NOT ALL BODY SHOPS ARE THE SAME

Not all body shops are the same! A customer bought a 2015 Lexus from a local dealer two months ago and was in a minor accident on the right rear. When we disassembled the vehicle upon our surprise, we found it was improperly repaired from a prior accident. 

As you can see in picture 1 & 2, another body shop filled it full of body filler about ½ ” thick instead of replacing the panels.

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Upon further inspection, we found a GAPING hole in the right rear outer wheelhouse behind the rear tire. (picture 3) This hole leads right inside the car. You can imagine all the water and road debris getting inside the vehicle.

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We informed the customer of our findings and let them know what it was going to cost to repair it properly.  The customer informed the local dealer and they did not want to pay to fix it properly. Instead, the local dealer wanted to take it to one of their preferred local body shops that does work for them.  We informed the customer that when they got their vehicle back, we would reinspect it for them.

Here are our findings:  

·       That body shop filled the improper repair back up with body filler (Picture 4&5) and welded the gaping hole shut and just put seam sealer over their welds (Picture 7) to try and hide it.

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·       Then on the inside (Picture 6 Before & 6a After) to hide the rust and the improper gaps they put more seam sealer on it.

6 before

6 after

·       The rest of the previous damage (Picture 8) was never touched and still rusting.

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·       The sunroof drain grommet was put in backwards and the sunroof drain tube was never hooked back up and pushed back inside the car (Picture 9). So, when it rains now the sunroof drain tube will drain back inside the back-passenger area.

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We informed the customer of all the problems and the future problems they are going to have with the car. They requested the dealership find them another car.

 A REPAIR MIGHT LOOK GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT UNDERNEATH MIGHT BE A NIGHTMARE WAITING TO HAPPEN! Do you want untrained people working on your car? Be cautious where you take your vehicle to be repaired. NOT ALL BODY SHOPS ARE THE SAME.

At Paap Auto Body, we take pride in what we do and are consistently training and keeping up with the latest technology of tomorrows cars to keep your family and your car safe for years to come. Paap Auto Body repairs your vehicle to meet manufacturer specifications, not shortcuts for quick and unsafe repairs. If you ever need us to look at a car that you are thinking about purchasing, we are more than happy to look at it for you. Your safety is our top priority at Paap Auto Body.