|
|
|
The cost and quality of replacement parts can vary dramatically, depending on where they come from and how they are selected. There are at least three different types of parts that may be used in the repair of your car, and you should know about how each may affect your car's safety, appearance, and value. You as the consumer want your car to be as good after the repair as it was before the accident; you want it to be worth just as much. Insurance companies may be more concerned about the cost of the repair and whether the lowest cost parts available were used in the repair. Be sure to find out which type of parts are being used in the repair of your car. First, there are new, original equipment parts, called OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, that are supplied by the vehicle manufacturer. These parts meet the same specifications and standards with respect to fit, finish, corrosion protection, and crashworthiness as the parts that came on your car when it was new. These parts carry the car manufacturer's warranty. Second, there are non-original "aftermarket" or "imitation" parts that are not made by the vehicle manufacturer. These parts are sometimes referred to as "quality replacement parts" or "economy parts" and cost less to purchase. Since they are not made by the vehicle manufacturer they are not subject to the same testing and safety evaluations, and do not carry the same warranty. The use of non-original parts may void your car's factory warranty for the parts replaced, and may affect warranty coverage for other parts as well. Worse yet, if corrosion or other defects on a non-original part cause damage to wiring, or affect the proper deployment of your air bags, you could be putting far more than your warranty in jeopardy. Several years ago, a study conducted for General Motors by an independent firm showed significant Diminished Value for cars repaired with non-original parts. Consumer Reports magazine also published a very informative article on aftermarket parts in their February, 1999, issue. A major class action suit in Marion, IL, against State Farm Insurance regarding the use of aftermarket parts was decided in favor of the plaintiffs in 1999. State Farm was ordered to pay $456 million to consumers for denying them a choice of repair parts after accidents and for misrepresenting the quality of aftermarket crash parts; State Farm has appealed the decision. Third, there are used, recycled, or salvage parts. IF the used parts are undamaged, IF they are taken from an identical model car in similar condition, IF they are the same age or newer, and IF they are prepared correctly prior to installation, they MAY be an acceptable lower cost alternative. But that's a lot of "IF's". Ask your body shop what type of warranty is provided with any used or recycled parts. If your car is still under the manufacturer's new car warranty, check to see if the installation of used parts will affect coverage. If the used parts happen to be used imitation or aftermarket parts, then all the concerns mentioned previously for non-original parts apply to the used parts as well. If you ask the right questions before the repairs are started, you may save yourself a lot of headaches later. If your body shop can't assist you in getting parts that meet your approval installed on your car, see our Consumer Help - Where to Find It.
GOLDCAR HOME | CONSUMER INFO | SHOP LOCATOR | CONSUMER BOARD
|