OEM VS. Aftermarket Parts

 

OEM Parts or Aftermarket Parts?

If you are unfortunate enough to be in a car accident, that should be the worst part of your day. There is no reason that dealing with your insurance company and collision repair center should be equally traumatic. Fortunately, the team at Bob Moore Collison is here to guide you through this process to ease your stress and worry about getting your vehicle fixed properly.

Starting With the Most Basic Information

Unless you are in the car business or have restored a vehicle on your own, you might have no idea what OEM means. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common bits of jargon in the collision/insurance business that can be confusing and intimidating to a vehicle owner. OEM is an acronym for Original Equipment Manufacturer. It simply means that the parts were made by your vehicle's manufacturer and not a third-party firm.

The Added Value Of OEM

The primary reason that many vehicle owners discover this confusing little term is that many insurance companies prefer to use non-OEM parts to repair collision damage. The reason is a simple case of lower cost. But what is also a factor is the quality of the non-OEM parts. When a vehicle manufacturer makes parts for their cars, trucks, or SUVs, they ensure that the pieces fit precisely, with no need to modify or alter them. This precision delivers the highest quality finished product. So why would you settle for anything less when repairing collision damage to your vehicle?

More On Aftermarket Parts

Unlike the OEM parts, aftermarket parts can be made by any company. And those parts are not necessarily made to the exacting standards of the original vehicle manufacturer. So there is a possibility of a less precise fit and less longevity. In other cases, the parts are made to fit various vehicle models, but none a precisely as the original piece it is replacing. In some cases, this "good enough" part will work without compromising the vehicle's integrity and safety. But in other cases, such as a part for the engine or brake system, there is a level of risk in using an aftermarket part.

The General Rule

All OEM parts meet the exact stringent specifications established by your vehicle's manufacturer. And while some aftermarket parts might meet or come close to those exacting standards, there are no guarantees. Therefore, sticking to OEM parts for any collision repair means that your vehicle is truly restored to the quality and safety it offered before the collision or damage occurred.

At Bob Moore Collision, our allegiance is to our customers. We want to repair every vehicle to the best of our ability and the highest standard of safety and function possible. That means using OEM parts whenever possible. Our staff has decades of experience working with insurance companies and expressing why we choose to use OEM parts on our customer's vehicles. And we are happy to work on your behalf to ensure that only high-quality and reliable OEM parts are used in your collision repair.