We are often asked how to know if your vehicle has not been fully repaired. It is a common occurrence for us to inspect vehicles that have been repaired by other facilities. And, unfortunately, it’s all too common that what we find is poor workmanship and neglected necessary repairs. This article will showcase one particular instance of a failed repair.
When people bring their recently repaired vehicles to us for a post repair inspection, they already suspect that something isn’t right with the repair that they received. The first thing that we do is listen to their concerns. In most cases, people know their own vehicles much better than technicians, and we can learn a lot just by listening to the guest. We then review their estimate, which can tell us a lot about what has been included… (or excluded).
Then, after we’ve heard their concerns, we do a visual inspection of our own. These inspections usually tell us all we need to know about the quality of repair performed (or not) by the other shop. Here is one such case study:
How to know when your vehicle is not fully repaired?
A visual inspection goes a long way. When brackets are broken, bolts are missing, hoses are not connected, or holes have to be drilled out to make a part fit, (as is illustrated in the images above) – it’s always a solid indicator of a poor or possibly dangerous repair.
If you notice a rattling sound that wasn’t there before your accident… pay attention to it.
In the end, common sense rules the day. If you feel like your vehicle hasn’t been repaired properly, it’s wise to contact a trusted source for a second opinion. If Nylund’s Collision Center may be of assistance, we stand ready to serve. Contact us any time.
PS: This vehicle was deemed so poorly repaired, that after our inspection and findings, the insurance company agreed that it was a total loss.