The Importance of OEM Parts for Toyota, Lexus, and Scion Vehicles
Every collision expert worth their salt knows that genuine manufacturer parts are a key component in safe repairs. The only way to restore the vehicle to its pre-accident state is to use OE parts that are perfectly calibrated for that particular make and model. Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles are no different.
What are alternative parts?
To get back on the road safely and to lower the risk of severe injuries in case an accident does happen, a collision repair team should always rely on original parts. Here are a few alternative options a repair team might offer due to their lower cost, but the value of safety provided by original parts truly doesn’t have a price tag.
- Salvaged or recycled parts: functional and undamaged parts that have been removed from a different vehicle and used to repair the one in the shop.
- Rebuilt parts: refurbished exterior parts from the same make and model.
- Aftermarket parts: any parts that haven’t been made and approved by your manufacturer.
Exterior sheet metal parts – nothing “cosmetic” about them
Although often referred to as “cosmetic”, the sheet metal parts on your vehicle’s exterior are an essential component of safety. Designed to perfectly fit the structure and form of your Toyota, Lexus, or Scion, these can help in minimizing the severity of injuries during an accident.
They also play a role in how the SRS sensors respond to a collision, and they are crucial in terms of compliance with the latest industry standards.
SRS components
The supplementary restraint system (SRS) includes your car’s airbags, seatbelts, sensors, and other components that play a part in protecting any passengers from harm during an accident. Using alternative parts in the repair means they might not have been properly tested and designed to work well with the rest of the car’s structure during a collision.
Your vehicles’ body structure
Each section of your car’s exterior and interior are chosen, designed, and tested with specific purpose in mind. That means that every piece of metal is of specific quality, thickness, and resilience, necessary to enhance the driving experience and the safety of everyone in the vehicle.
Replacing any section of the car with an aftermarket part would mean compromising the vehicle’s structural integrity.
A rare occasion when recycling isn’t a good option
Removing and reusing parts from another vehicle goes against manufacturer and industry-wide recommendations. The parts in question could be damaged, corroded, or otherwise subpar in quality, which means less protection in case of an accident.
When you’re looking to repair your Toyota, Lexus, or Scion, it’s best you speak with a certified repair professional that will use only genuine OE parts in order to protect your safety on the road.
