Start here: A supplier’s name, a part’s condition and the company that made it are different things. Chris Herron explains the terms Aiken vehicle owners may see before authorizing collision repairs.
Start with the part, not just the label
A bumper listed as “OEM” and a bumper listed as “recycled OEM” are not the same description. A line naming a distributor does not, by itself, tell you whether the item is new or used. Ask the repairer to identify the actual component and explain its estimate codes.
Swipe the comparison left or right ↔
| Term on the estimate | Plain-language meaning | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| OE / OEM | OE means original equipment; OEM means original equipment manufacturer. In a collision estimate, ask whether the line specifies a new genuine vehicle-manufacturer replacement part. | What is the exact part number, condition and source? |
| Aftermarket / A/M / non-OEM | A replacement part produced outside the vehicle manufacturer’s original replacement-parts program. It may be new, but new does not mean genuine OEM. | Who made it, and is it appropriate for this vehicle and repair? |
| Used / recycled / salvage | A part previously fitted to another vehicle. An originally genuine part can still be used rather than new. | What is its condition, prior history and suitability? |
| Reconditioned / remanufactured | A previously used item that has been repaired, restored or rebuilt. The process depends on the component and supplier. | What was done, by whom, and what documentation applies? |
| LKQ | Can refer to like kind and quality in estimate language, or to LKQ Corporation, a parts supplier. Context matters. | Is this a condition label or a supplier name? What actual part is proposed? |
| Keystone | A supplier/brand associated with LKQ’s parts business, including aftermarket and reconditioned product lines. | What is the manufacturer and condition of this particular item? |
| Opt-OEM / Alt-OEM / OE surplus | Labels that can identify OEM-origin parts obtained through alternative distribution channels. Read the estimate legend. | Is the item new, genuine, correctly identified and supported by the relevant documentation? |
Does LKQ always mean the company?
No. Estimate shorthand can use LKQ for like kind and quality. LKQ is also a company that supplies several categories of parts. The letters alone do not establish the condition, manufacturer or suitability of the proposed part. Read the estimate legend and request the supplier detail.
Does a certification label make a part OEM?
A separate parts-certification label does not change an aftermarket part into a genuine vehicle-manufacturer part. Ask what the certification covers and how the repairer checked the component against your vehicle’s repair requirements. Avoid deciding from an abbreviation alone.
Why we reject aftermarket and used collision replacement parts
A lower part price does not establish equivalent performance. Collision components work together with the vehicle’s structure, corrosion protection, restraints and driver assistance systems. Differences in material, dimensions, coatings or mounting details can matter beyond what is visible after paint.
Ford’s October 2025 statement says its genuine original equipment parts are the only parts it has validated to its performance and safety standards. It identifies recycled, salvage, aftermarket and reconditioned parts as non-approved for use with its repair procedures. FCA US’s December 2025 statement likewise does not approve aftermarket, recycled, salvaged or reconditioned replacement parts and directs collision repairs to genuine Mopar parts and vehicle-specific procedures.
Used OEM does not mean new OEM—or manufacturer-approved for reuse
A donor part may have unknown crash loads, prior repairs, weather exposure or damage from removal. FCA US specifically identifies these concerns in its salvage-parts statement and calls for new restraint components with original repair procedures. An outwardly clean part does not tell you its history or prove it can be installed using the required method.
Supplier approval is not vehicle-manufacturer approval
An insurer’s acceptance, a supplier’s warranty or a separate certification label does not establish that the automaker approved that part for this collision repair. Ask for the actual manufacturer statement and vehicle-specific procedure—not a claim that a cheaper substitute is “just as good.” OEM1Stop organizes those statements by manufacturer and topic. Read the applicable document: its scope matters, particularly for structural parts, airbags, sensors and other safety-related components.
Our policy is firm: Big Chris Collision uses new genuine OEM collision replacement parts. We will explain and document why the proposed repair requires them, identify insurer-estimate differences, and discuss the payment issue with you before authorization. We do not reduce the repair standard simply because a substitute costs less.
How we approach it at Big Chris Collision
Our collision repair approach uses genuine OEM replacement parts and vehicle-specific repair information. We explain our proposed parts and any differences from an insurer’s estimate before repair authorization. Choosing a part and determining who pays for it are separate conversations; we do not promise that insurance will fund every part we propose.
Bring these questions to your consultation
- Which estimate lines use parts other than new genuine OEM?
- What documentation supports the proposed component and repair method?
- Who provides the part warranty, and what does it actually cover?
- What cost difference, if any, would I be responsible for?
Sources and further reading
Read manufacturer requirements and consumer resources directly. StopDRP presents an independent-repair advocacy perspective; manufacturer statements explain the applicable repair position. Your vehicle-specific instructions and policy remain important.
General owner education. Policy terms, claim facts and applicable law affect your options. Big Chris Collision supplies repair information and documentation; independent professionals handle their own appraisal, coverage and legal advice.