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.
