OEM parts come from the vehicle's manufacturer or its supplier; aftermarket parts are copies made by other companies; used parts are salvaged from other vehicles. All three can end up on a repaired car. Ohio law does not ban any of them, but it does require disclosure when an estimate is based on non-OEM aftermarket crash parts, and it requires that used body parts be of like kind and quality from a licensed salvage dealer.
The main kinds of parts, side by side
| Type | What it is | Typical advantages | Typical drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM (original equipment manufacturer) | Made by or for the vehicle maker and sold under its part numbers | Designed for your model; fit and crash behavior match the original | Highest price; availability can be slow for some models |
| Aftermarket (non-OEM) | A copy made by an independent company | Lower price; widely available for popular models | Fit and material quality vary by maker and by part |
| Certified aftermarket | An aftermarket part tested by an independent certifier, such as the Certified Automotive Parts Association | Some third-party quality assurance behind the part | Not the same as OEM; certification does not cover every part type |
| Used or salvage ("like kind and quality") | An original part removed from another vehicle | OEM design at a lower price; often matches color if the donor is the same color | Condition varies; limited warranty; may have prior wear |
| Remanufactured or reconditioned | Used part rebuilt or refinished to a standard | Lower cost than new; often used for wheels and bumper covers | Quality depends on the rebuilder |
What Ohio law says about crash parts
Ohio Revised Code 1345.81 deals with non-OEM aftermarket crash parts, meaning replacement sheet metal or plastic exterior parts, including inner and outer panels. In plain terms:
- If an insurer bases a repair estimate on non-OEM aftermarket crash parts, or a shop plans to use them, a written estimate has to identify each such part clearly and carry a notice in type at least 10 points high saying the estimate assumes parts not made by the vehicle manufacturer. Your signature acknowledges you saw it.
- For oral estimates, or when there is no estimate, the notice must be given or read aloud when the work is approved, and it must appear on the final invoice.
- The required notice states that warranties on these parts come from the parts maker or distributor, not the vehicle manufacturer.
- Non-OEM crash parts made after October 16, 1990 have to carry the manufacturer's business name or logo, permanently marked before installation and visible after installation where practical.
- Insurers, shops and installers may use salvage parts if they are of like kind and quality and come from a salvage motor vehicle dealer licensed under Ohio law.
A violation in a consumer transaction counts as an unfair or deceptive act under Ohio's consumer sales law. The insurer claims rule, Ohio Administrative Code 3901-1-54, adds that an estimate on a partial loss must indicate parts use in line with that statute, and where used parts are expected, must name where the licensed salvage dealer supplying them is located.
Legislation to watch
House Bill 636 of the 136th General Assembly, introduced in late 2025, would require insurers to offer optional OEM-parts coverage, let a claimant whose policy lacks it choose OEM parts by paying the difference, and add new disclosures to repair estimates. Its sponsor presented it to the House Insurance Committee in March 2026. A bill can be amended or stall at any stage, so check its current status on the Ohio Legislature's website before relying on it.
Where the choice matters most
- Structural and safety parts. Reinforcements, crash bars, and parts tied to airbag deployment or sensor positioning deserve the maker's specification. If an estimate swaps any of these, ask why.
- Parts that carry sensors. Bumper covers and grilles sometimes hold radar or camera brackets. An off-spec cover can change where the sensor points. See the estimate guide for how calibration shows up on the bill.
- Lights. Aftermarket headlamps vary in beam pattern and fit. Check that they aim properly.
- Cosmetic panels on older cars. Fenders and doors on a ten-year-old vehicle are common places where used or aftermarket parts make financial sense.
Questions to ask the shop and the insurer
- Which lines on the estimate are OEM, aftermarket, used or remanufactured?
- Who warrants each type, and for how long?
- What would the estimate total be with all OEM parts, and what is the difference?
- Does my policy have an OEM endorsement or any language about parts?
- Will the shop return the replaced parts to me? Ohio's repair rule sets out when it must; see what the repair rule guarantees.
Leased and newer vehicles
If the vehicle is leased, read the lease. Some leases and manufacturer warranties describe repair standards, and a lessor may object to non-OEM structural parts at turn-in. As a general matter, using an aftermarket part does not automatically void a vehicle warranty, but a warranty claim can be denied if the aftermarket part itself caused the failure. If this matters to you, ask the manufacturer or dealer for the position in writing before authorizing the repair.
Paying the difference
If your policy pays only for the parts in the insurer's estimate and you want OEM, you can often agree with the shop and the insurer that you pay the difference. Get that agreement in writing, with the specific part numbers. The parts on a repaired car can also affect what it is worth later, which is the subject of diminished value claims in Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Ohio insurer require aftermarket parts?
Insurers can write estimates using non-OEM aftermarket parts, but Ohio law requires the estimate to identify each such part and carry a disclosure notice. Your policy language and the shop's willingness to take a difference payment affect whether you can switch to OEM.
Do aftermarket parts void my car's warranty?
Not automatically. A manufacturer generally has to show that the part caused a failure to deny a warranty claim for it. If you have concerns, ask the manufacturer or dealer in writing before the repair.
Who warrants an aftermarket part?
Under the required notice, the warranty comes from the parts manufacturer or distributor, not the vehicle manufacturer. Ask for the terms.
Are used parts safe?
They can be, when they are genuine parts in good condition from a licensed salvage dealer, and when they are not safety-critical items that the manufacturer says must be replaced. The statutory standard is "like kind and quality."
How can I tell what parts were used on my car?
Ask for the itemized invoice. The state repair rule requires the invoice to state whether each part is used, remanufactured or rebuilt. Aftermarket crash parts made after 1990 also carry the maker's name or logo.