Month: May 2019

What Does MOPAR Stand For?

Posted on by Cline Collision Center

At Cline Auto Collision, we’re a MOPAR auto body shop, but what does that actually mean?

What is MOPAR?

MOPAR was named by combining the words “motor” and “parts.” MOPAR is the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FAC) Global Service and Parts division that’s responsible for manufacturing and distributing authentic replacement parts, components and accessories for Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge vehicles. Despite being a department within the Fiat Chrysler organization, many car owners refer to all vehicles produced by them as MOPAR.

What is a MOPAR Shop?

As a MOPAR auto body shop, this means we only use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts for all FAC repairs. The label of MOPAR is the same as saying that we’re FAC certified and means FAC has acknowledged that we meet their strict standards for repairing all makes and models manufactured by them. We make sure not only to use OEM parts but also to follow factory approved procedures and recommended equipment for every FAC repair job.

Why Use MOPAR Parts?

It’s crucial to use MOPAR parts for your FAC vehicles because every part is engineered specifically for your car. While aftermarket or generic parts can cut costs significantly, they may be of poor quality, fit irregularly, or may even potentially alter the appearance or structural integrity of your vehicle. Using MOPAR parts will ensure you receive high-quality repairs that restore your vehicle to factory standards while keeping your vehicle safe and reliable. If you’re in need of repairs for your FAC vehicle, contact Cline Collision Center! We’re proud to be a MOPAR auto body shop offering superior repairs that will make your vehicle look and feel like new.

Do Insurance Companies Have to Use OEM Parts?

Posted on by Cline Collision Center

Insurance companies are a business, and like many businesses, they’re interested in maximizing profitability. This means that when insurers contract with auto body shops, there may be a tendency for them to urge auto shops to use generic parts in an effort to cut costs – particularly if you were the one at fault for the accident. In some instances, insurers may even offer auto repair shops kickbacks for using non-OEM parts. Don’t assume that your insurance coverage automatically covers OEM parts; most likely it doesn’t.

Can I still Use OEM Parts if They’re Not Covered?

If OEM parts are a deal-breaker for you, it’s recommended you find an insurer that covers them, however, even if yours does cover them, they may not be an automatic option on a standard policy. You’ll most likely need to request the coverage or even pay an additional fee. Then there’s the issue of older vehicles or discontinued models; there simply may no longer be OEM parts available. In this case, a body shop only has options to use aftermarket or used parts, regardless of the coverage you have.

If OEM parts aren’t covered by your insurance, you don’t necessarily have to go with aftermarket parts; you have the option of paying the difference between the cost of OEM and aftermarket. Your insurance will cover the price of aftermarket parts, and you can tell us that you want OEM parts for your repair instead. You’ll be fully responsible for covering the difference in cost, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the parts used in the repair are specific to your individual make and model. The cost difference can sometimes be significant, so be sure to budget accordingly for the work that you’re having done.

If you have any questions about the insurance process, requesting OEM parts, or about OEM parts in general, give us a call today! We’re always happy to address any questions you may have.

What is an OEM Authorization Certificate?

Posted on by Cline Collision Center

If you’re searching the net for auto body shops, you may have noticed that some of them say they’re OEM certified. There used to be two types of shops you could go to for repairs: auto dealerships and independent body shops. The main difference was that dealerships were typically pricier, but they offered higher quality repairs than body shops. There’s now a third choice: OEM certified or authorized body shops.

OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer; when a shop receives an OEM Authorization Certificate, it means that the auto body shop has been recognized by manufacturers as working within their repair parameters. This means the shop uses only factory-approved parts, follows factory-directed procedures for repairs, and has the proper equipment to complete the repairs within factory specifications.  It also means that all the technicians are fully trained in all aspects of OEM procedures.

Why does being OEM certified make a difference for your repairs? Our technicians are experts on each of the manufacturers, makes and models that we’re OEM certified to work on. They understand the different materials used by each manufacturer, the best tool for the job, and the best procedure to use to make a high-quality repair. For example, the Ford F-150 has an aluminum frame; aluminum requires different equipment to make repairs than a vehicle that uses a steel frame. Since we’re OEM certified by Ford, we have the proper equipment to perform an ideal repair, returning your vehicle back to factory standards. 

At Cline Collision Center, we’re OEM certified to work on a Ford, Fiat, Chrysler, Hyundai, Nissan, Kia, and Honda. This means each of these manufacturers has fully recognized that we meet or exceed all OEM repair standards set forth by them. Our technicians are highly trained on OEM procedures and are certified through the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (II-CAR), considered the gold standard of auto body certifications. 

If you have any questions about OEM authorization certification and how it may relate to repairs your vehicle needs, feel free to give us a call. Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.