Collision Repair Glossary
The words you'll hear from shops and adjusters during a repair, defined in plain English, so nothing in your estimate is a mystery.
- Diagnostic scan
- Reading vehicle diagnostic information with appropriate equipment.
- Calibration
- A procedure used to establish or verify the operation of a system according to its requirements.
- Blend panel
- An adjacent painted area included in a refinish process to manage the transition in color.
- OEM
- Original equipment manufacturer; ask which specific part or repair information is being referenced.
- Supplement
- An addition or revision to an earlier repair estimate.
- Teardown
- Disassembly used to inspect areas that are not accessible from the outside.
- Refinishing
- Preparing and applying a coating system to the surface being painted.
- Unibody
- Vehicle construction in which the body structure carries loads as an integrated assembly.
- Repair authorization
- Approval for a defined repair scope; clarify how any later changes will be approved.
- VIN
- Vehicle identification number used to identify the specific vehicle.
Ready to get your vehicle fixed right?
Tell us about the vehicle, the damage and what you need next.