Be Wary Of Aftermarket Parts

Check out this Consumer Reports crash-test video. It illustrates what can happen when a cheap aftermarket part is used - an explosion of pieces in a low speed impact. The video first shows a Ford front bumper reinforcement for a 2006-2009 Fusion in a 6.1-mph collision with a fixed barrier. Made of liable polycarbonate polybutylene terephthalate the plasticdeforms as it absorbs the impact energy, then springs back into shape. The knock-off looked just like the original and had PC/PBT markings but was actually made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, which is more brittle and failed completely on impact.