If you’ve recently had the misfortune of being in an auto accident, your insurance company has probably directed you to a repair shop they’ve certified to make repairs. The problem is, insurance companies find the least expensive way to meet their repair obligations. This will often come at the expense of quality, OEM parts, and repairs.
In contrast, the auto industry has been under increased pressure to meet higher standards for quality and safety, and this includes repairs. The intended result is to provide more OEM-certified repair facilities but the fact is, few body shops meet the strict standards required. At Rydell Auto Body and Glass in Grand Forks, North Dakota, we pride ourselves on being certified by a long list of OEMs, making us the only OEM-certified body shop in the city.
What Are OEM-Certified Parts and Repairs?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Auto manufacturers are held to strict quality standards when building their vehicles. So when you purchase an OEM part you can be confident that it is the same part, made by the same company, that was installed in your car the day it rolled off the assembly line.
The benefit of OEM parts is you get an exact replacement part for your car. It is guaranteed to fit properly, work to the exact specifications, and will come with the factory warranty. You can rely upon the quality craftsmanship and performance of OEM parts.
The same holds for OEM-Certified repairs. Like the parts coming from the original manufacturer, repairs are done to the manufacturer’s specifications and with only OEM parts.
What Are Aftermarket Parts and Non-Certified Repairs?
An aftermarket part would be any part made by a company other than the original manufacturer. They can be body parts, mechanical parts, interior and exterior furnishings, fitting, trims, high-performance parts, and specialty accessories.
When looking at an aftermarket part you might not notice any difference in size or shape. You will see a generic label versus an OEM label, but otherwise, they often look identical leading many to believe they are the same.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Because aftermarket parts manufacturers aren’t held to the same quality standards of production they can be, and often are, different. An aftermarket part only has to fit or work, but not to the exact specifications set by the original manufacturer.
This fundamental difference usually results in parts made with less expensive materials. What results is a shorter working life of the part leading to premature failure leaving you broken down or in some cases causing an accident.
Another common occurrence with aftermarket parts is a poor fit. One reason for this is the part might be replacing multiple brands, not the lone OEM brand it was made for originally. So you might get a part that is slightly longer or wider than it’s original but functions the same. So it works but doesn’t properly fit. The poor fit might make it difficult to install in tight places, or a mounting bracket hole is slightly off, or it might not fit at all.
OEM-Certified Repairs are the same as the parts. OEM-Certified means the technician has been factory-trained and that all the parts used will be OEM parts. If your body shop isn’t OEM-Certified you run the risk of getting someone working on your vehicle without the proper training and getting substandard parts.
The insurance companies save money with aftermarket and non-certified repairs. If it doesn’t fit properly, work right, or last as long who is the one who suffers? What’s more is if you ask, most mechanics and body shop technicians will tell you OEM is the way to go.
Rydell Auto Group Is OEM-Certified
At Rydell Auto Group we take pride in using only factory-certified OEM parts and factory-trained technicians to perform all your body shop repairs, from fixing bumpers to removing dents. We know the parts will fit, work, and are backed by factory warranty which means we know you’ll be happier.
I-Car Gold Class Certification
Rydell Auto Group is an I-Car Gold Class Certified body shop. This prestigious designation is achieved only through constant training of our team, from managers to technicians. By continuing to educate our staff we stay up-to-date on all the latest OEM repair techniques and quality products from the manufacturers.
Nissan Collision Repair Network Certification
We’ve also received certifications like Nissan’s Collision Repair Network Certification. Our technicians have all received factory training and because our body shop is in the same facility as our dealership, we can confirm the parts are OEM and get them faster than other shops if they need to be ordered.
ProFirst Certified Collision Repair Facility
Honda has certified our body shop as a ProFirst Certified Collision Repair Facility. All of our technicians have received Honda-specific training, use the proper tools, and maintain high customer satisfaction marks to receive this certification.
GM Certified Service Provider
As a GM Certified Service provider, we have all the factory training, specialty tools, and OEM parts necessary to repair your GM vehicle.
Cadillac Aluminum and Ford Aluminum Certified Body shop
We are a Cadillac Aluminum Repair Network facility and a Ford Aluminum Certified body shop too. Repairing aluminum requires unique training, tools, and techniques, and our certifications mean we’ve met these strict requirements from the manufacturers.
Independent Verification
Rydell Auto Group is proud to say we’ve received independent verification of our body shop and service department from two separate, nationally-recognized organizations. VeriFacts is an independent company that performs random inspections of our overall quality, training, skills, and techniques. We are also Assured Performance Network Certified which is another independent organization grading our skills, techniques, and quality.
Insist on Quality OEM-Certified Repairs
Your insurance company may send you to one of their “certified” body shops, but if the shop isn’t “OEM-Certified” you should insist upon using one. At Rydell Auto Group we are OEM-Certified in multiple brands so you can be confident your vehicle will be repaired right the first time.
Schedule Certified Auto Body Repair in Grand Forks
Feel free to contact us online or call us at 701-792-2846 to schedule certified auto body repair. Or, if you prefer, you can come visit our body shop in person and receive an estimate immediately on any repairs you might need. Our friendly professional staff has experience working with many insurance companies and can help you navigate the process. Our goal is your 100% satisfaction and our OEM-Certified facility is ready to do just that.
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