Getting into a car accident is by no means fun. But if you are not familiar with the terminology of spare parts, sending it to a repair shop with ratings and spare parts can be overwhelming. Terms such as OEM, aftermarket and remanufactured parts can be used to describe new parts that will repair a damaged car to make it safe and operational again.
So what is OEM?
OEM is short for original equipment manufacturer. This means that parts are made directly by the manufacturer of your car, and not by a third-party manufacturer. OEM parts, since they are manufactured by the manufacturer, meet the specifications of the specific make and model of your car, and since they are designed for your car, they are ideal for your car without any changes.
With OEM parts, you get a great guarantee that you will receive the highest quality item, as well as a guarantee that this part is free from defects. This confirmation has a higher price than spare parts or even salvaged parts. Some insurance companies will not pay for the original part without requiring the use of the original parts before the accident. This choice would lead to an increase in the insurance account.
What are spare parts?
Spare parts are manufactured by a company that is not the manufacturer of your vehicle. They can be produced in large volumes and meet the specifications of various types of vehicles, and not just one make and model of car. In quality, they are similar to the original parts, but may not be perfect, because they are made by a third party, usually this leads to a slight change in the part in accordance with the exact model and technical characteristics of your car.
In addition to being “off the market”, aftermarket parts are generally cheaper and more affordable as a spare part for your car.
Even if there may be room for a aftermarket for repairing spare parts, we advise taking precautions regarding what your manufacturer claims as a safe repair, which parts you can or cannot use as a replacement.
Most insurance companies choose aftermarket parts as part of the choice because they are easily available and not as expensive as OEM options.
What are salvaged parts?
Have you ever heard someone selling their car for parts? Salvaged parts come from those cars and are sold by the repair shop to establish the same make and model of the damaged car. Parts are checked for quality, but are in operation.
Because spare parts are second-hand, they are often cheaper than unused OEM and aftermarket parts. But the main thing in the saved parts is that they, as a rule, are original parts. Thus, you get a high-quality part that will match your make and model of car at a significantly reduced price.
If you need a friendly and specialized repair center or you have questions regarding OEMs, after-sales service, or parts disposal, look no further. Bumpers, etc. Grade Auto Parts is committed to providing the highest level of customer service and wants customers to know that their car is in good hands. The best products are always used and rely on many years of experience and professionalism. We are proud of all our repairs and treat each car as if it were ours with 100% satisfaction guaranteed!