The Michigan Senate has approved legislation that would update state regulations for auto repair and body shops, and implement restrictions on the use of non-OEM replacement parts for the repair of newer vehicles.

Such repair facilities would be required to use OEM replacement parts — new, used or recycled — rather than aftermarket parts for all vehicles except those that are no longer under the original warranty or are more than five years old.

These new restrictions would affect the following automotive components:

• Fenders

• Hoods

• Doors

• Bumper bars

• Quarter panels

• Deck lids

• Tailgates

• Hatchbacks

• Truck floor pan

• Truck cab and boxes

• Body of a passenger vehicle

• Frame or parts identified by the vehicle manufacturer as structural

• Air bags and seat belts.

When permitted, non-OEM components used in the repair of vehicles would need to meet federal safety standards. Additionally, their qualify would have to be verified as OEM-comparable by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), NSF International, or another nationally recognized auto parts testing agency.  

The state House passed an earlier version of the bill in February. But since the Senate made some amendments, the bill returns to the House for consideration of the changes.

To learn more about the bill, click here.