About four million times a year accidents happen on German roads; and although the police recorded only about 2.23 million accidents in 2006, the so-called "minor damages" amount to billions. In most cases, insurance companies have to pay for these damages. Whenever damage assessment is an issue, the use of innovative state-of-the-art technology is a perquisite. Therefore, TÜV SÜD in collaboration with AUTOMATION Dr. Nix has now developed a new future-oriented device system improving measurement safety and cost-effectiveness even further.

The new modular coating thickness measurement system TÜV SÜD CoatingCheck is based on the innovative QNix® 8500 technology and guarantees variable and versatile use for varying fields of application. The system automatically identifies the kind of surface - for instance sheet steel or aluminum - on which lacquer or anti-corrosion protection is measured and exactly determines the coatings thickness precisely and safely down to fractions of millimeters. A simple changing of probes allows non-destructive measurements within a measuring range of up to 5000 µm (1µm = 1 micrometer = one thousandth of a millimeter) of varying lacquer and anti-corrosion coating thickness on steel, iron and non-iron metals using only one device. With the extended system the measuring data can be transmitted - for instance via radio - and, using special software, be individually analyzed and documented for each application. Such complete documentation can be of importance when preparing legal opinions, investigations of damage and appraisals. With one device system only, every measuring task can be mastered in a highly flexible and safe manner - saving time and money.

The new lacquer and coating thickness measurement system TÜV SÜD CoatingCheck is used for investigation of damage and appraisals as well as the preparation of third party liability and physical damage insurance reports, experts' opinions on the return leased vehicles and technical experts' opinions for the preservation of evidence by order of individuals, car dealers or courts. An authorized expert inspects the exterior parts of a car's body - regardless of their consisting of metal or aluminum - for evidence of repainting. With the TÜV SÜD Coating Check the reliable identification and documentation of such repainted areas, indicating repaired prior damage is as easy as the determination whether the affected areas were only repainted or if traces of priming are evident underneath the coating. After identification of the coatings thickness determining whether the repairs are in accordance with manufacturer specifications and whether professionals carried them out is just as easy. Should the flat coat be too thick, unprofessional repair work might be the case. Repaired accidental damage may reduce the vehicles replacement value considerably, also in cases of total loss or the calculation of total loss for the evaluation of residual value. Preservation of evidence during the preparation of a technical expert opinion often concerns the identification of concealed prior damage. If such damage is found the sales contract may be rescinded or the purchase price be reduced.