CAPA Celebrates 15 Years of Vehicle Test Fit Program - BodyShop Business

CAPA Celebrates 15 Years of Vehicle Test Fit Program

Program has performed more than 10,000 tests since 1999 to ensure parts match OE specifications.

The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) is celebrating the milestone of the creation of its Vehicle Test Fit (VTF) program.

Since incorporating the program in 1999, CAPA has performed more than 10,000 VTFs to ensure that the gap, flush and fit of CAPA parts match those of OE parts. Since then, there has been a dramatic increase in the quality of the aftermarket parts submitted for testing under CAPA’s rigorous certification standards.

CAPA says its program was so successful that after it was initiated, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) performed blind test fits to compare CAPA Certified parts to OE service parts.  CIC participants selected the CAPA Certified part five out of eight times as a better fit.

“While today CAPA’s unique vehicle test fit process has become the industry-accepted standard for test fitting aftermarket parts, it was entirely innovative when we introduced it,” said Debbie Klouser, CAPA’s director of operations. “Considering all of CAPA’s extensive certification requirements, the VTF has played the single most critical role in today’s acceptance of CAPA Certified parts as the best way to contain repair costs without compromising quality.”  
           
In order for a part to become CAPA Certified, it must go through a rigorous set of comparative tests to determine fit. These tests ensure that all of the important fit, finish, material and performance properties of the CAPA Certified part are the same as the OE brand part.

“Because full transparency is critically important when evaluating the efficacy of any certification program, CAPA makes all of its standards, procedures, tolerances and processes fully available to anyone who asks,” said Jack Gillis, CAPA executive director.


More information:

CAPA

You May Also Like

Corby’s Collision Center: Since 1942

Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started Corby’s in a little gas station in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.

Corby’s Collision, Inc. has been repairing vehicles since 1942 when Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started their automotive venture in Honeoye Falls, N.Y., in a little gas station on North Main Street. In 1954, the business moved to its present location at 1212 Rochester St., where they continued repairing vehicles and selling Arctic Cat and Ski Doo snowmobiles. In 1985, Larry and Bonnie Corby purchased the family business, expanding in 1996 when they opened a second location in the Canandaigua area as Corby’s Precision Collision at Ontario Imports in the Ontario Mazda building. In 1999, the Canandaigua business was moved to its present location at 2460 State Route 332. Now, as the third generation, Leslie (Corby) and Kelly Craft continue to carry on the family tradition.

CIF Announces Enterprise as Repeat Annual Donor

Enterprise has donated for the fourth consecutive time at the Urgent Care (second highest) tier.

NABC Donates Recycled Ride to Central Georgia Mom

The NAB), GEICO and Five Star Collision Center-Wimbish recently donated a refurbished vehicle to a deserving mother of four.

NABC Donates Recycled Rides at NORTHEAST Show

The NABC, GEICO, Mountain View Auto and Collision Center of New Jersey donated two refurbished vehicles at the recent NORTHEAST Show.

Crash Champions Expands in Idaho

Crash Champions has announced the acquisition of Addison Collision Repair in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Other Posts

Auto Care Association Welcomes GAO Report on Vehicle Repair Restrictions

The Auto Care Association is renewing its call for Congress to advance federal Right to Repair legislation that protects independent business owners and consumers.

ProColor Collision Welcomes First Shop in Montana

ProColor Collision Gallatin Valley is operated by Robert Rinta and Simon Gratch, who both served honorably in the Montana National Guard.

Association News

The latest association news appearing on bodyshopbusiness.com.

Podcasts of the Week

A review of some of the latest podcasts from BodyShop Business.