The Hidden Cost of Cutting Corners on Collision Repairs
It is only natural to want the repair completed as soon as possible and at the lowest cost possible after an accident.
However, when it comes to high-end cars, the lowest-cost method of repairing the vehicle may end up quietly costing you a lot more down the road.
This is because today’s cars, especially high-end models such as Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, BMW, Audi, Porsche, and Rivian, are designed with very tight tolerances and the latest materials and safety features. These cars are simply not meant to be repaired with the cheapest methods.
However, this is exactly what many of these low-cost shops do.
At first, the car looks just fine.
It has been repainted, and all the dings and dents are hidden.
The panels are straight.
However, over time, the differences become apparent.
The paint may begin to fade and peel from improper preparation.
The panels may not be perfectly aligned.
The body lines may appear slightly “off” in the sunlight.
The wind noise may increase due to improper alignment.
And the safety features may never be properly recalibrated.
These are the small details that car dealerships, appraisers, and buyers notice right away.
And these details have a direct impact on your vehicle’s value.
Where Cheap Repairs Cut Corners
Budget repairs will usually cut costs by settling for process and material compromises.
This may involve:
• Low-quality or aftermarket components
• Little disassembly before painting
• Skipping steps to protect against corrosion
• Touching up paint instead of proper refinishing
• Reusing brackets or clips that are damaged
• Skipping sensor calibrations and scans
These cuts aren’t always immediately apparent — but they’ll manifest themselves in months to come.
Paint will begin to yellow. The clear coat will fail. The parts will come loose. The warning lights will come on. Or, worse yet, the car simply won’t protect its occupants as it was intended to.
Luxury cars demand precision, not approximation.
“Good enough” simply isn’t good enough.
The Resale & Trade-In Reality
Dealerships and buyers understand what quality repairs entail.
When inspecting, they look at:
• Panel gaps
• Paint consistency
• Texture and finish
• Overspray
• Correct part installation
• Electronic trouble codes
Poor repairs erode confidence – and confidence is a factor in value.
A car that takes shortcuts or uses non-OEM parts can depreciate by thousands of dollars in resale or trade-in value.
What appeared to be a savings now becomes a larger loss.
source https://www.anthonysautocraft.com/why-cheap-body-work-can-decrease-your-cars-value/
Anthony's Auto Body 