Seven Levels of Repair

Which did you receive? Which did your insurer pay for?

REPAIR LEVEL DV1: TRUE PRE-LOSS CONDITION
True pre-loss condition exists when a damaged vehicle has been repaired to pre-loss condition in all categories of function, appearance, safety and warranty. All original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts, all known procedures, and only the finest materials were used in the repair. The vehicle has been examined by experts who unanimously conclude that no flaws or defects remain. These same experts have concluded that (1) the paintwork has been restored to factory specifications and will age and wear in a manner undetectable from paint on the undamaged portion of the vehicle, and (2) all structural repairs have been performed to factory specification. If the vehicle had been damaged structurally, actual after-repair testing has documented that its frame and unibody structure have been restored to:

• Factory specifications and tolerances throughout the entire vehicle.
• Factory strength and rigidity to ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact in the event of a subsequent accident.

The vehicle has been disassembled, electronically diagnosed, and examined closely to identify and determine any evidence of kinetic damage caused by the impact in areas such as electronics, seals, bearings, mechanical, body and structural components. Experts have concluded that no area of the vehicle shows that this vehicle had been damaged. The vehicle is indistinguishable 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 maintained all of its full, remaining factory warranties. This vehicle will function, perform and wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.

REPAIR LEVEL DV2: REPAIRED TO THE “BEST OF REASONABLE HUMAN ABILITY”
Repair to the “best of reasonable human ability” means the repairers used all OEM parts, most available procedures and the finest materials to provide a high quality level of repair. Experts have unanimously concluded that no flaws or defects remain. They have also concluded that evidence of the repair process exists, identifying the previous damage to a trained eye and subsequent buyers. These experts have determined unanimously that the paintwork has been restored to factory specifications, but no conclusive evidence indicates that it will age and wear in a manner undetectable from wear and tear on the undamaged portion of the vehicle.

If the vehicle was damaged structurally:
Actual after-repair testing has not been performed on the entire structure.
There is no evidence that the vehicle’s entire frame, and/or unibody structure have been restored to all factory specifications, tolerances and to factory strength and rigidity to ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact in the event of a subsequent accident.
The vehicle has not been disassembled, electronically diagnosed, and examined closely to identify and assess any evidence of kinetic damage caused from the impact in areas such as electronics, seals, bearings, mechanical, body and structural components. As a result, there is an absence of evidence that all accident-related damage has been identified or repaired. Some areas of the vehicle reveal its prior damage. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model, in the opinion of automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.

This vehicle is not in pre-loss condition although it may appear so to an untrained eye. There is no credible evidence that this vehicle will function, perform and wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.

REPAIR LEVEL DV3: REPAIRED TO “INDUSTRY STANDARD”
Repair to “industry standard” of the collision industry exists when the repairers used many of the available procedures, parts and materials to provide a modest level of repair. Experts have unanimously concluded that minor flaws or defects remain. Evidence of the repair process exists, identifying the previous damage to even untrained eyes. The paintwork has not been restored to factory specifications; from a distance or in low-light conditions, however, it may appear acceptable to undiscerning consumers.

There is no conclusive evidence that the paint repair will age and wear in a manner undetectable from paint on the undamaged portion of the vehicle. In the event of structural damage and repair:

Actual after-repair testing has not been performed.
There is no evidence that the vehicle’s entire frame, and/or unibody structure have been restored to all factory specifications, tolerances and to factory strength and rigidity to ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact in the event of a subsequent accident.
Many areas of the vehicle reveal its previous damage. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.

This vehicle may not function, perform and wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.

REPAIR LEVEL DV4: REPAIRED TO “INDUSTRY SUB-STANDARD” (MOST COMMON)
Repair to “Industry Sub-Standard” exists when repairers used only some of the available procedures, parts and limited materials to provide the minimum level of repair they believe an average consumer’s untrained eye will accept. Experts have unanimously concluded that major and minor flaws and/or defects remain. Clear evidence of the repair process exists, including weld burns, missing paint on interior surfaces, and body work easily visible to even the untrained eye.

The paintwork has not been restored to factory specifications; there is a clear difference between the original paintwork and that of the repaired areas. This difference can be color mismatch, texture, or material quality. There is no conclusive evidence it will age and wear in a manner undetectable from paint on the undamaged portion of the vehicle. In the event of structural damage and repair:

Actual after-repair testing has not been performed.

There is visible evidence that the vehicle’s frame and/or unibody structure have not been restored to factory tolerances and to factory strength and rigidity to ensure deployment of any and all SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) at the factory specified level of impact in the event of a subsequent accident.

Indeed, some experts have expressed concern 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. Many areas of the vehicle identify it as having been damaged. It 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.