5 Things Every Collision Shop Should Be Doing

Every vehicle that enters your shop today carries more safety-critical technology than ever before, raising the stakes for how repairs are performed. Shops that stay ahead are the ones that focus on five key areas: EV and ADAS preparedness, vehicle measuring, vehicle preservation, estimate audits, and quality control.

Here’s how each impacts your business and why you can’t afford to overlook them:

1. EV and ADAS Preparedness: Equip Your Shop for Safety

EVs and ADAS are redefining what “safe repair” means. Both demand specialized tools, training, and processes, yet many shops remain unprepared to handle either technology. In fact, a recent OEC Quality Repair Review found that 67% of shops surveyed did not have the required tools for safe EV handling and servicing.

A recent OEC Quality Repair Review found that 67% of shops surveyed did not have the required tools for safe EV handling and servicing.

At the same time, ADAS calibrations are often overlooked or inconsistently outsourced. A report from AirPro Diagnostics found that among shops with ADAS technicians, many relied on informal, on-the-job training and lacked OEM-certified instruction. Without formal, OEM-aligned training, technicians risk performing incomplete or incorrect calibrations, which can compromise critical safety systems.

Despite these risks, many shops still lack the basic equipment, protocols, and training necessary to safely work on EVs and perform ADAS calibrations. The following areas highlight where preparedness often falls short and what shops should be prioritizing.

EV Safety

• Safety equipment: Class 0 linesman gloves, insulated hand tools, HV identifiers, and rescue sticks.
• Battery handling and storage: Proper procedures for removing, storing, and reinstalling EV batteries.
• Technician training: Basic EV awareness and high-voltage safety training for every technician.

ADAS Calibration Capability

• The tools and space for in-house calibrations: Targets, scan tools, level floors, and proper lighting.
• Ongoing training: Regular updates on OEM changes, ADAS features, updated calibration requirements, and diagnostic protocols.
• Outsourcing: A documented process for working with trusted calibration partners when in-house isn’t feasible.

Whether investing in calibration equipment or building a reliable outsourcing workflow, having a plan for EVs and ADAS is no longer optional. Reinforcing OEM repair procedures with structured access to vehicle-specific information helps reduce reliance on informal or inconsistent training. Shops that fail to prepare face safety risks, liability exposure, and lost revenue opportunities.

2. Vehicle Measuring: Precision Matters

Without pre- and post-repair measurements, there’s no way to prove that a vehicle has been restored to OEM standards. A vehicle’s structural misalignment isn’t always visible to the eye. What might look “straight” can still be off by fractions of an inch, compromising crashworthiness and safety. Imagine a car that comes in with frame damage: the engine might sit two inches forward from where it should be, throwing off how the vehicle absorbs impact in a collision.

According to I-CAR, OEM repair procedures from manufacturers such as Toyota and Honda explicitly require structural measurements during repairs. In fact, best practice is to measure the full length of the vehicle across at least eight points, including the damage zone, and verify post-repair accuracy within tight tolerances (e.g., within 1/10 cm).

For shops, investing in reliable measuring systems and proper documentation provides critical advantages. Documented measurements prove repairs meet OEM specifications and protect against liability claims. They also build customer trust by showing that a vehicle is truly safe to drive. Accurate measurements taken early in the process can reveal hidden damage, improving efficiency and preventing costly rework. By making measurement a standard part of every repair rather than an afterthought, shops safeguard themselves, reassure customers, and protect their bottom line.

3. Vehicle Preservation: Protect What You’re Repairing

Shops often focus heavily on structural repairs but overlook the basics of vehicle preservation during the repair process. This step is just as important: if components are left exposed, small oversights can quickly turn into big problems. Data from a recent Quality Repair Review shows that roughly half of surveyed shops weren’t capping fluid lines or electrical connectors consistently. That leaves customers vulnerable to serious issues that may not appear until long after the repair is complete.

Contamination is one of the most common risks. A single metal shaving or drop of moisture inside an electrical connector can cause sensors to fail, airbags to misfire, or collision-avoidance systems to malfunction. Open mechanical systems like the throttle body or intercooler can be damaged by dust or debris in the shop environment. Even the interior can suffer if vehicles are not properly protected during repairs, leaving customers frustrated with stains, odors, or unnecessary wear.

Best practices for vehicle preservation:

• Cap all fluid and A/C lines
• Protect electrical/electronic connectors
• Cover mechanical openings (intake, throttle body, intercooler)
• Protect the vehicle interior
• Ensure clean technician work areas and proper parts storage

These steps may feel small, but they may be the difference between a safe repair and a dissatisfied customer, or worse, an accident.

4. Estimate Audits: Reduce Liability, Protect Profit

Every repair order is both a legal document and a business record. Yet many shops still leave out essential line items (like battery disconnects) because they assume they “won’t get paid” for them. That’s short-term thinking. Failing to capture these steps not only misrepresents the true cost of doing business but also exposes shops to liability and undermines profitability. Recording all required operations, even if payment is sometimes disputed, is the best way to protect both your bottom line and your technicians.

Critical items to include:

• Documented pre- and post-scans
• Battery disconnect & reset (with labor time included)
• Welder setup & destructive test welds
• Set up & measurement and clamp mark repair if applicable
• OEM repair procedures accessed and noted
• Prior damage & backordered parts clearly documented

“I can’t understand why any shop would skip setting up their welders and performing destructive test welds,” said Jay Cassel, OEC Collision Consultant. “These are basic safety steps that should happen on every repair, even if you think you might not get paid for them. It’s about repairing the vehicle properly and protecting the customer.”

By treating these items as non-negotiable, shops create more accurate estimates, reduce financial risk, and reinforce a reputation for thorough, safe repairs.

5. Quality Control: Build a Process, Not Just a Checklist

True quality control means building a structured process, not relying on one inspection. From initial tear-down to final delivery, Quality Control (QC) checkpoints ensure every step meets safety and OEM standards. ASE and I-CAR recommend structured QC processes throughout the repair, rather than relying on a final inspection.

A recent OEC Quality Repair Review found that 67% of shops surveyed did not have the required tools for safe EV handling and servicing.

Areas to monitor:

• Safety gear compliance
• Diagnostic scans performed & documented
• Proper parts removal, storage, and organization
• OEM repair instructions present and followed
• Special attention to environmental conditions (e.g., corrosion from road salt in northern climates)

Shops that prioritize quality implement systems and processes to catch problems long before they create safety hazards or legal challenges.

Conclusion

Shops that thrive in today’s collision repair landscape are ones that take a proactive approach across the board. Preparing for EVs and ADAS, making measurement a standard step, protecting vehicles during repairs, capturing every operation in the estimate, and embedding quality control into the process aren’t isolated tasks. These are connected practices that safeguard customers, reduce liability, and protect profitability. By committing to all five, shops not only ensure safe, OEM-aligned repairs, but also strengthen thier reputation as trusted repairers in their communities.

Additional Resources