Roadmap to Repair: Finding Your Way Through OEM Procedures

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

Once upon a time, repairing a vehicle felt a lot like driving familiar roads – you knew the turns and recognized the landmarks, so even when something unexpected came up, experience filled in the gaps. You may not have held written directions in your hands, but you knew how to get where you were going. Today, that road is gone.

Due to ever-increasing vehicle complexity and the vast variety of systems a car may (or may not) contain, modern vehicle repair feels less like a leisurely Sunday afternoon drive and more like navigating an unfamiliar city during rush hour. The only reliable way to safely reach your destination is by following a map.

Repair procedures are this map, and OEMs are the cartographers who draw the most trustworthy versions. Every vehicle manufacturer publishes OEM repair procedures that outline exactly how a vehicle must be repaired, providing detailed instructions that account for materials, structural integrity, safety systems and ADAS.

“You need to check all the OEM procedures, on every vehicle, every time,” preaches Mike Anderson (Collision Advice).

Those OEM procedures serve as the original GPS coordinates. They are precise, authoritative and designed by the people who built the vehicle, yet accessing them can feel like trying to navigate 10 different mapping apps at once. Each manufacturer has its own portal, its own interface and its own subscription requirements. Logging into one may be manageable; accessing several throughout the day can quickly become a barrier to efficiency.

The truth of the matter is that access to the necessary data is not the problem when it comes to researching repair procedures; the challenge is effectively navigating the staggering amount of information available to determine one’s next step. It’s the equivalent of taking a trip with 247 turns – every quarter mile. Despite your best efforts, it’s really easy to miss something, leading to an unintentional error. But it’s much easier to backtrack when you’re driving a car than when you’re repairing one!

“Shops are overwhelmed by the time commitment of pulling all the procedures and following them in detail,” AASPMN Executive Director Linden Wicklund acknowledges, but she stresses, “That is no reason to look the other way!” Those who do just might find themselves lost.

So, how can shops stay on the right path?

To make navigation easier, many estimating systems have begun embedding repair procedures directly into the workflow. Within platforms like CCC ONE and Mitchell TechAdvisor, procedures can now be tied to specific line items in an estimate. As operations are added, the system surfaces related OEM requirements, essentially turning the estimate into a guided route. Instead of flipping between screens or systems, the directions appear alongside the work itself. This capability has proven to be a meaningful shift for many mechanical and collision repair shops as it reduces the chances of missing a step and keeps critical procedures visible throughout the repair process. But like any navigation tool, it only works if it’s followed precisely.

However, Danny Gredinberg of the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) discourages repairers from relying on the estimating systems alone. The DEG serves as a free resource where shops can complain about missing or incorrect data in estimating systems.

“When using repair information from third-party information providers, it’s absolutely critical to always confirm the origin of the repair information making sure it’s the latest document available from the OEM source as third-party information may be outdated, incorrect or not applicable to the specific VIN in question,” Gredinberg cautions, recommending that shops leverage articles and position statements available from the OEMs through OEM1Stop, I-CAR RTS and information providers who supply such documents. He also suggests verifying procedures through software like RepairLogic and ALLDATA.

These platforms act as consolidated maps, pulling OEM procedures into a single interface where technicians, service writers and estimators can access them without jumping between multiple systems.These types of tools go in a slightly different direction, acting less like a static map and more like a live navigation system. Users can scan an estimate and identify likely gaps – flagging required steps like pre- and post-scans, calibrations or one-time-use components – and even highlight critical repairs. This type of “GPS” basically recognizes when you’ve missed a turn and offers an option to reroute. While these options can never replace a technician’s expertise, they support that experience and provide a clearer picture of the road ahead as the number of required repair steps continues to increase.

OEM1Stop provides another consolidated map by gathering data from all participating manufacturers in one website. “Every repair procedure is available,” Mark Allen (Audi of America) speaks to the accessibility of the necessary repair steps. “You may have to pay for them, but you can get them any day, week or month of the year. The easiest way to access them is through OEM1Stop. Every OEM that participates in the roundtable provides links. All you have to do is click and follow it through.”

And when technicians struggle to understand the meaning of a procedure, I-CAR steps in as the primary source for training repairers on how to read these procedures.

Still, it’s hard to follow through with the correct steps unless you begin with the right blueprint. One of the most consistent breakdowns in the repair process happens when procedures are pulled too late. Trying to research steps after the repair has already begun is like searching for directions halfway through the trip – after you’ve already taken a long detour. Recovery is possible, but it’s going to take some time.

It’s much more efficient to begin the repair with a clear blueprint that identifies all affected systems, includes OEM procedures for each operation and provides a clear map of the required steps – all before beginning the job. Making the effort upfront reduces surprises, improves accuracy and ensures everything is headed in the right direction.

Of course, in the world of mechanical and collision repair, following the map is only part of the journey – proving that you followed it is just as important. Proper documentation acts as a travel log, recording where you’ve been and how you got there. Without it, even the most carefully executed repair can be difficult to defend. After all, a procedure followed but not documented is a procedure not performed, both legally and from a bill-payer’s perspective.

Proof comes in the form of a complete file – save copies of the OEM procedures used, attach them to the repair order, capture photos during critical steps, and create time-stamped records. If you cannot demonstrate the path taken, it’s impossible to prove that you didn’t implement a shortcut.

Fortunately, many modern platforms allow procedures to be stored directly within the estimate or repair file, creating a built-in record of compliance. Tools like Shopmonkey, Tekmetric or Indentifix allow technicians to take photos and videos during the repair, automatically time-stamping and geo-tagging each photo.

But what happens when the map is incomplete? There are times when procedures are unclear, unavailable or difficult to locate. In those moments, shops have options, but guessing should never be one of them. Support tools such as library request services and OEM technical resources can help fill in missing information. Some platforms offer rapid response times, allowing shops to get answers without significant delays. It may take extra effort, but ensuring the repair remains on the right route makes it all worthwhile.

Perhaps the most important step a shop can take is to standardize how procedures are found, followed and documented because, without consistency, even the best tools become unreliable. Determine who is responsible for pulling procedures, create a checklist for every repair, identify what documentation is required at specific stages, and conduct regular audits on completed repair files.

When navigation becomes a system instead of an individual effort, the entire operation becomes more predictable…and more defensible.

There’s no doubt that the road to mechanical and collision repair has become more twisted and circuitous: vehicles are more advanced, procedures are more detailed and the time required to research and document repairs continues to grow. While that pressure is constant, the expectation for a safe and proper repair hasn’t changed.

To accomplish that, each repair requires a clear path AND a commitment to follow it. At the end of the day, the goal isn’t merely to complete the journey; it’s to arrive safely, with every step accounted for.

Maps don’t slow you down; they keep you from getting lost. And in an industry where the stakes are higher than ever, knowing exactly where you’re going – and how you got there – is no longer optional. It’s essential.

Want more? Check out the May 2026 issue of AASP-MN News!