AARC - Accredited Automotive Recycler Automotive Parts Grading & Inventory Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) grading standards for mechanical parts, which of the following engines would be considered 'A' grade?

Accepted Answer

An 8-year-old engine with 55,000 miles.

Answer

The ARA defines 'A' grade mechanical parts as having less than 60,000 total miles, OR, if over 60,000 miles, they must have less than 15,000 miles per model year of age. The 8-year-old engine with 55,000 miles is under the 60,000-mile threshold, making it an 'A' grade part. The other options exceed these mileage-to-age ratios.

Question 2

An inventory specialist inspects a used front bumper cover and notes the ARA damage code '5D2'. What does this code signify?

Accepted Answer

Damage in location 5, specifically a dent, with a severity of 2 units (equivalent to two credit card areas of damage).

Answer

The ARA damage code is structured as Location-Damage Type-Severity. '5' indicates the location of the damage on the part, 'D' stands for Dent, and '2' represents the size of the damage in 'units', where one unit is approximately the size of a credit card.

Question 3

A recycler uses the 'ABC Analysis' method for inventory management. How would a high-demand, high-value part like a popular model's transmission assembly be categorized?

Accepted Answer

As an 'A' item, requiring close monitoring and tight control.

Answer

In ABC Analysis for inventory management, 'A' items are the most valuable and critical parts, typically representing a high percentage of total inventory value but a small percentage of total items. These high-demand, high-value items require the strictest control and most frequent monitoring.

Question 4

A customer is looking for a Grade 'A' used aluminum wheel. According to ARA Wheel Grading standards, which of the following would disqualify a wheel from being Grade 'A'?

Accepted Answer

The wheel required minor straightening to ensure it would balance correctly.

Answer

The ARA Wheel Grading standard explicitly states that no hammering, straightening, or reforming of any kind is allowed for a graded wheel. While cosmetic blemishes affect the grade (a blemish of one unit or less would make it a Grade B), any structural repair like straightening disqualifies it from this grading system.

Question 5

When grading a sheet metal part, such as a fender, the term 'unit' is used to quantify the amount of damage. What is the standard definition of one 'unit' of damage according to ARA guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Damage not exceeding the surface area of a standard-sized credit card.

Answer

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) defines a 'unit' of damage for sheet metal parts as an area of damage that does not exceed the surface area of a standard credit card. This standardized measurement helps create consistency in grading across the industry.

(AARC) Accredited Automotive Recycler Certification Practice Test

(AARC) Accredited Automotive Recycler Certification Practice Test

AARC - Accredited Automotive Recycler Automotive Parts Grading & Inventory Questions and Answers