Authenticity of OEM bumper?

Question

Hi,

I was in a recent accident and had to replace the rear bumper. I am skeptic about the fact that the body-shop did not use the OEM bumper, instead they used an aftermarket parts. But I do not know, whether my suspicion is correct.
Is there any easy way to know, whether the bumper they used is an aftermarket, not an OEM one?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I'm sure you're right; most body shops use aftermarket, or generic, made in India, or something, under pressure from Insurance Companies.

See your Toyota dealer, get the part no. The OEM has this part no. on it, molded in or at the very least a bar code sticker. It will not be present on the cheap bumper (cover).

Source(s):

worked for insurance companies, and I restore autos

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thank you very much . Just wondering where exactly in the bumper I should look for that part number/bar code.

Answer 2

If it's an authentic OEM piece, the bumper should be stamped with the manufacturer's logo somewhere.

Answer 3

Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about it. If it were an after-market fuel sensor that's one thing, but a bumper's a bumper as long as they don't overcharge you for it.