What Bronx and Riverdale Drivers Should Know About Getting a Car Repaired When the Shop Wants to Use Aftermarket or Non-OEM Parts
If a body shop tells you they’re going to use “aftermarket” or “like kind and quality” parts to repair your vehicle, that’s not something you should just nod and sign off on — especially if you’re driving a newer car, a leased vehicle, or anything with a manufacturer’s warranty still in effect. In the Bronx and throughout Riverdale, we see this come up all the time after collisions, and most drivers don’t realize they often have a real say in what goes back on their car. Here’s what you need to know before a single bolt gets replaced.
What Are OEM Parts — and What Are Aftermarket Parts?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. These are the exact same parts your vehicle was built with, made by or for the automaker — whether that’s a Ford fender, a Mercedes-Benz bumper cover, or a Subaru quarter panel. They’re designed to fit your specific vehicle the way the engineers intended, and they’re held to the manufacturer’s quality standards.
Aftermarket parts are made by third-party manufacturers, not the automaker. Some are decent. Some are not. The quality varies widely depending on the supplier, and unlike OEM parts, they haven’t necessarily been tested to the same crash-safety or fit standards as the original. You might also hear them called “non-OEM,” “imitation,” or “like kind and quality” (LKQ) parts. That last term, LKQ, often refers to used parts pulled from salvaged vehicles — a different category again, and one that carries its own considerations.
Why Do Insurance Companies Push Aftermarket Parts?
The short answer is cost. Aftermarket parts are almost always cheaper than OEM, and most insurance policies allow the insurer to specify non-OEM parts when writing a repair estimate. This is legal in New York, but there are important limits — and most drivers in the Bronx and across Westchester County never get told about them.
New York State law does require that if aftermarket crash parts are used on your vehicle, the shop must disclose that in writing before the repair begins. The estimate should clearly indicate which parts are OEM, which are aftermarket, and which are used. If you’re seeing something labeled “A/M” on your estimate, that’s aftermarket. “OEM” or “OE” is original. “LKQ” is used salvage.
The big insurers — Geico included — often write initial estimates with aftermarket parts to control cost. But that doesn’t mean you’re locked in. If your car is still under a factory warranty, or if you’re leasing it, using non-OEM parts can create real problems.
When It Actually Matters Most
Not every aftermarket part is a disaster waiting to happen. A simple interior trim piece or a non-structural bracket replaced with a quality aftermarket component may not keep you up at night. But there are situations where the OEM question is genuinely important:
- Safety-related components — bumpers, crumple zones, airbag brackets, hood hinges. These parts are engineered to behave a specific way in a collision. An aftermarket version that fits slightly differently could affect how your car performs in a future crash.
- Leased vehicles — your lease agreement typically requires that the vehicle be returned in its original condition, and many lease contracts specify OEM-only repairs. Non-OEM parts can result in charges when you turn in the car.
- Manufacturer warranty — using non-OEM parts doesn’t automatically void your warranty, but if a non-OEM part causes a failure that damages something else, the manufacturer can deny that specific warranty claim.
- Luxury and specialty vehicles — if you’re driving a Mercedes-Benz, a Tesla, or another vehicle requiring manufacturer-certified collision repair, OEM parts aren’t just preferred — they’re often required to maintain certification compliance and resale value.
- High-mileage resale — when it comes time to sell, a vehicle with documented OEM repairs holds value better than one with a history of aftermarket replacements.
What to Do If Your Insurer Is Specifying Aftermarket Parts
You are allowed to request OEM parts. The practical reality is that you may need to pay the difference in cost between OEM and aftermarket — depending on your policy language — but that’s a conversation worth having. Here’s how to approach it:
- Ask your shop to itemize every part on the estimate and identify which are OEM, aftermarket, or used.
- Contact your insurer and specifically ask whether your policy has an OEM endorsement or whether OEM parts are covered for vehicles under a certain age.
- If your car is leased, call your leasing company and ask what their repair requirements are. Get it in writing if you can.
- Work with a shop that’s willing to advocate on your behalf with the insurer — not just accept whatever the insurer writes and get to work.
At S&T Auto Body, we’ve been navigating insurance estimates alongside our customers for 50 years. We know how to have those conversations, and we’ll always be upfront about what’s on your estimate before we touch your car.
What Certified Repair Actually Means for Parts Quality
This is the section you won’t find on most competitor websites, and it’s worth spelling out clearly. When a shop carries manufacturer certifications — whether for Ford, GM, Subaru, Hyundai, Volkswagen, or others — those certifications come with required repair procedures. Many of them specifically require OEM parts for structural and safety-related repairs. A certified shop isn’t just using better technicians; it’s also held to standards that protect you from being handed a car with parts that don’t meet the brand’s own specs.
Our I-CAR Gold Class technicians are trained on current repair procedures from the actual manufacturers. That means when we write an estimate and talk to your insurer, we’re coming from a position of documented expertise — not just preference. If OEM is required for a safe, proper repair on your vehicle, we’ll make that case clearly.
Drivers coming to us from Yonkers, Manhattan, and across Westchester often tell us they didn’t get this level of explanation at the previous shop they used. That’s a gap we’ve always tried to fill.
A Note on Used/LKQ Parts
Salvage or “like kind and quality” parts can be appropriate in certain situations — particularly for older vehicles where the cost of OEM repair would exceed the car’s value. But on a newer vehicle, especially one with safety systems, sensors, or advanced driver-assistance features (ADAS), used parts introduce serious unknowns. You don’t know the history of that part, whether it was in a prior collision, or how it will behave. For anything safety-critical, we recommend OEM or new aftermarket only — and we’ll tell you honestly if we ever recommend otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally require my insurer to pay for OEM parts in New York?
Not in every case. New York allows insurers to specify aftermarket parts on estimates. However, some policies include OEM endorsements, and vehicles still under factory warranty may have stronger grounds to request OEM. Always read your policy and ask your insurer directly.
Will aftermarket parts void my car’s warranty?
Not automatically — federal law (the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) generally prevents manufacturers from voiding a full warranty just because an aftermarket part was used. But if that aftermarket part causes a component failure, the manufacturer can deny the specific related claim. It’s a real risk on newer vehicles.
How do I know if my estimate includes aftermarket parts?
Look for abbreviations on the line items: “A/M” means aftermarket, “LKQ” means used salvage, “OEM” or “OE” means original manufacturer part. Any reputable shop in the Bronx should walk you through this line by line before you approve anything.
Does S&T Auto Body use OEM parts?
We use OEM parts as the default on manufacturer-certified repairs, and we discuss parts sourcing with every customer before work begins. If an insurer has written an aftermarket part into your estimate and we believe OEM is necessary for a safe repair, we’ll say so and help you push back.
What if I’m driving a Tesla or EV — does the parts question change?
Yes, significantly. Tesla in particular uses proprietary components and requires specific repair procedures. Using non-OEM parts on a Tesla can affect battery safety systems, structural integrity, and over-the-air software functions. If you’re an EV owner, this conversation is even more important — learn more about our EV and Tesla repair process here.
Talk to a Shop That Will Be Straight With You
Getting a straight answer on parts quality shouldn’t be hard, but in this industry, it often is. We’ve been in the Bronx since 1975, and our reputation is built on telling customers exactly what’s going on with their vehicle — including what’s going on their estimate. If you’ve just been in a collision and you’re trying to understand what the insurance company is actually paying for, come talk to us before you commit to anything.
Request a free, itemized estimate from S&T Auto Body. We’ll go through every line with you, explain what each part is and where it’s coming from, and help you make the decision that’s right for your car and your situation. Contact us here to get started.