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Here at RR/C Collision, we only install Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM) parts on our customer’s vehicles. To put anything other than OEM parts on your car is quite simply a recipe for potential disaster. This article will cover the reasons why we insist upon using only OEM parts – and why you should, too.

The Fundamentals

Your car is most likely your second most expensive purchase, after your home. And when you think about all the money you spent to get the car that you love, it’s easy to see why it would matter to you what kind of parts are used on it. But let’s face it – before you ever paid a penny for your car – the OEM paid MILLIONS of dollars for it!

The OEM invested all the time and money into the research and development of every single part on your car. They used exactly the right materials, designed them to fit perfectly with all the other parts, and crash tested the OEM parts relentlessly until they were satisfied that your car is the very best that it will ever be.

Aftermarket parts don’t have anywhere near that kind of skin in the game. They are made to “look” similar, and in some cases they may even “perform” in a similar way. The technical term for such parts is: “like kind and quality”. They are “like” the OEM parts… but they are NOT THE SAME. By their very definition, they CANNOT be the same, or they would be infringing upon the patents owned by the OEM for each and every part on your car.

OEM Parts Fit Correctly

As mentioned above, OEM parts are designed to fit properly with all other parts on your vehicle. And while aftermarket parts may appear similar, in many cases, they do not fit properly upon installation. Many body shop technicians will drill new holes, or widen existing holes in order to make aftermarket parts fit. Sometimes they have to weld extra pieces on, or cut parts off of aftermarket parts to force them to fit onto your vehicle. And it stands to reason, when any part is structurally altered, it is dangerously compromised.

Additionally, using anything other than OEM parts may result in your vehicle showing excessive (or not enough) space between body panels. Gaps that are too wide are unsightly, and a sure way to trigger a much lesser value upon resale. And gaps that are too narrow may rub against one another, causing damage to the paint and possibly exposing bare metal to the elements. That’s an invitation to corrosion and rust that will damage the structure and strength of the parts affected.

Your Safety Is Priceless

At the end of the day, we make our stand on OEM parts because we believe that your safety – and that of your loved ones – is more important than saving a few dollars on inferior, untested and ill-fitting aftermarket parts. There are plenty of other places to cut corners and save money. The safety of your vehicle just isn’t one of them.

If you have any questions at all about why we do what we do, or the quality of parts that your insurance company (or any other body shop) wants to put on your vehicle, contact us directly and we’ll help explain what’s going on behind the scenes. You may also check out our friends at Crash Repair Info. We are here to serve you – and the best way we know how to do that is to insist on using only OEM parts!