From the invention of the crumple zone to countless innovations in occupant protection and accident avoidance, the safety firsts of Mercedes-Benz often set a standard that all automobiles eventually follow. In maintaining the highest standards, MBUSA provides MBUSA-Certified Collision Repair Facilities with critical information pertaining to collision repair/parts replacement on Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles and Genuine Parts are designed and manufactured to meet production-engineered specifications while maximizing the safety of all occupants in a collision. If a collision repair is necessary, MBUSA strongly recommends that all repairs be performed by a certified technician using only Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts, mechanical components, and electrical components, as well as safety devices such as airbags and seat belts. The official replacement and repair procedures are available in the Workshop Information System (WIS), and are continually updated and specific to each model and repair.

What Does This Mean to You?

1. Aftermarket Parts:

Mercedes-Benz does not approve of the use of aftermarket or third-party replacement parts. Mercedes-Benz vehicles are fully tested and certified as an entire assembly. Each part plays a role in the overall operation of the vehicle and is optimized for fit, function, safety, and structural integrity.

Aftermarket parts are not subject to the same requirements of the entire vehicle operation or function, and may not be manufactured to the same standards or design. This could compromise the overall safety of the vehicle should a future collision occur. In particular, aftermarket parts such as fenders, hoods, bumpers, and doors may not provide proper operation or function of vehicle crumple zones, or supplemental restraint sensors (SRS/airbag sensors), or meet federal motor vehicle safety standards for vehicle collisions.

Aftermarket parts are not covered under any Mercedes-Benz warranty, and their use may cause other related components to not be covered under warranty should a failure occur. Genuine Mercedes-Benz replacement parts and accessories installed by certified technicians help preserve the performance and integrity of your vehicle. In addition, keeping it genuine with

Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts will help maintain your vehicles residual value.

2. Salvaged/Recycled Components:

Mercedes-Benz does not approve of the use of components removed from a vehicle that was damaged, burned, flooded, scrapped, or involved in a previous collision.

Salvaged or recycled parts may have been subjected to crash-impact loads, exposure to outside weather, excessive wear, high temperatures, or extreme forces during removal from the donor vehicle. Mercedes-Benz cannot guarantee the safety, quality, compatibility, or durability of recycled parts, as there are no standards in place for testing these components. In addition, salvaged components are not traceable should a recall occur in the future.

3. Fasteners:

Mercedes-Benz advises the replacement of all associated fasteners during a collision repair.

Fasteners that have been worn, broken, or deformed during a collision must be replaced with Genuine Mercedes-Benz replacement parts. Each structural collision repair is developed and tested using Genuine

Mercedes-Benz replacement parts, including rivets, screws, bolts, and other fasteners. The integrity of the complete repair cannot be guaranteed with the use of aftermarket, damaged, or broken fasteners.

4. Adhesives:

Mercedes-Benz only allows the use of adhesives that have been specified in official published repair documents (the WIS). Many technological advances have taken place in the field of structural adhesives for use in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

The use of adhesives in automotive repair is specific to each vehicle and repair location; these repairs have been fully tested using the components, products, and procedures specified in the WIS. The use of other adhesive products that have not been designed for the repair may compromise the safety and durability of the entire vehicle

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The Lincoln Motor Company does not approve the procedure of clearcoat blending or using clearcoat blending in any warranty or collision repair. They strongly suggest that blending clearcoat might lead to future issues down the road with peeling and product breakdown. Furthermore, Lincoln never allows for partial clearcoat blending on warranty paint repairs and does not approve clearcoat blending on customer-pay or insurance-pay repairs. Paint companies and vehiclemanufacturers agree that a repair using this material and procedure is not robust, and that over time, the edge will begin to lift and discolor, making the edge around the repair very noticeable. To resist ultraviolet light and other environmental factors, the clearcoat needs approximately two mils of thickness, however, the millage of the clearcoat in a blended area tapers out at the edge.

What Does this Mean to You?

Lincoln’s position is continually reinforced in all approved paint system manuals. Furthermore, paint companies will not warrant any products if clearcoat blending has been done. The preferred process – and the one that Lincoln approves – is to blend the basecoat color as necessary and then clearcoat the entire panel. On a quarter panel or roof, the ditch area is usually the line to make a break point. Most Lincoln vehicles include a ditch area, which makes it easier to peform the procedure the right way the first time. More information on specific paint company recommendations will generally appear with their clearcoat application guidelines and mix information

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The Lincoln Motor Company does not approve the procedure of clearcoat blending or using clearcoat blending in any warranty or collision repair. They strongly suggest that blending clearcoat might lead to future issues down the road with peeling and product breakdown. Furthermore, Lincoln never allows for partial clearcoat blending on warranty paint repairs and does not approve clearcoat blending on customer-pay or insurance-pay repairs. Paint companies and vehiclemanufacturers agree that a repair using this material and procedure is not robust, and that over time, the edge will begin to lift and discolor, making the edge around the repair very noticeable. To resist ultraviolet light and other environmental factors, the clearcoat needs approximately two mils of thickness, however, the millage of the clearcoat in a blended area tapers out at the edge.

What Does this Mean to You?

Lincoln’s position is continually reinforced in all approved paint system manuals. Furthermore, paint companies will not warrant any products if clearcoat blending has been done. The preferred process – and the one that Lincoln approves – is to blend the basecoat color as necessary and then clearcoat the entire panel. On a quarter panel or roof, the ditch area is usually the line to make a break point. Most Lincoln vehicles include a ditch area, which makes it easier to peform the procedure the right way the first time. More information on specific paint company recommendations will generally appear with their clearcoat application guidelines and mix information

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With each new model, Subaru makes advancements in technology that assist in the operation and safety of our vehicles. These advancements incorporate different sensor, cameras, control units, as well as other components, to assist with the functionality of the vehicle. They are a critical part of vehicle operation and the safety features in each Subaru vehicle.

Proper diagnostic scans give you peace-of-mind

In the event of a collision, these components could incur damage, which may trigger diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), but may not be evident via a warning light on the instrument cluster. It is imperative that these components be evaluated after a collision to ensure the vehicle is completely repaired. If these components are not evaluated, it could have a direct effect on vehicle operation and safety. For Subaru vehicles from model year 2004 and forward involved in a collision, Subaru collision repair procedure recommends that prerepair scanning be performed. Pre-scanning will reveal DTCs for items that are not functioning properly in the vehicle. It allows a shop to identify any issues early in the estimate process, allowing a more complete estimate and encompassing repair process. Additionally, Subaru collision repair procedure also recommends that postrepair scanning be performed on these vehicles.

Subaru recommends the use of the Subaru SSM4 diagnostic tool

Post scanning is critical in ensuring the malfunctioning items have been repaired and there are no remaining DTCs. It may also assist in assuring the appropriate calibrations and reinitializations have been performed. To accurately determine whether DTCs are present in a vehicle, Subaru recommends the use of the Subaru SSM4 diagnostic tool. Information regarding the purchase of the Subaru SSM4 diagnostic software application  and Denso DST-i interface device can be found in the Subaru Technical Information System (STIS) at https://techinfo.subaru.com > Information > Special Tool Information.

Always use Genuine Subaru original parts

If a collision repair is necessary, Subaru of America, Inc. strongly recommends using Genuine Subaru replacement body parts, mechanical components, and electrical parts including all safety devices such as airbags and seatbelts. The use of Genuine Subaru original parts will help ensure the vehicle is restored back to its original pre-collision condition and the structural integrity of the vehicle will perform as it was designed and tested in the event of another collision. The safety of our customers is our number one priority. The use of any aftermarket or substitute structural, body, mechanical or electrical repair parts are not covered under the Subaru of America, Inc. limited warranty, replacement parts limited warranty or Subaru Added Security (SAS) agreements or contracts. Subaru of America, Inc. is not responsible for any resultant damage caused by the use and/or installation of any aftermarket substitute part(s).

What this means to you

Pre- and post-scanning is necessary on any car 2004 and newer to ascertain that the car is safe and sound. Make certain that any collision repair company performs all proper scanning before they give the vehicle back to you. Otherwise, it might not be under warranty that can open the owner to additional issues and problems down the road.

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Ford Pre- and Post-Diagnostic Scanning Protocol

Ford Motor Company vehicles contain many state-of-the art features that provide occupant safety and enhance the driving experience. During collision repairs, it is critical the proper function of these systems and features be restored back to pre-accident condition and performance.

All 2010 and newer vehicles must be scanned

Ford defines a collision as damage that exceeds minor outer body panel cosmetic distortion. All Ford Motor Company vehicles from and including model year 2010 forward involved in a collision require a pre-repair diagnostic scan during the estimation phase of a collision repair to properly identify all required repairs. During the repair process, certain modules and other system components may require calibration or initialization to properly complete the repair. Additionally, the vehicle must have a post-repair diagnostic scan completed after the vehicle has been repaired to verify that new faults have not been introduced in the course of the repair and to verify that the vehicle has been fully repaired.

Must adhere to the following steps

The following points show why a diagnostic scan is crucial to the proper repair of the vehicle:

1. Preliminary diagnostic scans provide a baseline to the condition of the systems on the vehicle, and what concerns may need to be addressed during the vehicle repair plan development.

2. Not every malfunction will illuminate a malfunction warning light (MIL) or message center warning.

3.A system may require a certain number of drive or function cycles in order to set a warning light or manifest a concern.

4. Low battery voltage may allow for numerous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to set.

It is important to utilize Ford repair procedures for all collision repairs to ensure quality results. Ford also recommends the use of the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) or Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) to perform all vehicle diagnostic testing, module programing, and system calibrations during collision repairs. Ford dealer-owned body shops can access service information, training and diagnostic scan tool support through the Professional Technician Society at www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com and independent collision repairers can find information at www.motorcraftservice.com.

Why this matters to Ford owners

Ford Motor Company vehicles are designed and built to provide optimum fit, function, safety and structural integrity. For this reason, Ford Motor Company
does not approve the use of aftermarket, recycled, salvaged, or reconditioned parts. The quality, performance and safety of these parts cannot be verified and may result in substandard repairs, which can inhibit proper vehicle function and cause erroneous DTCs. Only by using Ford original equipment collision parts can you be assured of the part’s fit, finish, quality and safety.

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With each new model, Subaru makes advancements in technology that assist in the operation and safety of our vehicles. These advancements incorporate different sensor, cameras, control units, as well as other components, to assist with the functionality of the vehicle. They are a critical part of vehicle operation and the safety features in each Subaru vehicle.

Proper diagnostic scans give you peace-of-mind

In the event of a collision, these components could incur damage, which may trigger diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), but may not be evident via a warning light on the instrument cluster. It is imperative that these components be evaluated after a collision to ensure the vehicle is completely repaired. If these components are not evaluated, it could have a direct effect on vehicle operation and safety. For Subaru vehicles from model year 2004 and forward involved in a collision, Subaru collision repair procedure recommends that prerepair scanning be performed. Pre-scanning will reveal DTCs for items that are not functioning properly in the vehicle. It allows a shop to identify any issues early in the estimate process, allowing a more complete estimate and encompassing repair process. Additionally, Subaru collision repair procedure also recommends that postrepair scanning be performed on these vehicles.

Subaru recommends the use of the Subaru SSM4 diagnostic tool

Post scanning is critical in ensuring the malfunctioning items have been repaired and there are no remaining DTCs. It may also assist in assuring the appropriate calibrations and reinitializations have been performed. To accurately determine whether DTCs are present in a vehicle, Subaru recommends the use of the Subaru SSM4 diagnostic tool. Information regarding the purchase of the Subaru SSM4 diagnostic software application  and Denso DST-i interface device can be found in the Subaru Technical Information System (STIS) at https://techinfo.subaru.com > Information > Special Tool Information.

Always use Genuine Subaru original parts

If a collision repair is necessary, Subaru of America, Inc. strongly recommends using Genuine Subaru replacement body parts, mechanical components, and electrical parts including all safety devices such as airbags and seatbelts. The use of Genuine Subaru original parts will help ensure the vehicle is restored back to its original pre-collision condition and the structural integrity of the vehicle will perform as it was designed and tested in the event of another collision. The safety of our customers is our number one priority. The use of any aftermarket or substitute structural, body, mechanical or electrical repair parts are not covered under the Subaru of America, Inc. limited warranty, replacement parts limited warranty or Subaru Added Security (SAS) agreements or contracts. Subaru of America, Inc. is not responsible for any resultant damage caused by the use and/or installation of any aftermarket substitute part(s).

What this means to you

Pre- and post-scanning is necessary on any car 2004 and newer to ascertain that the car is safe and sound. Make certain that any collision repair company performs all proper scanning before they give the vehicle back to you. Otherwise, it might not be under warranty that can open the owner to additional issues and problems down the road.

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