Should You Insist on Using OEM Parts?

Large network body shops may use aftermarket parts.

When your vehicle is repaired after a collision, the parts used matter just as much as the workmanship. At Image Auto Body, we prioritize OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts whenever possible because they are designed specifically for your vehicle’s exact safety systems, body structure, and crash performance standards.

Not all body shops take that same approach. In some larger network shops or high-volume repair chains, aftermarket parts are sometimes used to cut costs or satisfy insurance pricing guidelines. While some aftermarket components may appear similar on the surface, they are not always engineered to the same tolerances, fitment standards, or material strength as factory OEM parts.

That difference can become critical in a future accident.

Modern vehicles rely on carefully engineered crumple zones, sensor placement, bumper reinforcement systems, and body panel alignment to protect passengers during impact. If an aftermarket bumper, reinforcement bar, bracket, or structural panel does not respond the same way as the original factory part, it can change how crash energy is absorbed and transferred throughout the vehicle.

Our team believes collision repair is about more than making a car look good again. It’s about restoring the vehicle to a condition that helps keep you and your family safe in the next unexpected moment. That’s why we advocate for OEM procedures and OEM parts whenever safety is on the line.