CAADE Vehicle Damage Assessment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When writing an estimate for a vehicle with aluminum body panels, which labor consideration differs most from working with steel?
- Aluminum requires higher paint material costs only
- Aluminum requires dedicated tools and cannot share steel repair equipment due to contamination risk (Correct answer)
- Aluminum panels are always replaced rather than repaired
- Aluminum body work requires no additional certifications
Correct answer: Aluminum requires dedicated tools and cannot share steel repair equipment due to contamination risk
Steel particles contaminating aluminum cause galvanic corrosion, so aluminum-specific tools, dollies, and workspaces must be maintained separately.
Question 2: A vehicle's ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) camera is mounted on the windshield. After windshield replacement, what procedure is mandatory before returning the vehicle?
- Resetting the tire pressure monitoring system
- ADAS camera calibration (static or dynamic) (Correct answer)
- Replacing the cabin air filter
- Updating the vehicle's navigation maps
Correct answer: ADAS camera calibration (static or dynamic)
Windshield replacement alters the camera's mounting angle; calibration restores correct sensor alignment so safety systems like lane-keep assist function accurately.
Question 3: On an estimate, 'betterment' charges are applied when:
- A repair takes longer than the guide time
- A worn or high-mileage part is replaced with a new part that improves the vehicle's pre-loss condition (Correct answer)
- An OEM part is substituted with an aftermarket alternative
- The insurer disputes the appraiser's labor rate
Correct answer: A worn or high-mileage part is replaced with a new part that improves the vehicle's pre-loss condition
Betterment (depreciation) offsets the owner's gain from receiving a new component in place of a worn one, restoring only pre-loss value rather than upgrading it.
Question 4: Which scan type should be performed BEFORE any repairs begin on a modern vehicle involved in a collision?
- Post-repair scan only
- Pre-repair diagnostic scan (Correct answer)
- VIN decoding scan
- Emission readiness scan
Correct answer: Pre-repair diagnostic scan
A pre-repair scan captures existing fault codes and module status, establishing a baseline so new damage-related codes can be distinguished from pre-existing conditions.
Question 5: When a door shell is replaced, which operation is typically listed as an 'overlap' deduction on the estimate?
- Color sand and buff
- Door glass removal and installation (Correct answer)
- Applying seam sealer
- Replacing the door latch
Correct answer: Door glass removal and installation
Door glass R&I is considered an overlap because it must be removed to replace the door regardless, so its labor is partially or fully included in adjacent operations.
Question 6: A vehicle shows evidence of a prior repair: mismatched paint texture, improper panel gaps, and filler visible under an edge. This type of finding most significantly affects:
- The current damage repair cost only
- Pre-loss value and the appraiser's assessment of condition (Correct answer)
- Only the paint refinish line on the estimate
- Alignment of the new bumper cover
Correct answer: Pre-loss value and the appraiser's assessment of condition
Evidence of prior unrepaired or improperly repaired damage affects the vehicle's pre-loss condition and actual cash value, which the appraiser must document and disclose.
Question 7: Which type of structural damage describes a condition where the front or rear of the vehicle has moved upward relative to the center of the vehicle?
- Sway
- Diamond
- Sag (Correct answer)
- Twist
Correct answer: Sag
Sag is a downward bend at the center of the vehicle structure, effectively raising the front and/or rear relative to the rocker/center section.
CAADE Vehicle Damage Assessment 3
When writing an estimate for a vehicle with aluminum body panels, which labor consideration differs most from working with steel?