Certified Parts Grading Explained

We follow a specific grading scale for used parts that is established by the ARA. These guidelines were created to help establish standards that collision repairers and automotive recyclers can understand clearly. This helps to standardize the descriptions of parts as well as provide the customer realistic expectations regarding the part they are receiving.

The most common grades for used parts are A, B and C. Let’s take a closer look at what factors go in to determining the grade that a part receives.

Grade A

Grade A parts are the highest quality used parts. For body parts, this means that the components no damage or one “unit” or less of needed repairs. For example, the ARA offers the example of a replacement door assembly with a small dent in the center of the door. For mechanical components, parts should have less 60,000 miles of use or, if greater, no more than 15,000 miles per year based on the model age. An example of this is an engine with 30,000 miles of wear on it. These parts are the most expensive parts because they are the highest quality and have experienced the least wear and tear.

Grade B

Grade B parts are the second tier for used parts. They contain a little bit more wear, generally, but still are useful components. For body parts, this means between one and two “units” of repair per part, while mechanical parts have between 60,000 and 200,000 miles of wear and more than 15,000 miles per year, with less than 200,000 miles of use total. These parts are a middle-of-the-road option, offering a savings versus the high-quality grade A parts in exchange for components with a little bit more wear.

Grade C

Grade C parts are the third level of used parts, and the final graded tier. X grade parts are also available, but items receive that grade when there is insufficient information to grade the part within the three tiers. These parts have generally seen a much greater degree of wear, but are still useful – most often for older-model vehicles or discontinued cars and trucks. Grade C body parts have two or more “units” of repair needed, while grade C mechanical parts have seen more than 200,000 miles of use regardless of the vehicle’s age.

For more information on these grade classifications or for help finding the parts you need, contact the professionals at Big 3 Engine and Transmission.