Since August 1, 2026, we run our own workshop in Erlangen-Frauenaurach. It has about 235 square meters. The workshop has a vehicle lift, a photo studio and an office. We do not repair cars there. In most cases, nothing changes. We still inspect your vehicle where it is, in Erlangen, Nuremberg, Fürth, Herzogenaurach and the rest of the region. This page describes the special case where we need the workshop: damage that cannot be fully assessed at the roadside.
Maximilian Fromm
Founder and Mechatronics Engineer (B.Sc.)
Workshop Frauenaurach · Additional location since August 1, 2026 · 235 square meters · With vehicle lift, photo studio and office. Willi-Grasser-Straße 21, 91056 Erlangen, near exit 82 of the A3 highway.
Maximilian Fromm · Independent vehicle expert for damage and valuation, engineer (B.Sc. in Mechatronics)
Engineer (B.Sc. in Mechatronics) · Certified knowledge examination at SFV e.V. · Member of the VDI (Association of German Engineers) · Own workshop with vehicle lift
Most damage can be inspected where the vehicle is parked. For some damage patterns, this is not enough. The key finding is underneath the car, or it needs controlled conditions. Examples: you suspect underbody damage because the car hit the ground. An axle needs a closer check after an impact. The frame may be bent after a hard front or rear collision. Another example is separating prior damage (Vorschaden) from new damage when you can only see it from below. In these cases, we tell you in advance that we will bring the vehicle to the workshop in Frauenaurach. We do not inspect it at the roadside or in the yard of the repair shop. This is the exception, not the rule, and we agree on it with you beforehand.
On the vehicle lift, you can see what stays hidden on the ground: underbody protection, exhaust system, axle suspension, control arms, transmission and the body from below. A photo taken with a phone on the ground, or a short look under the car, does not replace this. Deformations of the frame rail or axle mount often show only in direct comparison with the other side, or under the lighting in the workshop. This matters most when separating prior damage from new damage. If nobody checks a point from below, the report (Gutachten) may leave it open. This can later be a reason for a reduced payment (Kürzung).
For valuation reports (Wertgutachten), Youngtimer (modern classic, 15 to 30 years) and Oldtimer (classic car, 30+ years) and for paint assessments, we take photos in the photo studio of the workshop. What matters there is controlled, even light. There are no disturbing reflections and no changing daylight, which you cannot fully control at the roadside. A paint thickness measurement or the assessment of the condition for a valuation report needs exactly the same conditions every time. Two photos from the same angle under the same conditions can be compared. Two photos taken in different weather cannot be compared easily.
A Report must still be clear months later. This applies to the insurer, to a repair shop, and to court proceedings. Photos taken under repeatable conditions are easier to check later than photos taken under time pressure at the roadside. Repeatable conditions mean constant light, comparable angles and no blur from changing weather. This is the real reason for the workshop, not convenience. It matters most when individual details must be easy to follow. Examples are a paint thickness measurement, an underbody photo or the exact documentation for a valuation report.
The workshop is at Willi-Grasser-Straße 21, 91056 Erlangen, in the district of Frauenaurach. It is near exit 82 of the A3 and a short drive from Herzogenaurach. The workshop also has an office. We arrange appointments for a workshop inspection by phone beforehand, so the vehicle lift and photo studio are free for your vehicle. Handover works like any other inspection. You bring the vehicle, or we agree on a pickup with you. We tell you in advance how long the work in the workshop will probably take.
We arrange appointments for a workshop inspection by phone beforehand, so the vehicle lift and photo studio are free for your vehicle.
You bring the vehicle, or we agree on a pickup with you.
We tell you in advance how long the inspection in the workshop will probably take.
The normal case remains the inspection where your vehicle is: at home, at the repair shop, at the towing service or at the accident scene. For ordinary damage, this takes 30 to 45 minutes. You do not have to drive anywhere. We only use the workshop in Frauenaurach when the specific damage requires it. Even then, we agree on it with you beforehand. This page describes an additional option, not a new requirement for your report.
No. The normal case remains the inspection where your vehicle is. We use the workshop in Frauenaurach only for certain damage patterns, and we agree on it with you beforehand.
We use it if underbody damage is suspected, if the axle may be out of alignment, or if the frame may be bent. We also use it when we can only separate prior damage from new damage from below. In all other cases, the on-site inspection is enough.
Controlled, even light without reflections and without changing daylight. This matters most for valuation reports, Youngtimer and Oldtimer valuations and paint assessments. In these cases, comparable and repeatable photos are important.
Willi-Grasser-Straße 21, 91056 Erlangen, in the district of Frauenaurach, near exit 82 of the A3.
From the Erlangen city center, it is a few minutes by car. From Herzogenaurach, it is also a short drive via exit 82 of the A3. We clarify the details of the route when we book the appointment.
Yes, we agree on this with you by phone beforehand. We also agree on an appointment for a time when the vehicle lift and photo studio are free for your vehicle.
The workshop has an office, but we do not plan a separate consultation appointment there. You clarify questions about your case by phone beforehand, as usual. The workshop itself is for the vehicle inspection on the vehicle lift and in the photo studio.
They become part of the report, like any other damage inspection photos, and go to the recipients you name.
Yes, the vehicle lift is designed for different vehicle classes. For larger vehicles, we clarify this by phone beforehand.
We decide this on a technical basis, using the description of how the accident happened and the visible damage. We discuss it with you before we book an appointment at the workshop.
Are you not sure whether your damage needs the vehicle lift? Describe it to us by phone or on WhatsApp. We tell you whether the on-site inspection is enough or whether we bring the vehicle to the workshop in Frauenaurach. This assessment is a free initial assessment and does not obligate you to anything. You can find all ways to contact us on the contact page.
