OEM position statements are the manufacturer's stated positions on how their vehicles should be repaired, and they are a powerful tool for supporting your operations. Used well, they turn arguable line items into documented requirements. Here is how.
OEM position statements are documents in which a vehicle manufacturer sets out its position on a specific repair-related question. Where a full repair procedure tells you how to do a repair, a position statement states the manufacturer's stance on a particular issue, for example, its position on a certain repair practice or requirement. They are part of the manufacturer's authoritative guidance on how their vehicles should be repaired. For a collision shop, position statements are valuable because they carry the weight of the manufacturer's authority on the questions they address. When a manufacturer has taken a clear position on how something should be handled, that position is a strong reference point. Understanding what position statements are, and that they exist for many repair questions, is the first step to using them effectively in your shop.
Position statements are useful because they move an operation from the shop's opinion to the manufacturer's stated position. - They carry the manufacturer's authority on the question - They can establish that an operation follows the manufacturer's guidance - They turn an arguable point into a documented position - They support operations that might otherwise be questioned - They strengthen the case for a proper, complete repair The power of a position statement is that it transforms an operation from something the shop asserts into something backed by the manufacturer's stated position. When an operation aligns with a manufacturer's position statement, it is no longer just the shop's judgment; it follows the manufacturer's guidance. This is especially valuable for operations that might otherwise be questioned. A position statement provides authoritative support, which is far more persuasive than the shop's opinion alone in making the case for a proper repair.
The practical use of position statements is in supporting the operations on your estimates and supplements. - Cite the relevant position statement for an operation - Use it to document why an operation is performed - Support a supplement with the manufacturer's position - Tie the operation to the manufacturer's stated guidance - Make the documentation clear and specific Where a position statement supports an operation you are performing, citing it strengthens your documentation. Referencing the relevant statement establishes that the operation follows the manufacturer's guidance, which supports it on the estimate or in a supplement. This is particularly useful when an operation might be questioned: pointing to the manufacturer's own position is a strong, specific justification. The key is to cite the relevant statement clearly and tie it directly to the operation it supports, making the connection explicit.
To use position statements, a shop needs to know they exist and be able to find the relevant ones. - Manufacturers publish position statements on repair questions - Knowing they exist is the first step - Finding the relevant statement for a given issue matters - Keeping the ones you use available helps - Staying aware of manufacturer positions is part of doing repairs well Using position statements starts with knowing they exist and being able to locate the relevant one for a given repair question. A shop that is aware of manufacturer positions, and can find and reference the applicable statement, is equipped to use them. Keeping the statements you regularly rely on accessible, and staying aware of the positions relevant to the vehicles you repair, makes it practical to cite them when needed rather than being unaware of support that was available.
Position statements work best as part of a broader habit of documenting and justifying operations thoroughly. - They complement repair procedures and other documentation - They fit a habit of justifying operations with evidence - Together with photos and detail, they build a strong case - A documentation-first approach makes them most effective - They are one tool in supporting a complete repair Position statements are most powerful as part of a shop's overall commitment to documenting and justifying its work. Alongside repair procedures, photos, and clear descriptions, position statements add authoritative support to the case for each operation. A shop that documents thoroughly and justifies operations with evidence uses position statements naturally as one strong tool among several. This documentation-first approach, with position statements included, is what builds estimates and supplements that are well supported and hard to dispute.
**What is an OEM position statement?** A document in which a manufacturer states its position on a specific repair-related question, part of its authoritative guidance on repairing its vehicles. **Why are they useful?** They move an operation from the shop's opinion to the manufacturer's stated position, providing authoritative support for operations that might otherwise be questioned. **How do I use them?** Cite the relevant statement to support an operation on an estimate or supplement, tying it clearly to the operation it justifies. **Where do I find them?** Manufacturers publish them on repair questions. Knowing they exist and being able to find the relevant one is the starting point. **How do they fit my process?** As one strong tool in a documentation-first approach, alongside repair procedures, photos, and clear descriptions.