OEM vs. Aftermarket Parts
New OEM, aftermarket, and recycled parts each have a place. What California law says, and how the decision actually gets made.
Three part types appear in collision repair: new OEM (made by or for the vehicle manufacturer), aftermarket (made by other companies), and recycled (original parts from another vehicle). None is automatically right for every line of every repair — and anyone who says 'OEM parts only' or 'aftermarket is always fine' is selling a slogan, not a repair plan.
What California requires
California requires disclosure: if aftermarket crash parts are used in an insured repair, that must be disclosed to you in writing, and insurers who require aftermarket parts take on specific obligations about their quality. The Bureau of Automotive Repair also requires that your invoice identify the parts used.
How we decide
The repair plan starts from the manufacturer's repair information — some components and structural parts have restrictions on substitution. From there, your policy's terms and your own preferences shape the parts list. We tell you what the plan calls for, what your policy covers, and where you have a choice to make, before the work happens.
Working through an insurance claim?
You choose the shop. We help manage the repair — documentation, supplements, and adjuster communication.