Almost every driver in the world will be involved in a car accident at some point during their lives. Most of the time, car crashes aren’t too serious and don’t involve any injuries, though needless to say, sustaining an injury as a result of a car crash is far from uncommon. However, luckily, most scrapes and bumps result in minor damages to a vehicle rather than the driver or any of their passengers, and that’s why it’s so important for people to know what to do following an accident.
For starters, most people would like to be given an accurate quote upfront before making a decision on which body shop to utilise following an accident. At the end of the day, the cost of the repairs may be a huge determining factor when it comes to choosing who to choose after comparing the market. But in order to get an accurate quote, it might be necessary to learn some basic terminology so that the mechanic can gain a clear understanding of the driver’s needs over the phone.
In reality, minor smash repairs shouldn’t cost too much, but there are certainly some businesses that might try to take advantage of those who clearly have little knowledge about the industry. However, drivers don’t need to become mechanics in order to give the impression that they know some of the basics.
Bumper repairs in Perth from K&W Panel Beating are both cost-effective and reliable, but this article will give an insight into some of the terminology used at body shops for drivers looking for repairs elsewhere.
Learning the Lingo
It should be said at this point that most garages won’t try to charge too much for their services because it’s just bad business. However, those who want to make themselves look knowledgeable might find the following list beneficial.
- Genuine parts – Genuine parts refer to those that are made by the vehicle’s manufacturer and are usually the most expensive.
- OEM parts – OEM parts are those made by an external company to the vehicle’s manufacturer, but they are the parts that were originally used when the vehicle was new.
- Aftermarket parts – These parts are made by somebody not necessarily affiliated with the vehicle’s manufacturer, and they’re often the cheapest option.
- Non-structural repairs – This refers to damage on the exterior of a vehicle, such as the bonnet or the side panels.
- Panel replacement – Depending on the severity of the damage, panels may not be able to be repaired, in which case they’ll be replacing instead.
- Stretching and shrinking – This refers to the technique of heating metal panels and then using tools to restore panels to their former shape.
Needless to say, the above list of terminology is far from exhaustive, but the terms will come in very useful for drivers when it comes to getting their vehicle repaired for the best price. Just remember that price is only one important factor when it comes to choosing the right company – the quality of the work carried out is what really matters.