Seven Levels of Repair – Continued

REPAIR LEVEL DV5: POORLY REPAIRED
A vehicle is poorly repaired, below even “Industry Sub-Standard,” when repairers used few of the available procedures, substandard parts and limited materials, yielding a minimum level of repair. Even laypersons and non-automotive experts can clearly tell that the vehicle was damaged and has been poorly repaired. Experts have unanimously concluded that numerous major and minor flaws remain. Clear evidence of the repair process exists, even to untrained eyes, including weld burns, defective structural and body repairs, missing paint on interior surfaces, and easily identifiable bodywork.

The paintwork is visibly flawed and clearly has not been restored to factory specification or appearance. There are obvious differences in color match, texture, and/or material quality. There is no conclusive evidence that the paint will age and wear in a manner undetectable from that on undamaged parts of the vehicle.

If structural damage occurred, actual after-repair testing has not been performed, and:

There is clear visual evidence that the vehicle’s frame and unibody structure have not been restored to factory tolerances.
Experts are seriously concerned that the structural repair will not respond properly to subsequent impact(s) to protect the occupants of the vehicle and/or ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact.

Most repair areas clearly identify the vehicle as having been damaged and poorly repaired. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties. This vehicle will not function, perform or wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.

REPAIR LEVEL DV6: POORLY REPAIRED AND UNSAFE TO OPERATE
A vehicle is poorly repaired when repairers used few of the available procedures, parts and materials. Even laypersons and non-automotive experts can clearly tell the vehicle has been damaged and poorly repaired.

Experts have unanimously concluded that numerous major and minor flaws remain. Some defects would render the vehicle unsafe to operate on public roads and represent a clear safety hazard to occupants. Clear evidence of the defective repair process and collision damage exists, even to untrained eyes, including weld burns and body repairs, missing paint on interior surfaces, and easily identifiable bodywork.

The paintwork is visibly flawed and clearly has not been restored to factory specification or appearance. There are obvious differences in color match, texture, and/or material quality. In the event of any structural repairs, they have obviously been poorly done and have not restored the vehicle to pre-loss safety and performance:

There is visual evidence that the vehicle’s frame and/or unibody structure have not been restored to factory tolerances.

Experts are seriously concerned that the structural repair will not respond properly to subsequent impact(s) to protect the occupants of the vehicle or ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact.

Most of the repair area clearly identifies the vehicle as having been damaged and very poorly repaired by any standard. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties. This vehicle will not function, perform or wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.

REPAIR LEVEL DV7: VERY POORLY REPAIRED, UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO RESTORE TO PRE-LOSS CONDITION
A very poorly repaired vehicle results when incompetent or untrained persons used few of the procedures, parts and materials available to the collision industry. Experts have unanimously concluded that numerous major and minor flaws remain. The vehicle is so poorly repaired that corrective measures are beyond consideration; this vehicle is incapable of being logically restored to pre-loss condition.

The remaining defects would render the vehicle unsafe to operate on public roads and represent a clear safety hazard to its occupants. Clear evidence of the damage and defective repair process exists, easily identifiable even to the untrained eye, including weld burns, defective body repairs and missing paint on interior surfaces.
The paintwork is visibly flawed and clearly hasn’t been restored to factory specification or appearance. There are obvious differences in color match, texture, and/or material quality. In the event of any structural repairs, they have obviously been poorly done and have not restored the vehicle to pre-loss safety and performance:

There is visual evidence that the vehicle’s frame and/or unibody structure have not been restored to factory tolerances

Experts are seriously concerned that the structural repair will not respond properly to subsequent impact(s) to protect the occupants of the vehicle or ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact.

Most of the repair area clearly identifies the vehicle as having been damaged and very poorly repaired by any standard. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.

This vehicle is unsafe to drive and will not function, perform or wear in a manner even remotely similar to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model. This type of vehicle should be scrapped and permanently removed from road use. Add To Repair Levels DV3 Through DV7 Where Imitation Collision Repair Parts Usage Was Identified

For this repair, the insurance company specified imitation parts, and the repairer used them in repair of the subject vehicle. These parts have been determined by experts and the courts to be inferior to OEM parts in many respects. Imitation parts void factory warranties on the imitation component itself and on all other related components that fail due to the imitation part. Imitation parts have no effective recall system, should the manufacturer discover a design or material defect after installation. Imitation parts have been found not to be of like kind and quality in fit, finish, warranty and performance; as a result, using them may cause additional loss of value and additional potential safety hazards.

Note: Imitation collision repair parts usage would render a vehicle ineligible for Repair Levels DV1 and DV2.