How to Read Our Damage Codes (ARA)

Every used body part we sell is graded with the auto recycling industry’s standard damage codes (from the Automotive Recyclers Association — ARA). The code tells you exactly what condition to expect before the part ever ships. Here’s how to read one.

1. First number — WHERE the damage is

Panels are numbered front to back, top to bottom, left to right (as seen from the driver’s seat), in an “S” pattern. A 0 means the damage covers the entire panel (like all-over hail).

Typical panel section layout — the numbering snakes across the part front-to-back, top-to-bottom.

2. Letter — WHAT the damage is

3. Last number — HOW MUCH repair

Units of estimated professional repair time. 1 unit ≈ 1 hour of shop labor. A “.5” means about half an hour. So a 6D2 is a dent in section 6 needing about two hours of work, and 000 means no damage recorded.

Our part grades

A+ / A — clean parts with little to no damage.  B — average, may need minor work.  C — usable, expect repair.  X — the donor vehicle’s mileage is unknown; the part is otherwise graded by its photos and damage code.