As a collision repair technician, your job is to fix the outer body of vehicles following an accident. Still, there’s a lot more involved in the repair process than first meets the eye. To ensure you’re providing the best quality service, you should evaluate your own skills from time to time. Not sure if you’re up to speed? NYADI The College of Automotive and Diesel Technology suggests a comparison of your competencies against this checklist.

Collision Repair Self-Evaluation

Here are a few things to check to ensure your quality of work is up to par after completing a collision repair:

1. Doors, Hoods, Hatches and Trunk Lids – After reinstalling doors, check to make sure they’re functional and correctly hooked up to the warning light system. If properly installed, the key entry functions should work and security systems should be functioning.

2. Lighting Systems – Do the blinkers point in the right direction? Are the brake lights illuminating when the brakes are pushed? To promote safe driving, it’s imperative that a vehicle’s headlamps, taillights, daytime running lights and other exterior lighting systems work correctly.

3. Interior – Following a collision repair, the interior should be spotless. That means no broken glass. You should also test the operation of the seatbelt restraints, seats, power controls, A/C system, steering column, dash lights and so on. If everything is working correctly, you’ve done your job.

4. Exterior – Check the body work. Everything should be smooth and in like-new condition. The paint should be free of chips and scratches and match the rest of the vehicle. Also, inspect the underbody areas, and ensure that all components have been reinstalled and are fastened properly.

5. Under the Hood – Last, but perhaps most important of all, look over anything and everything under the hood. Check brake, power steering and transmission fluid levels and battery function, and see if all service caps have been replaced.

Turn Your Weaknesses into Strengths

The designs of today’s vehicles are more complicated than ever before. That’s why you need to be diligent when performing collision repairs. If you’ve joined the collision repair technology field prior to attending a trade school, there’s still time to grow your knowledge base and skills.

At NYADI, we offer a collision repair technology certificate program designed to teach you the essential skills you need to know in an entry-level career. Through theory and hands-on training, you’ll learn how to effectively service and repair essential automotive systems. To learn more about this program, contact an admission advisor today.