Not All Used Parts are Graded Equal!

VIDEO WALKTHROUGH

At Chuck’s Auto Parts Solutions we utilize the ARA Quality Assurance Grid (above) to describe the condition of collision parts and drivetrain parts. Body Parts and sheet metal parts like doors, fenders, hoods, quarter panels, bumpers, tailgates, hatchbacks, and trunk lids are all evaluated and given an individual part description. The ARA Quality Parts Standards have been the industry’s standard system for grading and describing the condition of used parts!

Each part is evaluated when the vehicle first arrives to our facility. Any defects on the part such as parking lot dings(P), scratches(S), dents(D), bends(E), and creases(C) noted with a specific damage type. The letter signifies the type of damage, followed by the unit size of damage.

Each defect is compared to the size of a standard credit card. The surface area of 1 credit card size is defined as 1 “unit” of damage.

The highest quality used parts we sell are graded as Triple Zero (000) or zero ‘units’ of damage are listed in the part description column. At Chuck’s, units of damage may be listed from ½ unit (half a credit card size), 1 unit (1 credit card size), 1.5 units(1 and ½ credit card size), 2 units and so forth. Parts with one or less units of damage are listed as an A grade part. B-grade parts will have defects ranging from 1 to 2 units, or 1-2 credit card sized area. C-grade parts often have considerable damage ranging from 2 units of damage and more. (C-grade parts are often hidden from online vendor listings)

Now that we understand the size of the damage in units, and we know some common damage types, we must describe the area on the part the damage is located.

Volkswagen Passat Driver’s side rear door

To understand the area of the damage, we first must identify which part we are looking to purchase. Lets use a door as an example:

This Volkswagen Passat driver side rear door will be sectioned into 8 numbered areas starting from section-1, the A-pillar, moving in a backwards s/ Z shaped pattern. Section-2 being the upper most portion of the door, section-3 moving down the B-pillar, section-4 moving down the far right side lip down to the corner. Section-5 covers the center of the door, section-6 along the front door seam, section-7 being the lower lip of the door including the inner pinch welds. The final section of the door would be section-8, covering the door handle.

This door has been graded as an A -grade door, with the part description noting 7E.5. First number signifies the defect is located in section 7, at the bottom lip of the door. The letter signifies we have bend and the number refers to the size of the defect, in this case, ½ unit. This A-grade door with the part description of 7E.5 states the door has a bend approximately half the size of a credit card, located on the bottom lip of the door. 

Lets take a look at this hood next for a second example! Keep in mind the Z- shaped pattern for the numbered sections!

Standing in front of the vehicle, starting at the driver side, section one is the front corner behind the headlamp, moving to section two along the front lip of the hood. Section-3 would be the passenger side front corner. Section-4,5, and 6 working from left to right across the middle of the hood. Section-7 describes the driver side corner along the windshield, section-8 being the center area, along the windshield, leading to section-9, the passenger side back corner around the hinge area.

Our mechanical/drivetrain parts are graded similar to collision parts, with slight adaptations in the regulations. Engines, transmissions, transfer cases, and carriers can be graded as A, B, or C-grade parts by following the ARA Quality Assurance Grid. There are 2 main ways to determine the part grade, the age and mileage of vehicle. The mileage divided by the age of the vehicle will give you the average yearly miles of that part. In order for a engine to be graded as A-grade the vehicle must have under 60,000 miles, and the average miles must be UNDER 15,000 per year. B-grade mechanical parts have UNDER 200,000 miles, with no limitation on the average miles per year. Any C-grade mechanical parts have greater than or equal to 200,000 total miles, regardless of the vehicle’s age.

If you’re a body shop or garage interested in learning more about damage codes, Parts Grading, and understanding used parts descriptions, please reach out by giving us a call!

Contact the email listed below for an opportunity to receive individual training on how we describe the condition of our parts, and where you can find our products for your next repair! 

JR.Reinert@chucksparts.com

484-925-1099  Ext. 518