ASA Releases Position Statement on Scanning Compensation for Collision Repairers

ASA Releases Position Statement on Scanning Compensation

ASA, SCRS and the AASP have acknowledged the act of scanning a vehicle using a qualified scan tool as a necessary and not-included operation.

On behalf of the combined efforts from industry associations, collision repair professionals, scan tool providers and various subject matter experts, the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) acknowledge the act of scanning a vehicle using a qualified scan tool as a necessary and not-included operation that is legitimately expressed on a repair order with either a fixed cost, in labor hours and/or set dollar amount.

All other procedures necessary to correctly and safely identify and address a vehicle’s electronic system faults or diagnostic trouble codes (DTC)s are considered additional operations and not included in the scanning operation. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Prepping the vehicle for a scan
  • Researching, verifying and documenting manufacturers’ data
  • Vehicle diagnostics
  • Systems programming
  • Systems initialization
  • ADAS calibrations
  • Test driving
  • Definitions

Scanning is defined as a mechanical operation to connect a qualified diagnostic scan tool into an OBD-II port or other communication ports in order to retrieve all diagnostic trouble codes (DTC)s using the most current, available OEM information to ensure a proper and safe repair.

Qualified scan tools are defined as devices approved by the vehicle’s manufacturer (OEM) to provide a repair technician access to the status of the vehicle’s sub-systems. OEM-approved scan tools are specific to each OEM and have the complete suite of capabilities as determined by their service engineering groups.

These devices are:

  • Used to query, display and document all vehicles’ control system networks (through security gateways if applicable)
  • Capable of identifying all equipped electronic control units (ECUs)
  • Capable of identifying all DTCs
  • Capable of generating a report

Scan tools are manufactured in a variety of hardware and software configurations, including PC/laptop-based software application tools connected with a vehicle’s communication interface, to handheld (embedded) tools with built in interfaces and software.

Labor hours/dollar amounts are defined as reasonable and necessary amounts that may vary depending on year/make/model and scan tool used.

Qualified scanning personnel should be familiar with:

  • Scan tool operation
  • Vehicle specific setup operations
  • Adding battery support
  • Researching vehicle manufacturer repair procedures
  • Diagnostic code interpretation

“I want to thank the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Collision Division Director Mike LeVasseur for taking the lead on this challenge,” said Ray Fisher, president of ASA.

Added LeVasseur, “First and foremost, I want to thank the ASA Collision Operations Committee for all of their hard work. I also want to thank some of the industry’s top leaders, industry educators and industry vendors who gave thankless hours and devotion to achieve a very comprehensive approach to a major industry challenge. We feel that we hit the mark, and with the valued input and support of SCRS and AASP. This should prove to bring a more united clarity when writing, negotiating and repairing the complex safety systems in today’s vehicles. It is our desire that these efforts objectively open dialogue, reduce the friction and maximize yields.”

You May Also Like

Auto Care Association Applauds FTC, DOJ Comments on Right to Repair

The comments were in support of the renewal and expansion of exemptions facilitating consumers’ and businesses’ right to repair their own products.

The Auto Care Association is applauding recent comments the FTC and DOJ made supporting renewal and expansion of exemptions facilitating consumers’ and businesses’ right to repair their own products.

"Auto Care Association supports the Joint Comment of the DOJ and the FTC encouraging the Librarian of Congress to renew and expand repair-related exemptions that would promote competition in markets for replacement parts, repair and maintenance services, as well as facilitate competition in markets for repairable products," said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. "In particular, on behalf of the entire automotive aftermarket, Auto Care Association agrees with the DOJ and the FTC that the Class 7 exemption to allow vehicle owners and repair facilities greater access to vehicle diagnostic and telematics data for monitoring purposes is critically important to lower the cost of repairs, improve access to repair services, and minimize costly and inconvenient delays." 

Auto Care Association Launches REPAIR Act Video Campaign

In the new campaign, shop owners from across the U.S. share their stories on the increased challenges independent repair shops are facing with accessing repair data to service their customers’ vehicles.

AASP/NJ Mourns Loss of Board Member Sam Mikhail

Mikhail was an AASP/NJ Hall of Famer and served on the AASP/NJ board for decades.

SCRS Announces Podium as Newest Corporate Member

Podium provide solutions that allow collision repair centers to capitalize on messaging, customer feedback, online reviews, selling products and requesting payments.

WIN Announces 2024 Most Influential Women Award Recipients

The Most Influential Women awards honor women whose career achievements have enhanced the collision repair industry.

Other Posts

ASA Calls on Oklahoma Legislature to Oppose Storage Bill

ASA believes limits imposed by the bill would force repairers to charge storage fees at a rate well below the fair market.

TEXA Releases IDC5 CAR 76.5.0 Software Update

IDC5 CAR 76.5.0 includes the update of 37 makes, including electric and hybrid vehicles.

ADAS Calibration Training: Back to School

Jason Stahl talks with Kurt Fenzel of I-CAR on his experience teaching hands-on ADAS calibration courses to the collision industry.

U.S. House Holds Hearing on EV Fires

The hearing dealt in part with concern for auto repair technicians and their need for training.