Your insurance estimate arrives. Somewhere in the middle of the line items, you see "A/M bumper cover" or "LKQ hood" or "CAPA fender." If you don’t know what those acronyms mean, you’re not alone — and that’s exactly the problem your insurer is counting on.
The Four Categories of Collision Parts
Every replacement part on your repair estimate falls into one of four categories:
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Made by the same company that made the part on your car when it left the factory. For a Honda, that’s Honda. For a Ford, that’s Ford. Same tooling, same materials, same specifications.
OES (Original Equipment Supplier). Made by the supplier that the OEM contracts with, but sold outside the dealer channel. Often identical to OEM but without the automaker’s logo. Denso, Bosch, ZF, and Magna are examples.
Aftermarket (A/M). Made by third-party manufacturers to fit the same vehicle. Quality ranges enormously — from decent to unusable. CAPA certification (Certified Automotive Parts Association) is a fit and finish standard applied to some aftermarket parts. CAPA-certified is better than uncertified, but still not OEM.
LKQ (Like Kind and Quality). Used parts from salvage vehicles. Sourced from recyclers. Quality depends entirely on the donor vehicle’s history and the yard’s grading.
Where OEM Actually Matters
Not every part on your car needs to be OEM. Here’s the honest breakdown of where it matters and where it doesn’t.
Always OEM (or don’t do the repair):
- Airbags and restraint system components
- Seat belts and pretensioners
- Structural components — frame rails, unibody sections, crash boxes
- High-strength steel and aluminum reinforcements
- ADAS mounting brackets and sensor housings
- Cooling system components on hybrids and EVs
Strongly prefer OEM:
- Bumper reinforcement bars (the metal beam behind the plastic)
- Radiator support
- Suspension components
- Any part with integrated wiring or sensors
Aftermarket often acceptable:
- Plastic bumper covers (with CAPA certification)
- Grilles and trim
- Headlights and taillights (verify DOT compliance)
- Mirror housings and covers
LKQ can work for:
- Doors (as complete assemblies)
- Hoods and trunk lids
- Fenders
- Wheels
The Aftermarket Fit Problem
The most common issue with aftermarket sheet metal isn’t safety — it’s fit. A cheap aftermarket fender might sit a quarter inch high at the door gap. An aftermarket hood might not close flush. Aftermarket bumper covers frequently have panel-gap issues at the fenders and headlights.
These fit problems don’t always show up until the part is painted and installed. Then you’re either living with a car that doesn’t line up right, or you’re pulling the part off and starting over — which insurance may or may not pay for.
Why Structural Aftermarket Is a Safety Problem
Modern vehicles are engineered as crash structures. The way a bumper reinforcement crushes, the way a frame rail folds, the way the passenger cell resists intrusion — all of it is calculated to specific material grades and thicknesses. When you substitute an aftermarket part that’s supposed to be the same but uses different steel, different welds, or different geometry, the crash behavior changes. The airbag timing was calibrated for the original structure. Now it might deploy too early or too late. That’s real.
What Insurance Won’t Tell You
Your carrier’s estimator is trained to build the estimate at the lowest defensible cost. That means aftermarket where possible, LKQ where possible, and OEM only when required. Your policy may or may not entitle you to OEM. Even when it does, the estimator often defaults to aftermarket and waits to see if you object.
Read your policy. If it says "OEM replacement parts," you have a right to demand them. If it says "quality replacement parts" or similar vague language, you may need to negotiate or pay the difference.
How to Handle This on Your Repair
When you get the estimate, ask three questions:
- Which line items are OEM, aftermarket, or LKQ?
- For any aftermarket structural or safety part, why isn’t OEM being used?
- If I want OEM instead of aftermarket on a specific part, what’s my out-of-pocket cost?
A good shop will walk you through this. XP Auto Center will always recommend OEM for structural and safety components because our OEM certifications require it. On cosmetic parts, we’ll tell you honestly where an aftermarket or LKQ part will look and function the same — and where it won’t.
Talk to a Shop That Cares About What Goes on Your Car
We hold OEM certifications from Honda, Acura, Ford, GM, Nissan, Alfa Romeo, FCA, and Lincoln. Those certifications require us to use OEM parts on structural repairs for those brands. Even outside of certification requirements, we default to using the right part for the job — not just the cheapest one on the estimate.
If you’re staring at an estimate full of A/M and LKQ line items and something feels off, call (818) 336-1000. We’ll go through the estimate with you, explain what each part actually is, and rebuild the plan around what your car actually needs. Learn more about our collision repair and insurance claims process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I demand OEM parts from my insurance company?
It depends on your policy and California regulations. Some policies specify OEM parts. Others allow aftermarket unless you pay the difference. Structural and safety parts are more likely to require OEM.
What does CAPA-certified mean?
CAPA (Certified Automotive Parts Association) certifies aftermarket parts for fit and function. It’s a step above uncertified aftermarket but still not equivalent to OEM in terms of testing and warranty.
Are used (LKQ) parts safe to install?
For non-structural cosmetic parts like doors, hoods, and headlights, LKQ (Like Kind and Quality) parts from a reputable recycler can be fine. For structural parts, airbags, or seat belts — never.
Will using OEM parts affect my repair cost?
Usually yes. OEM parts typically cost 20 to 60 percent more than aftermarket. Your carrier may cover the difference, or you may pay out of pocket. Insist on OEM for safety-critical components regardless.
