The need to replace sheet metal or other exterior fittings often comes about due to some 'mishap'. Maybe you had a parking lot fender-bender, or scraped a bumper against a brick wall, or knocked off a mirror when entering a garage. More seriously, your car may have collided with another vehicle, damaging structural members like floorboards or door shells. Perhaps storm damage like hail or fallen tree limbs has shattered glass or pockmarked hoods and trunks.
In more severe cases, insurance gets involved and the car is towed to a body & paint shop for the repair. Other times, you might try the fix yourself. In all these cases, replacement parts are needed, and just like you've turned to CARiD for your mechanical, performance, and accessory parts, you can turn to us for body and exterior components too.
Our recently expanded product offerings include genuine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, including Body & Exterior. While we continue to offer affordable and quality aftermarket alternatives, there are times when only OEM will do. The good news is, with CARiD, you always have a choice.
We have gotten a series of questions from customers about our OEM body parts, and for your convenience, just like we did for our general OEM category, we have created this Frequently Asked Questions document. Read on to get answers to those queries which will help you make the most informed purchase decision when you're ready to purchase body and exterior repair parts.
Q. How well should I expect OEM body parts to fit?
A. OEM body parts are 100% identical to what was used when the vehicle was manufactured. An OEM body part will fit as well as the part already on the vehicle.
Q. The sheet metal part description states "left" or "right" side. Which side of the car is that?
A. Our OEM body parts are always identified as "left" or "right". In the U.S. market, the left side is always the driver's side; right side is always the passenger's side.
Q. Are installation instructions for body parts included?
A. Installation instructions are not included for OEM body and exterior parts. For the OEMs, there is the expectation that purchasers understand how to install these parts.
Q. Can I perform the installation myself?
A. It is not possible to make a general statement, as so much depends on your experience, skill set, access to tools, etc. Smaller items such as grilles and body trim pieces fall within reach of many DIYers. A bumper might be something an owner can tackle, and we even posted a Helpful Article outlining the steps to replacing a modern bumper. Once you get to larger pieces like doors, or structural members such as quarter panels, specialized tools and equipment are needed, and such repairs are best left to professionals.
Q. Where can I find the dimensions for an exterior OEM replacement part?
A. In general, the OEM manufacturers do not publish dimensional data (length, width, diameter, etc.) simply because they are replacement parts designed to be an exact fit. If you are uncertain if the part in question is the correct part for your application, please contact us at 800-505-3274 or at info@carid.com and we can assist in finding the exact part you need.
Q. Can I order body parts to be painted in the color of my choice to match my car?
Almost all body parts are delivered unpainted or in primer. The purchaser must have the part painted to match the vehicle. There are exceptions: see the next answer below about pre-finished body parts.
Q. Why are some body parts listed as available in colors?
Some OEM exterior parts are color-finished by the factory in their final color, with the color painted on or manufactured into the part. In those cases, these parts, usually in a neutral color like silver, grey, or black, is the same no matter what color paint is used on the car. You will see the color indicated as in this illustration below. The Fitment Note calls out "gloss black".
In other less-frequent cases, the manufacturer may offer the part pre-painted in a color to match your car, and you will see a list of the color choices. In this illustration below, this bumper (part reference #1) is available pre-painted in black stone, ice white, or power blue (among other choices). Note that in each case, the part number is different.
Q. How do I know how many pieces are included with a listed part?
A. In almost all cases with OE parts, each part number is quantity "one" (1). An exception is a part reference number with a box drawn around other parts. In the example below, #9 includes the rail and includes #13, the bumper corner cover. The same is the case with #10 including #14. Note that parts #13 and #14 are also available separately.
Q. Is attachment hardware (screws, clips, etc.) included?
A. OEM parts are sold 'by part number', meaning, they are sold individually. In general, attachment hardware for body parts is not included. The only exception would be as discussed above, in cases where a box is drawn around a number of different parts.
Q. My outside mirror has electric memory/ is heated/ has a turn signal light/ includes a camera. How can I be sure that I'm ordering the correct mirror?
A. Modern cars and trucks have many different options available for their outside mirrors. Before you place an order, you must be certain which options are on your vehicle. See the example illustrated below: there are three variations for part reference #1, "front left door mirror housing". This part is available without heated glass and without blind spot monitoring; or with heated glass and with blind spot monitoring; or with heated glass and without blind spot monitoring. Each variant has a different part number. For the proper repair, you must choose the one that matches the factory equipment on your car.
Q. What is the difference between a door shell and door skin or panel?
A. The door shell is the entire metal door assembly including inner and outer panels as well as window framing. The door skin or panel is just the outer sheet metal, usually below the window. In the illustration below, reference part #1 is the door shell, and it includes #2 the outer panel. Part #2 is just the outer panel. In either case, no other parts (window glass, interior panel, door locks, etc.) are included. If they are needed, they must be ordered separately.
