What are a few things I can easily do to keep up on the maintenance of my vehicle?
How do I properly wax my vehicle?
How can I properly touch up a nick or chip in the paint on my car?
How can I find a good auto repair shop?
My car is totaled. What do I do now?
Do I need rental car insurance?
Will my accident show up on CarFax?
If my frame is damaged, will it ever be the same?
How can I tell if my car repairs were done properly?
What should I look for before buying a pre-owned vehicle?

Q?

What are a few things I can easily do to keep up on the maintenance of my vehicle?

A.

• Check your tires! It’s simple to do a quick occasional check to make sure they are properly inflated. Refer to your owner’s manual to see how often your tires should be rotated. And change them when they need to be; it can be very dangerous to drive with old tires.
• Are your wipers not doing their job? Seeing is ideal while driving! They aren’t very expensive to replace, and doing so can make a huge difference.
• Get your regularly scheduled oil change. It’s an easy chore to skip, but an important one to do. Follow the oil change schedule to maintain the life of your vehicle.

Q?

How do I properly wax my vehicle?

A.

Ready for your car to look like new? Here are our tips:

• Clean car well using a mild soap. Be sure to scrub at any dirt or debris that needs to come off.
• Spray de-greaser onto the car. Use the de-greaser to get the rest of the debris off. Wash it off with soapy water, then dry it.
• Wax just a small area at a time. Use only a small amount of wax, and apply light pressure to the buffer, moving it in a circular motion. You may do this several times if you’d like.
• Now it’s time to remove the wax; you’ll need to start with a clean cloth and change it out several times throughout the process. Don’t miss any spots.
• Polish the car, again with fresh cloths. Keep applying in a circular motion, and move quickly.

Q?

How can I properly touch up a nick or chip in the paint on my car?

A.

Such a small problem – if not done correctly – can have major consequences! Some people are comfortable matching the paint themselves. We can’t stress enough how important it is for the paint to match perfectly. That little nick in your paint can become much more noticeable when it’s painted over with the wrong color! You’ll also need to apply the paint with a touch-up brush or pen.

If you’re not confident doing the touch-up work yourself, that’s what repair shops are for! Professionals, such as those at Prestige, take respect in all of their work – even that little scrape that’s bugging you. Speak to your local auto body shop to get an estimate and to learn the process.

Q?

How can I find a good auto repair shop?

A.

Do your research! Check for certifications and memberships at your neighborhood shops. Is the business BBB accredited? A good grade here is a great sign that the shop is trustworthy!
Visit the business. Is it a place where you feel comfortable leaving your car?

And check out online review websites such as Yelp. People who have had good experiences at a business are likely to want to let others know!

Q?

My car is totaled. What do I do now?

A.

Take notes and photos of the accident, and exchange information with the other driver, if there is one. Contact your insurance agent ASAP to file the claim. Be prepared for the time it takes to determine if your car is actually totaled; it can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months. Work with your agent to arrange for a rental car in the time being.

A vehicle is considered totaled when the cost to repair it is more than its actual value. Most people will gladly bid farewell to the damaged car, but you do have the option to keep it. Let your insurance agent know as soon as you can that these are your plans, and you generally should be given the amount of the car’s value, minus the deductible. Otherwise, your vehicle is headed to the junkyard.

Your insurance agent will work with you and the other driver’s insurance agency to reach a settlement. Prestige Auto Body has worked well with a number of local insurance agents over the years, which is why so many agents refer Prestige to their clients. If you have any questions on the process, call your insurance agent – or call Prestige, which can refer you to a number of reputable agents in the Manchester area.

Q?

Do I need rental car insurance?

A.

It depends! You may be covered by your personal auto insurance or even protection offered through your credit card. It’s important to see if you’re already covered so that you’re not paying double for something you already have!

Q?

Will my accident show up on CarFax?

A.

According to CarFax, history reports are available on every car that was made after 1981. Accidents are among the pieces of information collected in a CarFax. Other information in CarFax reports includes the number of car owners, flood damage, odometer readings and more.

The information in these reports comes from places such as rental agencies, police and fire departments.

Q?

If my frame is damaged, will it ever be the same?

A.

If the repair is done properly, yes, your car can be the same! When your car is repaired, your vehicle will be test driven to ensure proper alignment. Let your auto body shop know if anything feels different – you don’t want to risk the safety of yourself or others on the road longer than you have to.

Q?

How can I tell if my car repairs were done properly?

A.

First, be sure you’re at a licensed and reliable shop, such as Prestige.

Take a look at the repaired area yourself. Your eyes can be a good judge of what looks right and wrong. Compare the repaired area of the car to its opposite side – for example, if damage was previously over your front left tire, compare it to the non-damaged right front tire.

Be sure that your car is clean! Yes, car repair businesses can often be dirty, but a good shop will ensure that your vehicle is clean. It may seem like a small detail, but it makes a difference!

And hold on to your paperwork! It will be important to have in case something goes awry down the road.

Q?

What should I look for before buying a pre-owned vehicle?

A.

Pre-owned vehicles have become the way to go for many buyers these days; there are lots of good deals to take advantage of if you do your research!

Check consumer reviews on the cars.

Another bonus is if the car is still under the factory warranty. Should something happen to the car soon after driving it off the lot, the warranty will make the repairs easier (and cheaper) to take care of.

A test drive is extremely important! Listen closely for any noises, and be sure to take it out on both local roads and the highway to see if there are any noticeable differences.

A CarFax will provide more insight into the car’s history and warn you of any red flags. And make arrangements to get an inspection if the car hasn’t been certified by the manufacturer.