The Advantages of Having a Website For Your Auto Body Shop

If you work in the collision repair industry, you have probably gotten by without a website easily in the past. After all, if a client wants to utilize your service to have their car repaired, they must physically bring their vehicle to the shop. There is no such thing as online car repair! Despite this, there is still the fact that customers will not come to your door unless they know you offer reliable service. An auto body shop website is the perfect way to advertise your company.

Many times, a business in the collision repair industry will have promotional services during certain times of the year or other special events. Traditionally, expensive ads could be placed in the phonebook or newspaper, but when you have a website, you can add your special pricing and deals with a few clicks of the mouse. Then, when customers come to your site for contact or location information, they instantly find out about the deals your auto body shop is offering.

People may search the internet for locations of a nearby auto body shop. Fewer and fewer people turn to the yellow pages for information, phone numbers and locations anymore. Your website need not be anything overly complicated, but it should give a concise review of what services you provide your customers with. Pricing is also important to include. Having one succinct overview of your services is much less expensive than auto body marketing with traditional print advertising. This is very important for any company, but most especially small, locally owned businesses. It is a perfect compromise because paying a hosting company to maintain a website is much less expensive than other forms of advertising, plus your reach is far more expansive.

When you take advantage of the great benefits of the internet, auto body marketing is significantly simplified. Many clients will respond positively to your online presence. There are easy ways to utilize auto body marketing both online and off that can get interested customers to your website. When they see the benefits you contribute to the collision repair industry, they will become one step closer to becoming a paying customer. If you come through on your promises, a paying customer will likely become a loyal returning customer. This is the goal of every auto body shop. The next step after getting a website set up is to work on your auto body marketing techniques.

Auto Repair: Options for Paying Your Bill

What are the options for paying your auto repair bill? Do you need to completely drain your checking account in order to take care of the cost? Every single day people walk into the service department and find out that they need major repairs to keep their vehicle running. It can be overwhelming and stressful if you aren't prepared. Check out these options for taking care of your bill.

Pay Cash

If you have the money, consider paying cash for the auto repair. You can get the best deal and avoid interest if you pay the entire bill upfront. If you don't have enough in your checking account, you may need to turn to your savings account to handle things. Many people have established an emergency fund for these situations. While you are going to be short on money in your savings account, you won't have any debt hanging over your head.

Put it on the Card

Is there any benefit to putting the cost of the auto repair on a credit card? If you have a card that offers reward points, you can take care of the bill and benefit from the points. Most shops take a variety of different credit cards and you can get your car back as soon as the work is complete. While interest will accrue if you wait to pay the balance, you will still be in possession of your vehicle and you can attempt to pay things off as soon as possible.

Take Out a Small Loan

Payday loans are popular options for people that do not have the cash for an auto repair and don't want to put the balance on a credit card. If you are just short on cash and you will have the money in a few days, consider a small, short-term loan. While you are going to pay a fee for the loan, you are still able to pay your bill and continue using your vehicle to get back and forth to work. If you are worried about leaving yourself without money to pay for the necessities, borrow the amount and pay it back as soon as possible.

Skip the Repairs and Save Up

Sometimes an auto repair needs to be handled right away. When it comes to brakes, you do not want to take a chance. On the other hand, there are some repairs that can wait until the next time you come in for an oil change or other maintenance. Talk with your advisor and get an estimate before leaving the shop. Then, make it a point to save up the full amount before going back to have the work completed.

Explanation of MOT Tests

The MOT (Ministry of Transport test) is an annual examination and test of some of the vital constituents of a motor vehicle that make it road worthy. In this article we explain more about the test, why you need it, when you need it, and where to go to get it.

The MOT is a regular test carried out on cars, light goods vehicles, and motorbikes vehicles every year in the UK to test their condition and safety. It is required first when the car turns three years old, then annually for the rest of its life. There are a few exceptions to this.

History of the MOT Test

MOT tests were started in 1960 to help govern and safeguard drivers of that time. In the 1940s and 1950s many vehicles on the road were old, many having been damaged during the war, and were quit unsafe. Regular servicing and safety checks were not a major consideration, and many vehicles were deemed dangerous.

In 1962 it became necessary to have a valid MOT in order to get a tax disc for your vehicle.

Initially the MOT test was called the Ten Year Test, in which all vehicles over 10 years old had to be tested but in 1967 this changed to vehicles over three years old.

In 1968 the depth of tyre tread was added to the test, with a minimum of 1mm across 75% of the tyre. This has now been increased to 1.6mm for the same width.

Gradually more and more items were added to the MOT Test list including the exhaust, horn, and chassis condition. In 1991 emissions testing came into force for petrol engine cars as well as the addition of rear seat belt checks.

In 1993 the MOT test was extended significantly and introduced the testing of mirrors, fog lamps, and more smaller items.

Test Classification

Different types of vehicle are classified by weight and number of passengers as follows:

Class I - Mopeds and motorcycles up to 200cc

Class II - Motorcycles over 200cc and/or with side car

Class III - 3 wheeled vehicles up to 450kg unladen weight

Class IV - Cars (up to 8 passenger seats), motor caravans, 3 wheeled vehicles over 450kg unladen weight, Quads (max unladen weight 400kg - for goods vehicles 550kg and max net power of 15kw), Dual Purpose vehicles, Private hire and public service vehicles (up to 8 seats), ambulances and taxis, private passenger vehicles and ambulances (9-12 passenger seats)

Class V - More than 13 passengers

Class 7 - Light goods vehicles over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg DGW)

HGV Test - Goods vehicles over 3,500kg and trailers over 1,020kg unladen weight or 3,500kg GVW if fitted with over-run brakes

When getting your vehicle its MOT be sure to keep the certificate safe as you will need it to get vehicle tax. Check how often the MOT will need to be carried out and mark the date in your diary or calendar. Remember an MOT doesn't cover every aspect of the vehicle and you will need to carry out regular maintenance such as topping up fluids and tyres as well as regular servicing by a qualified mechanic as per your manual.

All Auto Repair Shops Are Not Created Equal

Owning a vehicle can be a mixed blessed most of the time. On the one hand, there's the freedom that comes with being able to walk out of your house or apartment and get into your vehicle and drive where you want to go. No matter if your vehicle is old or new, there's a feeling of pride and comfort that comes from driving down the road and getting noticed for what you're driving.
 
On the flip side, however, there is the responsibility that goes with owning a car, truck, SUV, hybrid or other type of vehicle. This responsibility means that you must take care of your vehicle with routine maintenance as needed to ensure that your ride stays in the best condition possible.
 
There are probably more than a few auto repair shops near where you live. Some are affectionately known as shade tree mechanics because although they have a shop or gas station where they work from, their level of expertise is based on trial and error more than formal education or experience. These shops are often consulted for their ability to take your car or truck in relatively quickly for service and to provide those services for less than the cost of having your vehicle repaired at the dealer.
 
When you want to ensure that your vehicle is maintained by knowledgeable auto mechanics who understand how your vehicle works, you should trust your auto repairs to a shop that has a good reputation. This means that if you're looking for an auto repair shop, there are a few things you should consider:
 

1. Look for awards or noteworthy mention such as recognition from the local chamber of commerce.


2. Don't be afraid to ask questions before any repairs are started.


3. Ask to see old parts such as brake pads to ensure replacement.


4. Have routine maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations and fluid checks done to prolong the life of your vehicle and avoid costly break downs and repairs.

At some point in your life, you're relatively certain to need your auto repaired. Choosing the right auto repair shop will provide you with peace of mind and ensure that you receive the best possible price for the necessary work.
 
When you find a good auto repair shop, developing a professional relationship with your auto mechanic is a sound investment. An honest mechanic will not overcharge you or suggest repairs you don't need. This will help to ensure that you receive the quality repair service your vehicle requires because a level of trust will be built between you and your auto mechanic.
 
Some auto repair shops offer their best customers discounts on routine services as a way to show their appreciation. These establishments have state-of-the-art equipment and well trained staff who know how to perform the necessary diagnostics on your vehicle to determine what repairs are necessary.
 
Failure to have such repairs done on time can not only hurt your wallet, but puts you at risk for an accident and injury to yourself and other drivers. Having a quality auto repair shop to take your vehicle to ensure such failures don't happen.

Finishing Touches In Auto Body Repair

When you bring your car to an auto body repair shop, dozens of steps are taken before and after the actual repair work is performed. One of the finishing touches to a repainted car is restoring emblems, side moldings and body cladding to a repainted area.

Time was when moldings and emblems were fixed to the car using pins or screws that were embedded into the molding or emblem and inserted through holes in the body panels. Nowadays, those things are practically non-existent, and adhesive tapes have taken the place of those pins and screws. It has made things both easier and harder at the same time, because you have to prep the surface so that the adhesive sticks properly but once you stick it on, you're done. No more twisting a nut behind the body panel. On the other hand, the holes in the old days helped you align moldings and emblems. Today, you need a strip of tape along the body to ensure that the molding is aligned straight and true.

When removing body moldings, note that some are simply not reusable. Some are so thin nowadays that a bend in the wrong direction (such as when pulling it off) will cause a ripple that cannot be removed. There are also those strips of foil-like material embedded in some moldings that will wrinkle once removed. They types of moldings simply have to be discarded by an auto body repair shop as there is no way to reuse them without the unsightly wrinkles being noticed. An auto body repair shop estimate has to make this clear to a client so that the cost of the new molding is not contested.

As far as emblems go nowadays, some new ones present exactly the same problem as those thin body moldings that wrinkle when removed. With most emblems being finished in chrome, any imperfections are immediately noticeable. A seemingly minor detail, but one which can cause some aggravation to a meticulous owner, is reattaching emblems or model designations off the original location or with the wrong spacing. For a technician at an auto body repair shop who deals with several vehicles a day, this may seem like a trivial thing, but it's not for the owner of a Mercedes who finds his car has become a C230 instead of a C320. An easy fix to this is to use a strip of masking tape under the letters/numbers of an emblem, writing on the tape which symbols go where and putting vertical marks on the tape to designate the spacing. It's a little detail that speaks volumes to a client of how you cared for his or her car.

Ensuring a happy customer who will recommend your auto body repair shop to others entails many details. Getting the finishing touches right sends the message that the shop's technicians ensured that your car was repaired and refinished down to the last detail.

Why Pay For Windshield Replacement When You Don't Have To?

There is nothing more frustrating than falling victim to a falling piece of debris when you are driving on the road. Just because your auto glass is designed to shield you from debris does not mean it is invincible. If a rock, gravel, or tools that fall off of a work truck meet your auto glass at just the right angle, the debris will win every time. Now that you have an ugly crack, what do you do? The obvious answer might be to call a glass company. While the answer is right, you might want to consider calling your insurance company before you pay for window replacement out-of-pocket. Avoid paying for services when you do not have to and find out when your insurance company will pay for you.

Since When Does Your Insurance Cover a Broken Windshield?

If you have paid for windshield replacement in the past, you might be wondering how long insurance companies have been offering glass coverage. Glass coverage has been a part of insurance plans since auto insurance was required to drive. One of the reasons you might now know glass coverage exists is because it is called comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage is an optional cover that drivers are not required to purchase. If you have this cover, your windshield replacement might be on the insurance company.

Will Filing a Comprehensive Claim Affect My Insurance Rates?

If it costs $300 to repair your windshield, you might think that filing a claim is pointless if it is going to raise your rates for 3 years. Insurance companies have no problem with you thinking like this because it will reduce the amount of claims they are required to pay. The truth of the matter is that comprehensive claims are not counted against you and will not affect your premiums. Knowing this should persuade you to file a claim.

Do not spend your last paying for your windshield repair and file a claim to get the repairs done for less. Some insurance companies will charge you a deductible and others will waive the deductible if you are filing a glass claim. Find a company who will help you file your claim and make the process quicker and easier. If you take time to choose the right company, you do not have worry about the cost of the repairs or the process of filing a claim for your replacement.

The Differences Between OE OEM and OES Parts

OE: Original Equipment:  This part is either made by the car manufacture or is made by an automotive part supplier and is branded with the car manufactures logo and/or in the car manufactures box.  

OEM Original Equipment Manufacture

OES Original Equipment Supplier

Car manufacturers do not make all their parts that they put on their vehicles during assembly or repair, they contract out to auto part manufactures to make parts for them. For the most part the car manufacturer makes the body, frame and major engine components the rest they 'farm out' to OEM/OES manufacturers. The car manufacturer provides the specifications to the OEM/OES manufactures for the parts they need. The OEM/OES manufactures the part to these specs, adds a logo and ships it to the car manufacture.

Bosch, Bilstien, Boge, Beru, Mann, ATE, to name a few, are all OEM or OES suppliers to the car manufacturers. They make parts from spark plugs to exhaust parts. The difference between OE and OEM/OES is mainly the OEM/OES usually don't have the car manufactures logo, but they are the same exact part. Sometimes the logo is ground off the part by the OEM/OES company so as not to affect there contract with the car manufacture. Same part coming off the same assembly line as the OE part does.

The OEM/OES parts are less expensive because they do not go through the car manufactures part system. Every time an OE part goes through a depot, warehouse, dealer, there is a little more money added to the cost of the part. This is the major reason that OE parts cost more. OEM/OES do not go through this procedure, our buyers get them directly from the manufactures, keeping the prices down.  

Aftermarket: aftermarket parts are just that, aftermarket. They are not made by the car manufacturers. They can be made by one of the original equipment manufacturer companies or by a completely different manufacturer. The main difference is they are not made completely to the car manufacture specifications. This is not always bad. One example is Bilstien. They are an OEM/OES supplier, but they offer aftermarket parts also. There HD struts/shocks are original equipment, but their Sport struts/shocks and suspension kits are not made to OE specifications, better but not OE, so it's now an aftermarket part. Another example is the Stewart EMP BMW water pumps. Stewart EMP is NOT an OEM/OES manufacturer but the pump they make is better and stronger than OE. It is an aftermarket part but a better part altogether.  

But still another example of an aftermarket BAD part is a counterfeit part. Counterfeit part manufacturers use backward engineering to get the specifications of the part without paying the car manufacturer. And almost all the time these parts are made with very low quality components. Sometimes these parts are very hard to identify because a lot of emphasis is put on the look and feel of the part and not what it is made from. One way to identify an counterfeit part is its unbelievable low price, the old adage you get what you pay for fits here. The best way to avoid these cheap low quality parts is to purchase your parts from a reliable source, one that offers a warranty and return policy.

Almost all Performance parts are aftermarket parts, again be careful with these parts also. Buy from a reputable supplier or/or manufacturer.