When you take your car to be repaired at a body shop, the technicians will have three different options for parts. These are:
- OEM parts
- Salvage parts
- Aftermarket parts
If you’re reading this, chances are you currently need a car repair and want to make sure you take your car somewhere that will give you the best repair possible. In addition, you may not know what the differences are between car parts, or if there even is any differences. We’re here to help out New Jersey drivers know what each of these parts is and how they can make a major difference in the quality of your repair. Let’s get started:
OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
OEM stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer” and are the exact same parts that your car was made with directly from the factory. These parts are the highest quality out there, guaranteed to fit perfectly and accurately perform any of the advanced safety features your car is built with. Using anything less than OEM parts on today’s vehicles can cause the advanced safety features your car is built with to no longer work.
OEM parts are also the most expensive option and because of this, insurance companies don’t always want to put up the money for them. It’s possible for your insurance policy to state you’ve agreed to the use of NON-OEM parts, such as salvage or aftermarket (which we explain below). You want to check with your policy to see exactly what you’re covered for.
Salvage Parts
Just as the name would imply, salvage parts purchased from a nearby salvage yard. They are often used OEM parts, but it’s not a 100% guarantee. Now, there are some repairs, such as door and hood repair, that don’t necessarily need OEM repairs. However, some policies could require shops use to salvage suspension parts. This is an area where some manufacturers had an issue. For example, certain luxury brands such as Volvo suggest that the steering rack gets completely replaced if there is any front or side damage.
The biggest problem with salvage yard parts is that they could need some work in order to be useable. They could possibly need some metal work or paintwork, depending on the condition of the actual part. Simply using an OEM part would eliminate any potential problems like this in the repair process.
Aftermarket Parts
Lastly, we have aftermarket parts. These are the least desirable for both the repair shop and for you, the customer. However, there are times we may have to use them because they’re the only repair parts you’re covered for under your policy. Aftermarket parts are made by a company other than the original manufacturer. These parts also fit poorly on your vehicle and lack in quality. Quite often, these parts are recalled for warranty issues. Aftermarket parts are also the cheapest. It’s worth noting the manufacturers recommend against the use of aftermarket parts and their use could also void your warranty.
This is why it is very important to understand what parts are being put back on your car and why.
What Are Your Options?
If you only want to use OEM parts, the best thing you can do is pay out of pocket. We can’t give you an actual amount, but it does range from reasonable to pretty expensive. However, OEM repairs are, by far, the safest and highest quality for your car. You want your car to be brought back to the same level of safety it was engineered with and without any “shortcuts” taken in the repair process.
The next option would be to contact your insurance adjuster and see if they would be willing to reconsider the parts usage of your car. Some insurance companies are easier to deal with than others, so it all really depends. Here at Cherry Hill, we can also help you throughout this process.
