What You Should Know About Original Equipment Manufacturer Certified Repair Shops
The collision repair industry is huge, and as cars grow more complex, repair shops and technicians need to stay on top of the latest procedures and technologies. Although there is no standard certification or requirement that makes any one shop better than any other shop all the time, there are times when a vehicle repair requires specific knowledge that one shop or technician may have and another doesn’t.
You may have heard of an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM. Original equipment manufacturer refers to the factory that produced the original parts that your vehicle was made of. Collision shops can also obtain a certification from an OEM, and this certification can play a role when you’re selecting a shop.
What does it mean when a shop is OEM certified?
An OEM certified repair shop has been through an OEM certification program. While different OEM’s, or vehicle manufacturers, may have slightly different requirements for a shop to become certified, these programs are usually costly and time consuming, and any certified shop has made that investment and places value on the quality of their work.
What are OEM certification requirements?
Different OEMs have different requirements, but usually certification programs have high costs. They may require on site training, either at the OEM location or at the shop with a certified trainer. Usually, OEM certified shops are required to use OEM parts, meaning that any parts replaced on a vehicle repaired in a certified shop will be the same parts, produced by the same place, as the original vehicle.
Do I need to find an OEM certified shop?
The purpose of OEM certifications is to keep shops and repairs at the same standards as auto manufacturers. However, there are so many different OEMs, and refinish companies are also beginning to have their own certifications. Certifications are also expensive, and can raise the cost for consumers. So, depending on your repair needs and your budget, different shops with different certifications – or without certifications – may be the best option for you.
What are the benefits of OEM certifications?
To put it simply, OEM certified shops are held to standards similar standards when repairing a vehicle that original manufacturers are held to when building the vehicle. The same parts will be used, the same safety, emissions, environmental, and quality practices will be used. OEM certified shops already have standard procedures in place that meet OEM requirements to obtain parts, make repairs, and get you on your way.