OEM, aftermarket or recycled: choosing the parts that go into your collision repair

Three kinds of parts, and the short answer

OEM parts are new parts made for your vehicle's manufacturer, aftermarket parts are new parts made by other companies to fit your vehicle, and recycled parts are original manufacturer parts taken from another vehicle. For structural parts, safety-related components and newer vehicles, OEM parts are usually the safest choice for fit and function. For older vehicles and simple cosmetic parts, a good aftermarket or recycled part can be a sensible way to control cost. The right answer depends on the part, the vehicle and how long you plan to keep it.

Depending on the repair, a collision estimate can call for any of the three, and sometimes all three on the same car. What matters to us at ACE Body & Frame is that each part fits, works and lasts. This guide explains how to make that choice with your eyes open instead of discovering it on the invoice.

What the labels on an estimate really mean

Estimates use different abbreviations depending on the software, but almost every part falls into one of a few categories. If your estimate uses a term you do not recognize, ask the shop to translate it before you approve the repair.

• OEM, or original equipment manufacturer: a new part supplied through the vehicle maker, the same design as the part being replaced
• Aftermarket: a new part made by an independent company to fit your vehicle; quality varies by maker and by part
• Recycled, used or LKQ: an original manufacturer part removed from another vehicle, usually one that was totaled for damage elsewhere
• Reconditioned or remanufactured: a used part that has been repaired, refinished or rebuilt, common for wheels and some bumpers
• Repair: the original part on your vehicle is repaired rather than replaced

Where the choice of part matters most

Structural and safety-related parts deserve the most care. Rails, reinforcements, bumper beams, brackets that hold sensors and cameras, and the components that absorb crash energy were engineered as a system. A part that looks right but differs in thickness, material or mounting points may fit well enough to install and still behave differently in the next collision, or hold a sensor at a slightly different angle.

Fit is the other big issue. Hoods, fenders and doors have to line up with the panels around them, and even small differences show up as uneven gaps or a door that needs a slam to close. Headlight assemblies matter for safety as well as appearance, since aim and output affect what you can see at night. On a newer vehicle with driver assistance features, OEM parts are usually the safer recommendation wherever sensors or cameras are mounted, and the estimate should make clear which parts those are.

Where an alternative part can be the smart choice

On a vehicle that is several years old, with a bumper cover, grille or mirror housing that is purely cosmetic, a quality aftermarket part can do the job well at a lower cost. Recycled parts are often an excellent choice, because they are original manufacturer parts and frequently arrive in the right color or close to it. For a work truck that will see hard use, a recycled door or bed side from the same model can get the vehicle back on the road sooner than waiting on a back-ordered new part.

The key word is quality. Not every aftermarket part is equal, and not every recycled part is in good condition. Some aftermarket parts are tested and certified by independent programs, and that is worth asking about. A good shop checks every part when it arrives, test-fits it before paint and sends back parts that do not fit, instead of forcing them to work.

What Texas insurers can and cannot decide

Texas gives drivers real say in this. The Texas Department of Insurance's consumer bill of rights for insured drivers says you can choose the repair shop and parts for your vehicle, and that an insurance company cannot tell you or the body shop what brand, age, vendor or condition of parts you can use. The same page notes that insurers are not required to pay more than a reasonable amount, and the department's auto insurance guide says insurers are only required to pay for parts of like kind and quality to those that were damaged.

In practice, that means you can ask for OEM parts, but if the insurer's estimate is based on a less expensive part, there may be a gap between what the policy pays and what the part costs. Whether you pay that difference depends on your policy and the insurer. Some policies address parts directly, so it is worth asking a licensed agent such as Aaron Husman, who writes property and casualty insurance, what yours says before you need it. And if someone has told you the insurer gets the final word on everything, our guide to common myths about wrecks and insurers is worth a read.

Fit, finish and the parts that go back

Every part should be checked before it goes on the car. Panels are test-fitted before paint so any problem shows up while it is still easy to fix. A part with poor fit, a damaged mounting tab or the wrong design for your trim level should be returned, and that is a normal part of the process rather than a failure.

You are entitled to know what went on your vehicle. The Federal Trade Commission's auto repair advice suggests asking for the replaced parts back and getting a completed repair order that lists each part supplied. A shop that is comfortable with what it installed will not mind either request. When we finish a repair, we are happy to show you which parts were replaced and what type they were.

Classics, motor homes and parts nobody makes anymore

For some vehicles, the choice is not OEM versus aftermarket, because the manufacturer stopped making the part long ago. Classic cars and trucks often depend on recycled parts, reproduction panels and parts that are repaired or fabricated by hand. Welding and fabrication are part of what we do in-house, which means a rusted or damaged section can sometimes be rebuilt rather than replaced with a part that does not exist.

Motor homes and RVs bring their own challenges. Body panels are often fiberglass and specific to one manufacturer and model year, and parts can take time to locate. Fiberglass repair is frequently the better option when a replacement panel is hard to find, and it is work we handle in our own shop along with RV glass and body repair.

Timing, leases and resale: the side effects of the choice

Part type affects more than price. New OEM parts for a popular model often arrive quickly, but parts for less common vehicles or recently redesigned models can be back-ordered, and a single missing bracket can hold up an otherwise finished repair. Recycled parts can be faster when a matching vehicle is available nearby, and aftermarket parts are often stocked by regional distributors. When getting the vehicle back quickly matters, as it does for a work van or the only car in the household, ask the shop which option is likely to arrive first.

If your vehicle is leased, read the lease agreement or call the leasing company before you approve non-OEM parts, because some leases set expectations about repairs and condition at turn-in. If you plan to sell or trade the vehicle in the next year or two, think about how the repair will look to a buyer who opens the hood or runs a hand along the panel gaps. A part that fits perfectly is invisible. A part that almost fits is the first thing an appraiser notices.

None of this means one type of part is always right. It means the decision should be made deliberately, with your plans for the vehicle in mind, rather than left to whatever the first estimate happened to list.

Questions to settle before the parts are ordered

The best time to talk about parts is before the order goes in, not after the car is reassembled. Bring these questions to the estimate review. Our guide on what drives a collision repair bill explains how part choices affect the total, and the guide on how to choose a body shop covers the rest of what to ask.

• Which parts on this estimate are OEM, aftermarket, recycled or repaired?
• Are any structural, safety or sensor-related parts non-OEM, and why?
• If I want OEM parts, what is the difference in cost and who pays it?
• How long will each part take to arrive?
• What happens if a part arrives and does not fit properly?
• Will I be able to see the old parts and get a list of what was installed?

Decide with the shop, before the work starts

Parts decisions are easier with the car and the estimate in front of you. Bring your vehicle to our shop in Balch Springs, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for a free computerized estimate. We will show you which parts the repair needs, which options exist for each and what we would recommend for your vehicle and how you use it.

We accept all insurance claims and work with the insurer on your behalf, including the conversations about parts. We repair cars, trucks, fleet vehicles, RVs and classics for drivers and businesses in Mesquite and the surrounding southeast Dallas County area, and every repair is satisfaction guaranteed.

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