It’s estimated that every year in the UK, approximately 200,000 RTA related casualties are reported to the police. This equates to more than 530 per day, which is a pretty astonishing figure for such a small country.
But what’s even more remarkable is the way in which this doesn’t include any of the smaller prangs and knocks which aren’t reported to the police. Exact figures are impossible to come by, given the fact that most of these minor accidents are never formally reported.
Either way, millions of motorists each year check their vehicles in for minor bodywork repairs and touch-ups. At which point, it’s important to know what to be on the lookout for to ensure they get the job done right.
A few key points to consider to ensure a positive outcome:
1. Consider who your vehicle is being repaired by
First up, choosing a vehicle repair shop at random is never advisable. Quality standards vary significantly from one service provided to the next, so it’s worth shopping around. It may seem savvy to choose whoever provides you with the cheapest quotation, but the consequences of low-quality repairs can be severe.
For example, if the parts they used to patch up your car are of poor quality or are fitted badly, it could compromise the safety of your entire vehicle. Likewise, it could also result in your car’s resale value taking a nosedive. Shop around, check customer reviews and use recommendations of those you trust to find a decent garage you can count on.
2. Thoroughly check the repairs yourself
Don’t make the mistake of simply assuming that the garage has done its job properly. Once they’re done with the repairs you’ve requested, be sure to give the whole thing a closeup inspection. It’s your entitlement (and obligation), just as would be the case when purchasing anything else and assessing its quality.
When checking the quality of the repairs, do so outdoors in natural light. The artificial lighting of a typical garage usually isn’t sufficient to see how things really look. If in doubt, take someone along with you who knows more about cars and car repairs than you do. And at no time should you feel awkward about scrutinising what’s been done. After all, it is your car!
3. Check for warning lights
In addition to the above, it’s also important to check your car’s dashboard after the repairs have been carried out. It’s not a likely eventuality, but it’s perfectly possible that some of the work performed could have led to other issues with your car’s performance
Simply check for warning lights that may have appeared in the meantime, and ensure the garage checks them out before you drive away. It could be a simple fault or an issue with the light itself, or it could indicate that something has been damaged or disturbed during the repair process.
For more information on the responsible way to scrap cars or to find out how much your end-of-life vehicle could be worth, contact a member of the team at Take My Scrap Car today.
