If you’re looking to replace a faulty part in your car, there are two options: aftermarket parts and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts.
Making this decision can have a massive impact on your repair costs. However, that’s not the only thing to keep in mind. Now, which is the better choice?
OEM Parts Vs. Aftermarket Parts
Most people prefer aftermarket parts to OEM parts because they’re usually cheaper and readily available. On the other hand, OEM parts are hard to find. Moreover, they are often pricier than aftermarket parts. Before making the decision, it is essential to learn the key differences between the two types of car parts.
Design Differences
As the name suggests, OEM parts are designed and sold by the same company that manufactured the vehicle itself. In contrast, aftermarket parts are made by different car parts companies. If you are keen enough, you will notice the conspicuous design and build quality differences between the two types of parts. Therefore, you can expect to find a superior fit for your car in OEM replacement parts.
Pricing
A rude shock awaits you if you choose cheap replacements thinking that you are saving money. Aftermarket parts often don’t work properly or fail a lot sooner than you expect. Therefore, choosing OEM parts could actually save you more money in the long run.
Variety
While the world of aftermarket parts has variety, you never know what you are really getting yourself into. You could even fall victim to counterfeiters. On the other hand, OEM parts are genuine and are made with your car in mind, so they often work as they are supposed to.
Quality Assurance
Unlike aftermarket parts, OEM parts are manufactured by the same company that manufactured your car. Therefore, these parts are guaranteed to be compatible and work as intended. If quality assurance is what you need, genuine parts from the original manufacturer will offer you reliability and top-notch performance.
Durability
A radiator is a radiator, right? The problem is knowing what is in the material the part is made from. OEMs usually spend years figuring out how to build parts that can withstand the test of time. You now know the reason why OEM parts last longer as compared to aftermarket parts. With cheap replacements, you’re risking your safety and potentially reducing your car’s lifespan.
Warranty
Most OEM car part dealers back up their products with a warranty, which explains their high prices. After all, why should a genuine part lack warranty? Aftermarket parts, on the other hand, usually do not come with a warranty. Their cheap pricing could be a deliberate move to cut costs.
Another thing to consider when buying replacement parts is that some car brands hate it when you use aftermarket parts on cars that are still under warranty. To avoid warranty invalidation, it is advisable to buy OEM parts instead of aftermarket parts.
Risk of Counterfeits
While aftermarket parts are a cheaper alternative to genuine OEM parts, there is sadly a growing risk of counterfeiting. Auto parts such as brake pads, airbags, engines, and electrical components are the most affected. How do you know it is a fake part? Make sure to check out for any visible quality disparities, misspellings, and lack of product descriptions.A great way to avoid falling prey to counterfeit part dealers is by purchasing OEM parts from reputable companies. This way, you get to enjoy dedicated customer support and warranty.
OEM or Aftermarket Parts?
OEM parts are often more expensive, but their pros far outweigh any benefits of aftermarket parts. On the other hand, aftermarket parts are conveniently available the world over, but performance and quality are not things you can afford to ignore if you value your car, your wallet, and most importantly, your own safety on the road. Partnering with a genuine car parts dealer like LLL Parts offers security, reliability, and the peace of mind you deserve when driving, so they’re worth the cost!
