OEM vs aftermarket parts…which is the better option? Some believe buying original parts for your car is the only way to go because they assure you of quality and functionality. However, the same can be said for certain aftermarket car parts; you just need to know how to find them and what to look for, but chances are you’ll also get them for a fraction of the price.
For those who need parts and are on the fence about whether to go OEM or aftermarket, stick around as we examine whether buying aftermarket car parts is a wise decision.
What are aftermarket parts?
Aftermarket car parts is a term used to describe car parts that are made by a third party other than the parts made by the original manufacturer. For example, BMW will sell their own parts or have contracted partners to do it, but then there are other parts manufacturers who take their parts, mimic the schematics, and reproduce the part with their own brand name on it.
Usually, original manufacturers suggest that their customers steer clear of using aftermarket parts because they tend to have some consistency, either in size or in the materials used to manufacture them. These inconsistencies make the part less durable, causing it to fail sooner and costing more in the end.
The Pros of Buying Aftermarket Parts
While there’s a bad stigma surrounding aftermarket car parts, they do have their benefits, like:
They are way more affordable
Aftermarket parts usually have multiple manufacturers that offer the part at a different price, which is usually a much lower price than what you’ll pay if you purchase an original part from the manufacturer. This means that by using aftermarket spares, you can save a decent amount of money and still fix your car.
They offer good quality
Aftermarket parts get a bad wrap because the manufacturers that come in manufacture sub-par spares. This ruins it for the manufacturers who actually make great quality parts. The truth is that if you look long enough, you’re bound to find a manufacturer that makes the part you’re looking for and that they meet or even exceeds the quality of the original parts.
They are readily available
If you think about it, the more manufacturers there are for a part, the more available that part is going to be. This is a major benefit of aftermarket parts. For some cars, finding original parts can be difficult, which generally forces you to use aftermarket parts. But, the fact that you could walk into an auto-part store and they’ll likely have the part you’re looking for
It is pretty beneficial.
The Cons of Buying Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket parts have their pros, but, unfortunately, many of the concerns surrounding the quality and reliability of aftermarket parts tend to have truth to them as well. Here are some cons of buying aftermarket parts:
You get a warranty
Probably one of the biggest draws to original parts is that they come with a warranty for your vehicle. Likewise, if you’re still under warranty with your car, then you’ll get the replacement parts for free if the issue results from a factory defect. Unfortunately, the same principle doesn’t apply to aftermarket spares. Some brands might offer a warranty, but it’s not a guarantee
You get top-quality parts
While quality can be a pro like above, it’s also the main reason aftermarket parts are so frowned upon. Often, aftermarket parts are made with materials that aren’t as durable as the original parts. Thus, they tend to wear and tear faster and cause you to need to address the same problem sooner. Sometimes, the manufacturers also get the size of the parts wrong, which, when installed, can cause numerous problems with your engine.
Parts can be sources easily
When you go to a certified service centre for your brand of vehicle, they’ll usually have all the parts on-site needed to fix a vehicle. However, if you take your vehicle to a third party mechanic, they might need to order the parts which can take several days to arrive. This means that you’ll be without a car for longer.
How do you find the right aftermarket parts?
Navigating the aftermarket parts market can be difficult, especially if there are multiple manufacturers for the part you’re looking for. So, how do you find the right quality part? The first step would be to ask someone in the industry what brands they’d suggest. Some third-party mechanics sign deals with part manufacturers to get discounts if they use their parts.
At the same time, others stop around looking for the best deal. Ideally, you want to ask a trusted mechanic about their experiences with certain brands and what they’d suggest. You can also check reviews on the manufacturer's brand as well.
Final Thoughts
While OEM parts might be considered the better way to go, let’s not rule out aftermarket parts. In some cases, you can find aftermarket parts that are just as good, if not better than the original quality parts, and they’ll probably cost you a fraction of the OEM part to begin with. Finding these parts does take a bit of research, but it’ll be worth it in the end.