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Could glue sticks be holding your bumper together because of bad repair jobs?

Posted at 12:27 PM, Jun 21, 2017
and last updated 2019-10-08 10:09:51-04
Have you had your car repaired after an accident? How do you know it was repaired correctly?

 

Matt Radman says he sees too many "supposedly" repaired cars, that are death traps.

Radman showed me around his family business, Coach Works Auto Body in Mesa. They repair cars here.

And Radman is a second set of eyes, hired in some cases to make sure repairs were done correctly.

He shows me cars where that was not the case.

Like the car where he found hot glue and glue sticks holding together parts of the bumper. Another car had been t-boned. Radman shows me how the bar between the passenger side doors was replaced.

He says it should have been one piece. Instead, the shop welded two pieces together creating a weakness where you need strength.

Radman says in another t-bone accident, the car would likely get right into the cab creating injury or death.

It could be a poorly trained mechanic.

But in many cases, some insurance companies and shops make cheaper repairs to save money.

So how do you protect yourself?

Consider insurance policies that offer OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer replacement parts.

Most insurers offer only after market or even used parts. Ask anyway.

Radman says he's seen after market parts that don't fit or rub.

Also, don't just be led to a shop by your insurer. Check out reputations and research the shop online.

If you don't like what you see, demand another. And once repairs are made, check for issues. Some can be obvious like loose parts.

Also listen for wind like noises when driving.

Look for seams that don't line up and larger gaps on one side than the other.