Parts are a major Part of collision repair costs!

There are many options on parts. You as a consumer are entitled to replacement parts that meet or exceed original equipment specifications, in fit, finish and safety. In an effort to reduce costs the Insurance Industry often mandates parts from a vendor other than the original manufacturer of your vehicle. One entity CAPA, test parts for fit and certifies these parts as CAPA certified. However they are not crash tested leaving a question as to whether they will react as an original part in the event of an accident. It is our opinion that only original equipment parts be used when repairing a collision vehicle unless there is written documentation proving that the part has been tested to meet or exceed OEM specifications in fit, finish and safety. Many insurance companies offer an OEM part rider that is very inexpensive and would allow the use of all OEM parts on your vehicle for repairs. Call your agent; this may be the best money you have ever spent! Listed on the reverse side are common part terms.

OEM - OEM implies that the part or parts are made by the original car company manufacturer or its licensed supplier and is a genuine new part warranted by the vehicle manufacturer.

LKQ – like, kind and quality- meaning used parts from salvage vehicle of the same make and model, usually from the same year or newer than the vehicle being repaired with comparable or less mileage than the vehicle it is being used for.

Recycled – used parts from a salvage vehicle that re-enters commerce when sold to a repair shop. The repairer then takes the used component and performs the necessary steps to put it in a recycled condition that will then be utilized in the repair process.

Note: for used and recycled parts: Caution must be used as there are many aftermarket parts. Care must be taken to ensure that the used parts are OEM used! Definition of part abbreviation used in repair.

Remanufactured part - A used original factory part that has been refurbished to new condition. (This could be an original car company (OEM) part or an aftermarket supplier) This procedure could be performed by an original car company supplier or a licensed aftermarket supplier for the car company.

Rebuilt Part – A rebuilt part may not be an original car company part; it could be an aftermarket supplied part. This is a part that is being repaired and serviced for the purpose of resale. Rebuilt parts are typically supplied by an aftermarket source.

A/M – “Aftermarket” indicates parts made by a manufacturer other than the original manufacturer. These parts are warranted by the manufacturer of the said part or their distributor. There are two levels of A/M parts – One “Certified” the other “Not certified”.

QRP – “Quality Replacement Part”, another term for Aftermarket Parts.

Competitive Part – Another term for Aftermarket parts.

CAPA – “Certified Automotive Parts Association” – CAPA parts are aftermarket parts certified by an unbiased third party that insures the quality of the parts they test are equal to or greater that the original car company part.