Pre & Post Scans
Full-Service Auto Solutions Under One Roof
Pre and post scans refer to the information stored in your car’s computer system about pre-repair and post-repair conditions of the vehicle. With new electronic elements added to cars each year, these scans can help a technician understand what may be going on with the vehicle before opening the hood or taking it apart. These diagnostic tests are often recommended by the manufacturer and help auto body shops make safe repairs.
Technology continues to advance, which means that new safety features will continue to be added to new vehicles. These systems are there to prevent accidents, but this also means that your sensors could be causing codes and warning lights to appear on your dashboard. Pre and post-scans will help our team to determine the best course of action to repair your vehicle.
Fault Codes That Cause Warning Lights
Technicians will use a computer system that hooks up to the vehicle and provides a more detailed account of what is happening with the internal components. Scanning the codes before and after repairs not only helps technicians to understand why a warning light came on, but also saves that information in the car’s computer system, in order for the safety system to continue to perform its proper functions.
Many vehicles have hundreds of computers in place to help diagnose problems, but not all of them will appear on your dashboard. Check engine lights, low tire pressure, and ABS lights can signal a thousand micro-problems that only a computer diagnostic system will be able to read. An example of what an OE manufacturer states:
During the panel discussion at the 2016 National Autobody Conference Event, the OEM panelists agreed that performing diagnostic scans is necessary. Brian Wayne, the representative from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, stated that the Chrysler Pacifica contains over 200 computers, many of which don’t trigger dashboard warning lights for every little problem.
Imagine having a separate dashboard warning light for every issue or even every system within the vehicle! According to OEMs, it’s not realistic, and scanning vehicles is the only way to identify and diagnose every issue.
Why Pre And Post Scans Are Essential
Pre and post scans will tell the repair technicians whether the computers need to be repaired, replaced, or recalibrated when a vehicle comes into the shop. The post-repair scan will tell them whether the repair itself corrected (or caused) any errors before the vehicle is returned to its owner. The biggest reason for pre-and post-scans is to protect the vehicle and your investment.
Capturing this data helps both the vehicle owner and the technicians to communicate with insurance or manufacturers about what the vehicle truly needs. Running these scans will show information on any repairs, recalibration, or test procedures (like test drives) that are needed to ensure that ALL the damage from the accident gets diagnosed and repaired.
Working With Layton Carcare
The goal of working with an auto body shop is to restore your vehicle to proper functionality. Driving safely on the road is important to our technicians at Layton Carcare no matter what car or customer comes into our business. We are proud to serve our local community and keep drivers of all kinds safe while traveling to work, running errands, or heading out on an adventure. Layton Carcare completes a variety of scans, repairs, and upgrades on a variety of makes and models. When you bring your car into our shop, you will have peace of mind about its future. Extend your car’s lifespan and feel better about navigating the roads by working with the professionals at Layton Carcare.
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How long does a pre- or post-repair scan typically take?
A standard diagnostic scan usually takes between 15 to 30 minutes. However, the exact time can vary depending on your vehicle’s make and model, as some advanced vehicle networks have more complex computer systems that take a bit longer to communicate with our scanning tools.
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Will my auto insurance company cover the cost of these scans?
In most cases, yes. Because vehicle manufacturers strongly recommend or require pre- and post-scans to ensure a safe and complete repair, most insurance companies cover the cost as part of the overall accident repair claim. Our team at Layton Carcare will document the scan data to help substantiate the necessity of these tests to your insurance provider.
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If there are no warning lights on my dashboard, do I still need a post-repair scan?
Yes, absolutely. Many internal vehicle faults or calibration issues do not trigger a dashboard warning light. The post-repair scan is a vital quality-control step that allows our technicians to verify that all hidden electronic systems, sensors, and safety features are communicating perfectly and functioning exactly as the manufacturer intended before you get back on the road.