What Does an OEM Certification Require?

Quick Answer: OEM certification requires a collision repair shop to meet manufacturer standards for technician training, specialized equipment, repair procedures, facility requirements, and ongoing compliance. Maintaining certification requires continuous investment as vehicle technology and manufacturer standards evolve.

Many people assume an OEM certification is simply a logo displayed on a repair shop’s website or lobby wall.

In reality, earning and maintaining certification requires an ongoing commitment to manufacturer standards. While every automaker has its own certification program, most evaluate the same core areas before approving a collision repair facility.

Specialized Repair Equipment

Modern vehicles are built using a variety of materials and technologies that often require dedicated repair equipment. A shop cannot simply rely on conventional tools to repair every vehicle according to manufacturer standards.

Depending on the manufacturer, certified collision repair facilities may be required to maintain equipment such as:

• Aluminum repair workstations
• Manufacturer-approved welding equipment
• Computerized frame measuring systems
• Resistance spot welders
• ADAS calibration equipment
• Advanced refinishing systems

These tools help technicians perform repairs according to the manufacturer’s published procedures and are updated as vehicle technology continues to evolve.

Manufacturer-Specific Technician Training

Having the right equipment is only part of the process.

Technicians must also understand how each manufacturer designs and repairs its vehicles. Certification programs require ongoing education that focuses on the specific vehicles the shop is certified to repair.

Training commonly includes:

• Structural repair techniques
• Vehicle construction materials
• Electric and hybrid vehicle repair
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• Manufacturer repair procedures
• Diagnostic technology

Training is continuous rather than a one-time requirement. As manufacturers introduce new models, materials, and repair methods, certified technicians complete additional education to maintain their qualifications.

Manufacturer Repair Procedures

Every certified manufacturer provides repair information developed specifically for its vehicles.

Rather than relying on generalized repair methods, OEM-certified collision repair shops reference these published procedures throughout the repair process whenever applicable.

Depending on the repair, manufacturer procedures may include guidance for:

• Structural repairs
• Panel replacement
• Approved welding methods
• Adhesive bonding
• Material handling
• Required inspections
• Post-repair calibrations

Following these procedures helps promote repair consistency while supporting the vehicle’s structural design and integrated safety systems.

Facility Standards and Ongoing Compliance

OEM certification extends beyond technicians and equipment. Manufacturers also evaluate the repair facility itself to help ensure it can support repairs for certified vehicles.

Certification programs may review factors such as:

• Shop layout
• Dedicated repair areas
• Equipment maintenance
• Quality control processes
• Repair documentation
• Technician training records

Certification is not permanent.

Vehicle manufacturers regularly update their repair information, certification standards, and equipment requirements as new vehicle technologies are introduced. To remain certified, collision repair facilities must continue meeting those evolving standards through ongoing training, equipment investments, and program compliance.

Why Aren’t Most Body Shops OEM Certified?

Quick Answer: Many collision repair shops are not OEM certified because certification requires significant investments in specialized equipment, technician training, facility standards, and ongoing manufacturer compliance. Not every repair facility chooses to make that long-term commitment.

Many drivers assume every body shop repairs vehicles the same way.

In reality, vehicle manufacturers establish different certification requirements for each brand, and earning certification involves far more than purchasing equipment or displaying manufacturer logos.

Certified facilities continually invest in technician education, specialized tools, facility improvements, and updated repair information to meet manufacturer requirements. Those investments continue long after certification is first earned.

This does not necessarily mean a non-certified shop performs poor-quality repairs. However, it does mean the facility has not completed the manufacturer’s certification program for the brands it is not certified to repair.

For owners of vehicles equipped with advanced construction methods, sophisticated electronics, or electric powertrains, choosing a repair facility certified for their specific manufacturer can provide additional confidence that the shop has invested in the resources required to repair those vehicles according to manufacturer standards.

How Premier Coach Maintains 31 Manufacturer Certifications

Quick Answer: Premier Coach Auto Collision maintains 31 manufacturer certifications because modern vehicles require manufacturer-specific repair knowledge, specialized equipment, and continuous technician training. Every certification reflects an ongoing commitment to repairing certified vehicles according to the standards established by their manufacturers.

Every vehicle manufacturer engineers its vehicles differently.

BMW repair procedures differ from Porsche’s. Tesla vehicles require repair processes that differ from many traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Even within the same brand, repair methods continue to evolve as manufacturers introduce new materials, electronics, and safety technologies.

Rather than relying on a single repair approach for every vehicle, Premier Coach continually invests in manufacturer certification programs that help our technicians stay current with the latest repair procedures for the brands we are certified to repair.

Maintaining 31 manufacturer certifications requires ongoing investment in:

• Manufacturer-specific technician training
• Specialized repair equipment
• Factory-approved repair procedures
• Facility improvements
• Diagnostic and calibration technology
• Continuing education and certification renewal

These investments help our team adapt as vehicle technology continues to evolve, allowing us to repair certified vehicles using the latest manufacturer guidance whenever applicable.

For drivers throughout Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Ventura County, and surrounding Southern California communities, that means choosing a collision repair facility committed to keeping pace with today’s increasingly advanced vehicles—not simply relying on yesterday’s repair methods.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Collision Repair Shop

Quick Answer: Before selecting a collision repair shop, verify that it is certified for your vehicle’s manufacturer, ask whether it follows OEM repair procedures, and confirm that it has the equipment and training required to repair your specific vehicle. These questions can help you make a more informed repair decision after a collision.

Choosing a collision repair shop involves more than comparing estimates or repair timelines. Asking a few key questions can help you better understand the qualifications and repair standards behind your vehicle’s restoration.

Consider asking:

• Is your shop OEM certified for my vehicle’s manufacturer?
• Do your technicians receive manufacturer-specific training?
• Do you follow the manufacturer’s published repair procedures?
• Do you have the specialized equipment required to repair my vehicle?
• Will any required post-repair inspections or ADAS calibrations be completed?

The answers to these questions can provide greater confidence that the repair facility has the training, equipment, and manufacturer resources needed to repair your vehicle according to the standards established for your specific make and model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OEM certification expire?

Quick Answer: Yes. OEM certification must be maintained through ongoing technician training, equipment updates, facility requirements, and continued compliance with the manufacturer’s certification program. Certification is an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time achievement.

Manufacturers regularly update their repair procedures, equipment requirements, and training programs as new vehicle technologies are introduced. Certified collision repair facilities must continue meeting those evolving standards to maintain their certification.

Can one OEM certification cover every vehicle manufacturer?

Quick Answer: No. Each vehicle manufacturer has its own certification program. A collision repair shop must earn certification separately for every manufacturer it represents.

For example, a shop certified to repair BMW vehicles is not automatically certified to repair Porsche, Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, or other manufacturers. Every certification has its own requirements for technician training, equipment, and ongoing compliance.

Why don’t all body shops become OEM certified?

Quick Answer: OEM certification requires significant investments in specialized equipment, technician training, facility standards, and ongoing manufacturer compliance. Not every repair facility chooses to make that long-term investment.

While many body shops provide quality repairs, OEM-certified facilities have completed the certification requirements established by the manufacturers they represent and continue investing in the resources needed to maintain those certifications.

Is an OEM-certified collision repair shop better than a non-certified shop?

Quick Answer: OEM certification indicates that a repair facility has met the manufacturer’s requirements for the brands it is certified to repair. For those vehicles, it provides additional confidence that the shop has invested in manufacturer-approved training, equipment, and repair procedures.

Every vehicle owner should choose a repair facility they trust. If your vehicle’s manufacturer offers a certification program, selecting a shop certified for your specific make can help ensure the facility has access to the latest repair information and manufacturer-approved resources.

How can I verify whether a collision repair shop is OEM certified?

Quick Answer: Most vehicle manufacturers publish online directories of their approved collision repair facilities. You can also ask the repair shop which certifications they maintain and verify them directly through the manufacturer’s official website whenever available.

Checking a manufacturer’s official directory is one of the easiest ways to confirm whether a collision repair shop currently holds certification for your vehicle’s brand.