OEM Wheel and Rim Grading Scale

by Mike Gu on June 30, 2022 Categories: Enhance Your Ride: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Original Car Wheels

Working at a shop that sells used OEM wheels, I get a few different questions repeatedly. One I hear more often is “What condition is the wheel?” or “What does a B condition mean?”. Below I will break down each condition that we sell, what it means and example photos to better assist you in your future used OEM wheel purchases.

A
Like New - A wheel that has been previously mounted, but only slightly used (if used at all). Typically taken directly off of a new vehicle.

A-
Very Good - A wheel with very light scratches on the surface but isn't too noticeable and looks new from a distance.

B+
Good - A wheel with very light and minor curb scratches, scuffs or scratched on the face. But they aren't noticeable from a short distance.

B
Fair - A wheel with noticeable but minor curb scratches, scuffs or scratches on the face. The finish is still good but looks how you expect a wheel being regularly used would look.

B-
Acceptable - A wheel with noticeable curb scratches, scuffs or scratches on the face. Occasionally some clear coat issues.

C
Poor - A wheel with a combination of surface issues but isn't cracked or bent. Best suited for an affordable replacement wheel option or if you want to get a wheel reconditioned.

Reconditioned - A wheel that has been stripped down and completely redone to fix and scratches, scuffs, curb rash or finish issues. Face of the wheel will look brand new.

Replacement - A wheel that is made overseas and not by the manufacturer but meets all things required of OEM wheels. It looks almost identical to the OEM version but will have minor differences when it comes to the finish color and occasionally the design might have deeper valleys or curves compared to the original. Better to purchase the full set to better ensure they match.