OEM vs Aftermarket Parts in Fontana, CA

What Are OEM and Aftermarket Parts?

OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. An OEM part is made by or for your vehicle's maker, to the same design as the part your car was built with. It is the part the maker's repair procedures are written around.

An aftermarket part is made by another company to fit the same car. Some are close copies, and some differ in fit, materials or thickness. At Royal Collision Center we repair with OEM parts.

Why OEM Parts Matter in Fontana, CA

The parts that take the hit in a crash, the bumper reinforcement, the absorbers, the hood and the fenders, are designed to fold and absorb force in a set way. A part built to a different design can behave differently in the next crash. On busy roads like the I-10, the I-15 and Foothill Blvd, that next crash is not a distant thought.

Fit matters too. Many newer cars carry cameras and radar in the bumper and grille, and those must sit at exactly the right angle to work. A part that is a few millimeters off can affect the driver-assist systems as well as the gaps.

When to Ask About OEM Parts in Fontana, CA

Ask when you first see the estimate. Look for codes such as "A/M" or "non-OEM" next to the parts. That tells you the insurer has written it with aftermarket parts.

Ask especially when the car is new or leased, when the damaged part holds a camera or radar, or when it is structural. Those are the cases where fit and design matter most. Your insurer and your policy decide what is paid.

Signs Your Repair Needs a Closer Look at Parts

These are the times to ask about the parts on your estimate:

How to Ask for OEM Parts

Asking for OEM parts takes four steps:

• Step 1: Call (909) 347-6911 or request a quote, and bring the insurer's estimate if you have one.
• Step 2: We review the estimate and mark the parts listed as aftermarket.
• Step 3: You ask your adjuster in writing for OEM parts, and we document why each part matters before any work begins.
• Step 4: Once the parts are settled, we repair the car and get you back on the road.

Fit and Finish

OEM parts are made from the same tooling as the parts on your car. They meet the mounting points, the clips and the panel gaps the maker designed. That is why they line up with the panels around them.

Aftermarket panels sometimes need extra work to fit, and some never sit quite right. Uneven gaps and a bumper that does not meet the fenders are common signs. A part that fits from the start gives a better, longer-lasting repair.

Crash Performance and Safety

Bumper reinforcements, absorbers, hoods and structural parts are part of how a car manages a crash. The maker designs and tests them as a system. An OEM part keeps that system as designed.

Parts that hold cameras and radar matter too. The maker's calibration procedures assume its own parts. Our ADAS Calibration page explains why their position matters.

Your Insurer and Your Policy

Whether your insurer pays for OEM parts depends on your policy and the claim. Some policies pay for OEM parts, some only on newer vehicles, and some offer an OEM endorsement for an extra premium. Read your policy or ask your agent.

If your estimate lists aftermarket parts, you can ask the adjuster to reconsider. We document why a part needs to be OEM when fit or safety is at stake. Our Insurance Claims page explains how we work with adjusters.

Why Fontana Customers Choose Royal Collision Center

We repair with OEM parts, the parts your vehicle was built with. Our facility is I-CAR and ASE certified, and we have served drivers since 1993. Every collision and body repair is backed by our Lifetime Warranty.

We work with all insurance companies and help you ask for OEM parts. Towing, on-site car rentals and customer and car drop-offs and pick-ups keep you moving. Hablamos Español.