Pieschel's ConsultingHome

• Aftermarket Parts.
• Borescope and Elcometer.
• Certificate of Proper Repairs.
• Diminished Value.
• Insurance Jargon.
• LVI - Low Velocity Impacts.
• Quality of Repairs.
• Repair Rating Levels.
• Repair Monitoring Authorization.
• Total Loss.
• Used Parts.

Quality of Repairs

• REPAIR LEVEL 1 : True Pre-loss Condition

  True pre-loss condition exists when a damaged vehicle has been repaired to pre-loss condition in all categories of function, appearance, safety and warranty. All original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts, all known procedures, and only the finest materials were used in the repair. An independent expert has examined the vehicle, and the expert concludes that no flaws or defects remain. The same expert has concluded that (1) the paintwork has been restored to factory specifications and will age and wear in the same manner undetectable from paint on the undamaged portion of the vehicle, and (2) all structural repairs have been performed to factory specifications.

  If the vehicle had been damaged structurally, actual after-repair testing has documented that its frame and unibody structure have been restored to:

  1. Factory specifications and tolerances throughout the entire vehicle.
  2. Factory strength and rigidity to secure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact in the event of a subsequent accident.
  3. The vehicle has been disassembled, electronically diagnosed, and examined closely to identify and determine any evidence of kinetic damage caused by the impact in areas such as electronics, seals, bearings, mechanical, body and structural components.

  Experts would conclude that no area of the vehicle shows that this vehicle had been damaged. The vehicle is indistinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model, in the opinion of all automotive experts that may view the vehicle, and it has maintained all its full remaining factory warranties. This vehicle will function, perform and wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.

• REPAIR LEVEL 2 : Repaired to the "Best of Reasonable Human Ability"

  Repaired to the "best of reasonable human ability" means the repairers used all OEM parts, most available procedures and the finest materials to provide a high quality level of repairs. An independent expert has concluded that no flaws or defects remain. The expert also concluded that evidence of the repair process exists, identifying the previous damage to the trained eye and subsequent buyers. The expert has determined that the paintwork has been restored to factory specifications, but no conclusive evidence indicates that it will age and wear in a manner undetectable from wear and tear on the undamaged portion of the vehicle. If the vehicle was damaged structurally:

  1. Actual repair testing has not been performed on the entire structure.
  2. There is no evidence that the vehicle's entire frame, and/or unibody structure have been restored to all factory specifications, tolerances and to factory strength and rigidity to ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact in the event of a subsequent accident.
  3. The vehicle has not been disassembled, electronically diagnosed, and examined closely to identify and assess any evidence of kinetic damage caused from the impact in areas such as seals, bearings, mechanical, body and structure components. As a result, there is an absence of evidence that all accident-related damage has been identified or repaired. Some of the areas of the vehicle reveal its prior damage. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of the automotive expert that viewed the vehicle, and it may not maintain its full remaining factory warranties. This vehicle is not in pre-loss condition although it may appear so to the untrained eye. There is no credible evidence that this vehicle will function, perform and wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
• REPAIR LEVEL 3 : Repaired to "Industry Standard"

  Repaired to "industry standard" of the collision industry exists when the repairers used many of the available procedures, parts, and materials to provide a modest level of repair. An independent expert has concluded that minor flaws or defects remain. Evidence of the repair process exists, identifying the previous damage to even the untrained eyes. The paintwork has not been restored to factory specifications; from a distance or in low-light conditions, however, it may appear acceptable to undiscerning consumers. There is no conclusive evidence that the paint repair will age and wear in a manner undetectable from paint on the undamaged portion of the vehicle.

  In the event of structural damage and repair:

  1. Actual after-repair testing has not been performed.
  2. There is no evidence that the vehicle's entire frame, and/or unibody structure have been restored to all factory specifications, tolerances and to factory strength and rigidity to ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact in the event of a subsequent accident.
  3. Many areas of the vehicle reveal its previous damage. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of the automotive expert that viewed the vehicle, and it may not maintain its full remaining factory warranties. This vehicle may not function, perform and wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
• REPAIR LEVEL 4 : Repaired to "Industry Sub-standard" (Most Common)

  Repair to 'industry Sub-standard" exists when repairers used only some of the available procedures, parts and limited materials to provide the minimum level of repair they believe an average consumer's untrained eye will accept. An independent expert has concluded that major and minor flaws and/or defects remain. Clear evidence of the repair process exists, including weld burns, missing paint on interior surfaces, and bodywork easily visible to even the untrained eye. The paintwork has not been restored to factory specifications; there is a clear difference between the original paintwork and that of the repaired areas. This difference can be color mismatch, texture, or material quality. There is no conclusive evidence it will age and wear in a manner undetectable from paint on the undamaged portion of the vehicle.

  In the event of structural damage and repair:

  1. Actual after-repair testing has not been performed.
  2. There is visible evidence that the vehicle's frame and/or unibody structure have not been restored to factory tolerances and to factory strength and rigidity to ensure deployment of all and any SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact in the event of a subsequent accident.
  3. Indeed, some experts would express concern that the structural repair will not respond properly to subsequent impact(s) to protect the occupants of the vehicle or ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact.
  4. Many areas of the vehicle identify it as having been damaged. It is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact year, make and model in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle and it may not maintain its full remaining factory warranties.
  5. The vehicle will not function, perform or wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
• REPAIR LEVEL 5 : Poorly Repaired

  A vehicle is poorly repaired, below even "industry sub-standard," when repairers used few of the procedures, substandard parts and limited materials, yielding a minimum level of repair. Even laypersons and non-automotive experts can clearly tell that the vehicle was damaged and has been poorly repaired. Independent experts would unanimously conclude that numerous major and minor flaws remain. Clear evidence of the repair process exists, even to the untrained eyes, including weld burns, defective structural and body repairs, missing paint on interior surfaces, and easily identifiable bodywork. The paintwork is visibly flawed and clearly has not been restored to factory specification or appearance. There are obvious differences in color match, texture, and/or material quality. There is no conclusive evidence that the paint will age and wear in a manner undetectable from that on undamaged parts of the vehicle.

  If structural damage occurred, actual after-repair testing has not been performed, and:

  1. There is clear visual evidence that the vehicle's frame and unibody structure have not been restored to factory tolerances and specifications.
  2. Experts are seriously concerned that the structural repair will not respond to subsequent impact(s) to protect the occupants of the vehicle and/or ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact.
  3. Most repair areas clearly identify the vehicle as having been damaged and poorly repaired. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it may not maintain its full remaining factory warranties.
  4. This vehicle will not function, perform or wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
• REPAIR LEVEL 6 : Poorly Repaired and Unsafe to Operate

  A vehicle is poorly repaired and unsafe to operate when repairers used few of the available procedures, parts and materials. Even laypersons and non-automotive experts can clearly tell the vehicle has been damaged and poorly repaired. Independent experts would unanimously conclude that numerous major and minor flaws remain. Some defects would render the vehicle unsafe to operate on public roads and represent a clear safety hazard to occupants. Clear evidence of the defective repair process and collision damage exists, even to the untrained eyes, including weld burns and body repairs, missing paint on interior surfaces, and easily identifiable bodywork. The paintwork is visibly flawed and clearly has not been restored to factory specifications or appearance. There are obvious differences in color match, texture, and/or material quality.

  If structural repairs occurred they have obviously been poorly done and have not restored the vehicle to pre-loss safety performance and:

  1. There is visual evidence that the vehicle's frame and/or unibody structure have not been restored to factory tolerances.
  2. Experts are seriously concerned that the structural repair will not respond properly to subsequent impact(s) to protect the occupants of the vehicle or ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact.
  3. Most of the repaired area clearly indefinites the vehicle as having been damaged and very poorly repaired by any standard. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model in the opinion of automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle and it may not maintain its full remaining factory warranties.
  4. The vehicle will not function, perform or wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
• REPAIR LEVEL 7 : Very Poorly Repaired, Unsafe to operate and Impossible to Restore to Pre-loss condition.

  A very poorly repaired vehicle results when incompetent or untrained persons used few of the procedures, parts and materials available to the collision industry. Independent experts would unanimously conclude that numerous major and minor flaws remain. The vehicle is so poorly repaired that corrective measures are beyond consideration; this vehicle is incapable of being logically restored to pre-loss condition. The remaining defects would render the vehicle unsafe to operate on public roads and represent a clear safety hazard to its occupants. Clear evidence of the damage and defective repair process exists, easily identifiable even to the untrained eye, including weld burns, defective body repairs and missing paint on interior surfaces. The paintwork is visibly flawed and clearly hasn't been restored to factory specifications or appearance. There are obvious differences in color match, texture, and/or material quality.

  If structural repairs occurred they have obviously been poorly done and have not restored the vehicle to pre-loss safety and performance and:

  1. There is visual evidence that the vehicle's frame and/or unibody structure have not been restored to factory tolerances.
  2. Experts are seriously concerned that the structural repair will not respond to subsequent impact(s) to protect the occupants of the vehicle or ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact.
  3. Most of the repaired area clearly identifies the vehicle as having been damaged and very poorly repaired by any standard. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact year, make and model in the opinion of automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.
  4. This vehicle is unsafe to drive and will not function, perform or wear in a manner even remotely similar to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model. This type of vehicle should be scrapped and permanently removed from the road.

ADD TO REPAIR LEVELS 3 THROUGH 7 WHERE IMITATION COLLISION REPAIR PART USAGE WAS IDENTIFIED

For this repair, the insurance company specified imitation part usage, and the repair used them in the repair of the subject vehicle. These parts have been determined by experts to be inferior to OEM parts in many respects. Imitation parts may void factory warranties on the imitation component itself and on all other related components that fail due to the imitation part. Imitation parts have no effective recall system, should the manufacturer discover a design or material defect after installation. Imitation parts have been found not to be of like kind and quality in fit, finish, warranty and performance; as a result, using them may cause additional loss of value and additional potential safety hazards.

Note. Imitation collision repair parts usage would render the vehicle ineligible for repair levels 1 and 2.

EYE ON COLLISION REPAIRS IS A 100% CANADIAN OWNED AND OPERATED INDEPENDENT CONSUMER SERVICES COMPANY AND NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY BODYSHOP OR INSURANCE COMPANIES.