When it comes to accident repair, the need for flexibility in the selection of parts and panels used in the process has never been greater. It may be a simple case of working with an insurer to reduce repair costs while maintaining job quality, exploring alternatives to avoid a total loss situation, or keeping costs to a budget on a retail job. In these and many other circumstances the bodyshop often needs to reduce the parts and panels bill, but without compromising on quality.

The solution for more and more accident repairers across Ireland is the Somora Certified Body Parts Programme. This has gradually been expanding since it was first introduced in 2011 and now covers a very comprehensive parts selection across most makes and models including; bonnets, bumpers, wings, front panel assemblies, grilles, mouldings, trim and much more. These collision parts are all manufactured to exact specifications and are all independently certified by one or more of the four main organisations involved in the certification of aftermarket body parts; TÜV, Centro Zaragoza, Thatcham or CAPA.

Certification means that all of these parts have been subjected to a strict and comprehensive test programme that cover, quality of fit on a vehicle, interconnection with other components, fitting times, control of raw materials, and many other aspects of the manufacturing process. This ensures that a certified part is as close to original equipment quality as is possible. Indeed Somora will issue such parts with a Certificate of Matching Quality to show that it meets strict EU and BSI standards. All Somora Certified Parts are also marked with a sticker issued by the relevant testing authority and are identified as certified in Somora online catalogue and printed catalogues. To give the bodyshop and the motorist complete peace of mind, these certified parts are also subject to the Somora Certified Parts Lifetime Warranty.

Stephen Lawless, Somora Sales Manager, says, "These certified parts can offer a considerable cost saving, but also provide a level of quality and performance to match the original. For example, the certified body panels are galvanised with an advanced zinc coating which is very similar to the treatment used on the OE panel and ensures the highest levels of corrosion protection.”

Somora is also continually expanding it certified body panels and parts programme to offer bodyshops greater choice and more repair flexibility. The parts can be obtained through a nationwide network of motor factors and there is a full product catalogue with VRM look-up at www.somora.ie for easy identification.

Stephen adds, "The use of these lower cost, but guaranteed quality, certified parts can often be the difference between a bodyshop carrying out the work on a vehicle, or the job not happening at all. They allow a repairer much more flexibility in job estimating, but without any compromise on quality.”