Let’s all be honest here, at Parramatta Smash Repairs we know you don’t just buy brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Mini or Subaru because you think they are the most sensible and economical cars to own in Australia. It’s because you love the brand, the way they look and feel and how they perform on the road.
So why when your car is damaged and needs a panel beater would you consider installing non OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts on your car. With the cost of living rising the temptation to use cheaper generic non OEM parts is real, but when you think about it, what is the actual cost? Your car becomes a little less of that brand you love for sure, but what else?
When you think of non OEM parts you tend to picture those death trap cars on the road with mismatching coloured panels and no badges or model numbers to be found, but the generic parts may actually look the same on the surface but may not perform so well in another accident. It is with different compositional value, structural integrity and safety ratings where the generic parts differ to the factory OEM products.
Safety ratings
When you use generic non OEM parts your safety rating for your car goes down. This is because the original rating was awarded based on the manufacturers specifications, so when you add a generic part that wasn’t featured in the original test, you won’t receive the same results as before. If generic parts are fitted it may also completely void your car’s warranty.
Material composition
Generic parts are not made up of the same materials using the same method as the manufacturer. They are made to look similar but not identical. The use of fibreglass and inferior metal in generic parts can comparatively change the durability and weatherproofing. This means that it’s more than likely you will see your smash repair for more bumps and bingles then before, and in an accident, the estimated damage could be severe. The Australian government has cracked down on the use of unsafe fibreglass and inferior steel in the industry, but some still find their way to market.
A Generic Fit
The basic idea behind generic parts is their universal adaption for multiple designs of cars, this means the parts may have more clips or fewer clips, even clips that are a few millimetres off but still clip in. Any engineer can tell you that installing a part that isn’t millimetre perfect can cause more wear and tear on the joins and cause many more issues as the clips holding the panel in place deteriorate and the panel will not fit seamlessly into place as it should.
Choosing The Right Insurance Policy
Suppose you’ve been in a car accident and have filed a claim with your insurance company. Your insurer could specify that generic parts must be used in your repair if they are available. Some insurers may only cover aftermarket or even used parts because they accomplish a similar job for less money than OEM parts. For this reason, you should check with your insurance company to make certain that your policy covers the use of Genuine Parts in the repair process.
In Summary
Parramatta Smash Repairs is the leading prestige smash repairer in Sydney and is a proudly authorised repairer for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Mini and Subaru. Our team works closely with luxury brands and are fully qualified smash repairers of the highest standard using only OEM parts.
If you have been involved in an accident and are looking for smash repairs near you, we would love to speak with you! Give us a call at (02) 9630 7200 or fill out our Contact Us Form 24/7. We will get your vehicle back on the road efficiently and painlessly.
