work was done correctly or not, and what work still needs to be done. Most people go back to the shop that originally did the work, but then go to a third-party shop if they want a second opinion.
When You Can Take Your Car to Another Auto Repair Shop
If the work was not correctly completed on your car, you may be wondering when and if you can take it to another autobody repair shop for further repairs. Unfortunately, there is not a straightforward answer to this. In many cases, the insurance company will require you to try to work out the issues with the original body shop. However, if problems persist, you may be able to convince the insurance company to let you go elsewhere. If you hit a standstill, you can file a complaint with the Bureau of Auto Repair who can assist you with getting the repairs you need, either from the original body shop or a completely different one.
If your car has been damaged in an automobile accident and you are in need of autobody repair, Certified Collision Center is here to help. We guarantee all of our work and we have high ratings from our customers. You can trust us to get the job done. We have eight convenient locations throughout the central valley, including Tracy, Manteca, Stockton, Oakdale, Modesto, South Sacramento, Lodi, and Galt. We also work with your insurance company to authorize the repairs and get the work done quickly. Contact us and let us get your car back to pre-accident shape.