OEM Position Statements: What They Are and How to Use Them

An OEM position statement is the manufacturer telling you, in writing, how its vehicles are supposed to be repaired. In a supplement, it's often the strongest document you can attach, because it shifts the question from cost to whether the repair meets the maker's published requirements.

What a position statement is

A position statement is an official document from a vehicle manufacturer that states its requirements or recommendations on a specific repair topic. Common subjects include pre- and post-repair scanning, ADAS calibration, structural procedures, and the use of recycled or aftermarket parts. The manufacturer publishes it so there's no ambiguity about what it considers a proper repair.

Why it matters for supplements

Most supplement disagreements are about money. A position statement changes the frame. Once the manufacturer has stated that an operation is required, declining to pay for it means going on record against the people who built the car. Few carriers want that in writing, which is why a well-placed position statement often ends the conversation.

Where to find them

• The manufacturer's own repair-information portal
• OEM1Stop, which links to each manufacturer's repair and position-statement resources
• The I-CAR Repairability Technical Support portal

Always pull the current version for the specific make and model, since manufacturers update these as vehicles and procedures change.

How to use it

Attach the position statement to the supplement and reference the operation it supports. Pair it with the platform's not-included language and a DEG inquiry where one exists. That combination is what the collision supplement playbook is built around, and it's the backbone of the parts downgrade guides especially.

Frequently asked questions

Are OEM position statements legally binding? They're the manufacturer's published repair requirements, not law. In practice they carry significant weight, because repairing outside them raises liability and safety questions.

Where do I find the right position statement? Start with the manufacturer's repair portal, OEM1Stop, or I-CAR's RTS site, and always use the current version for that vehicle.

Do carriers have to honor them? There's no universal rule, but a documented OEM requirement is difficult to refuse in writing, which is what makes it effective in a supplement.