The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) was established in the public interest over 29 years ago to set up and oversee a testing program to assure the suitability and quality of automotive replacement parts. Independent, unbiased, non-profit, fully transparent and with no vested interest in the outcome, CAPA has since become the auto industry's recognized authority on the quality and safety of parts used for collision repairs.
Our comprehensive testing program is a valuable public service that provides consumers, auto body shops, parts distributors and insurance adjusters with the reliable, objective means they need to identify quality replacement parts. Parts that will fit, perform, last and be every bit as safe as the originals. CAPA Certification is even recognized by government regulators as an assurance of quality.
What makes CAPA stand out from the rest is the fact that we have no vested interest in the sale of these parts or in selling of certification services. The public interest is what is at the core of the CAPA program.
Over 66 million replacement parts have earned CAPA Certification by meeting or exceeding CAPA's stringent quality standards, making it the most widely respected quality assurance program ever. That's the good news. The bad news: There are millions of untested, problematic parts in the marketplace. To be sure you have a genuine CAPA-Certified replacement part, look for the distinctive yellow and blue CAPA Quality Seal that comes on every CAPA-Certified part.
The CAPA Quality Seal appears only on replacement parts that meet or exceed CAPA Standards. It provides independent, objective assurance of product quality.
If there is no seal on the part, it is not CAPA-Certified, regardless of what the seller says.
Simple Steps to Quality Aftermarket Parts
-
Check the estimate for CAPA-Certified parts (most estimates indicate the use of a CAPA-Certified part by the use of a "C").
-
When ordering parts, you need to specify that the parts be CAPA-Certified. Indicate that parts without CAPA seals will be returned.
-
Look for the unique CAPA Packaging and the CAPA Quality Seal on each part upon delivery.
-
Reject parts without CAPA Quality Seals. Return them to the distributor immediately for full credit.
Deborah Klouser is the director of operations at the Certified Automotive Parts Association and can be reached at debbie@CAPAcertified.org.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.