Spare parts — OEM, aftermarket and reclaimed parts

A repair is only as good as the parts it is built from. The training regulations for body technicians require you to be able to assess the quality of and select correct mechanical and electrical components and spare parts in accordance with technical drawings, requirements in the manufacturer's repair guides — including OEM requirements — and applicable legislation. It is a competence that lies as close to the core of the trade as the sheet metal work itself.

• 01OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer): manufactured by or for the car maker according to the same specification as the original part.
• 02Aftermarket parts/non-original parts: manufactured by a third party to fit the car, but not necessarily according to the same material or strength specifications.
• 03Recycled parts: used parts dismantled from scrapped or damaged vehicles, often sold through specialized buyers of damaged vehicles.

Danish Car Industry Council points out that insurance companies have the right to ask workshops to use non-original or used spare parts if it can be done responsibly. It is well-known in the claims industry but far from all car owners are aware of it — surveys show that a majority of Danes do not know their insurance terms about spare parts even though they would like to have influence on the choice themselves.

Regardless of which part type is delivered to the workshop, it is you who fits it, and therefore you who discovers if something doesn't match. Weight, fit, surface finish and material properties must match what the manufacturer originally fitted — especially on load-bearing parts where deviations can affect how the car behaves in a new collision.

• 01Check that part dimensions and mounting holes fit without forcing
• 02Compare weight and material thickness with the manufacturer's specifications where possible.
• 03Assess surface treatment and corrosion protection — inadequate treatment leads to early rust formation.
• 04Be particularly critical with load-bearing structural parts and safety-critical components.
• 05Document and object if a delivered part does not meet requirements before it is assembled.

OEM parts are marked with the maker's own part number, making traceability simple. Recycled parts should be traceable back to the vehicle they come from—especially for safety-critical components like airbags and seat belt tensioners, where you must document the part's history and condition before reusing it in another car.