• by Montgomery Miller
• January 10th, 2019

Why You Should Always Insist on Original Equipment Manufacturer Replacement Parts

Your prized vehicle has been damaged in an accident, so you call your insurance company expecting their first concern is the safety of you and your family. It’s a reasonable expectation but the reality is, your insurance company’s first and most important mission is to keep their costs to a minimum. But what does this have to do with your safety? More than you might imagine.

When your vehicle was manufactured, the manufacturer designed, tested and approved of every component used in the vehicle’s production. Each part must comply with the strict safety and performance standards established by the manufacturer. These are referred to as OEM parts and there are important reasons for these standards.

When your vehicle is involved in an accident, the insurance company will generally recommend a collision repair facility that is the least expensive option for THEM. Their recommendation is not based on your safety or on insuring your vehicle is repaired to factory specifications. Their recommendation is based on what’s best for the insurance company financially. But remember, here in the State of Texas, you choose where to have your vehicle repaired after it’s been in an accident.

If you accept the insurance company’s recommendation it will most certainly be a shop that will use salvage yard, reconditioned or aftermarket parts. There are potential issues with all of these parts because they are not new, original equipment manufacturer parts which means they have not been tested to ensure they meet factory specifications for safety and performance.

Aftermarket, or “generic” parts, are produced by a different manufacturer that tries to reproduce the look and functionality of the OEM part. While aftermarket parts may look like the OEM part, many OEM parts are tested for higher tolerances, or different tolerances or specifications than are used for the aftermarket part.

Why does this matter? Well before I get into the safety issue, let’s talk about your warranty. If it’s discovered that non-OEM parts have been used in the repair of your vehicle, it is possible that your warranty can be voided.

OEM parts are produced using exactly the same materials as were used in the original parts used in the production of that vehicle. By contrast, after-market parts may not be produced with the same quality and exact standards as OEM parts and may not fit perfectly with your vehicle’s specific structural requirements, potentially compromising your vehicle’s safety and performance as established by the original manufacturer.

Furthermore, OEM parts are designed to adapt properly to the technology that was designed into your specific vehicle. Because of all the sensors and on-board computers used, any replacement parts used must be able to function properly with your vehicle’s technology.

Generally, the only advantage to using aftermarket parts over OEM parts is they may be cheaper. That’s it. So, when it comes to your safety and the safety of your family, don’t allow the insurance company to decide what’s best for you. Tell them you want your vehicle repaired properly using ONLY OEM replacement parts and do not accept anything less.