Reading a collision estimate: OEM, aftermarket and used parts
A collision estimate can run to several pages of part numbers, labor hours and abbreviations. You don’t need to understand every line — but a few of them decide what kind of repair you’re actually getting.
What California requires
- A written estimate first. A repair dealer must give you a written estimated price for parts and labor, and no work should start until you authorize it (Business and Professions Code §9884.9).
- Consent before it costs more. If the estimate turns out to be too low, the shop needs your consent before doing the extra work (that same section).
- Parts disclosed on the invoice. The final invoice must state whether crash parts are OEM or non-OEM aftermarket parts, and must say if any used, rebuilt or reconditioned parts were supplied (§9884.8).
This is general information, not legal advice. The Bureau of Automotive Repair publishes consumer guidance and takes complaints about repair dealers.
The parts lines
- OEM (original equipment manufacturer): made by or for the carmaker. Usually the most expensive, and the default for many certified repairs.
- Aftermarket (non-OEM): made by another company to fit your car. Often cheaper; fit and finish vary.
- Used / recycled / LKQ: genuine parts taken from another vehicle.
- Reconditioned: a repaired original part, common for bumpers and wheels.
Your insurance policy may say which parts types it pays for. If you want OEM parts and the estimate shows something else, ask the shop and your insurer what the difference would cost you.
Labor, paint and the rest
- Repair vs replace: whether a panel is fixed or swapped for a new one.
- Body, frame, mechanical and paint labor: hours at each rate.
- Refinish and blend: painting the repaired panel, and blending color into neighboring panels so it matches.
- Paint materials, often calculated from refinish hours.
- Scans and calibrations: pre- and post-repair diagnostic scans and ADAS calibration for cameras and sensors.
- Supplement: an added estimate for damage found once the car is taken apart. Normal — but you should be told.
In our directory (as of October 28, 2026), 64 shops mention free estimates, 21 shops offer an online or photo estimate, and 19 shops list ADAS calibration. Body shops rarely publish prices, so we don’t compare them.
Comparing two estimates
Line them up and check: the same parts types, the same repair-vs-replace decisions, the same blend panels, and whether both include scans and calibration. A big gap usually means a different repair, not a better deal.
How to choose a body shop · What OEM certification means
This is general information, not legal, insurance or repair advice. Every car, policy and claim is different — check your policy, ask your insurer and the shop, and contact the California Department of Insurance or the Bureau of Automotive Repair if you need help with a dispute.