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United Tire and Service News

OEM vs Aftermarket Parts

12/27/2021 6:04:00 PM | (518) View Count | Return
If you take your car to a dealership for service, you’re more than likely receiving OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts, whereas independent shops sometimes use aftermarket parts. Many people assume that OEM is better, and worry that aftermarket parts are faulty or not as reliable. What is the difference between OEM and aftermarket parts? Is there a reason to want one over the other? In this article we'll compare oem parts vs. aftermarket car parts and explain how to choose the best car parts for your vehicle.
 
  OEM Parts Aftermarket Parts
Pros

Easier to choose your part

Quality assurance

Comes with warranty

Better price

More variety

Better availability

Quality can be equal to OEM
Cons

More expensive

Often needs to be bought at dealership

Not always superior quality to aftermarket part

Quality can vary

No warranty

OEM Parts

OEM parts are made by the vehicle’s manufacturer. These match the parts that came with your vehicle when it rolled off the assembly line. Ideally, your vehicle should look and work exactly as it did originally, before the damage, because everything will match up. OEM parts are also crash-tested, unlike some aftermarket parts.

Pros

  • Easier to choose your part: If you go to the parts counter at a dealership and ask for any part, you'll usually get one type. You don't have to worry about assessing the quality of different brands and prices, and it is a guaranteed fit, cutting wait time on delivery and install.  
  • Greater assurance of quality: The OEM part should work exactly like the one you are replacing. It is what the vehicle was manufactured with and provides a peace of mind in its familiarity and performance.
  • Comes with a warranty: Most automakers back up their OEM parts with a one-year warranty. And if you get your car repaired at the dealer, they'll usually stand by their labor as well, so you drive away knowing your vehicle is reliable. 

Cons

  • More expensive: OEM parts will usually cost more than an aftermarket part, in some cases up to 60% more.  
  • Often need to be bought at the dealership: Even though there are other ways of buying OEM parts (eBay, online wholesalers), most people will go to a dealership to buy their car parts. This limits the number of places you can buy from. It is, however becoming more available for local mechanics to have OEM parts in their shop.  
  • Quality may not be superior: You paid the extra money for an OEM part, hoping that it was vastly better than an aftermarket part. But that may not always be the case. Even though you’re receiving the original part, you might just be paying for the brand name. 
 
While it’s more common to get OEM parts at a dealership, United Tire and Service works with manufacturers to get OEM parts delivered in store so our customers have more options for parts when their vehicle needs repairs. Our team believes you should have as many options as possible so you feel safe while driving. 
 

Aftermarket Parts

An aftermarket part is any part that is made by someone other than the vehicle’s manufacturer. Despite popular belief, using aftermarket parts does not void the car’s warranty, as long as they are direct replacements. Many aftermarket parts work well, if not better than OEM parts. With aftermarket parts, there is a lot of variation with quality, so before you buy, be sure you shop around for the best price and quality of the part you need. 
 

Pros

  • Price: Generally, aftermarket parts are less expensive than OEM parts, and the savings can be significant. Shop around to find the best price or best service special and get an idea of how much that part usually costs. Quality is important when it comes to your vehicle and your safety. 
  • More variety: There are hundreds of different companies that produce aftermarket parts. Some manufacturers specialize in specific parts where others produce any part needed. 
  • Better availability: You can waltz into an automotive repair shop and they’ll likely have a part that fits your car. This opens up your options to find the best price for you. 
  • Quality: The quality of aftermarket parts can be equal or greater than that of OEM parts. A lot of aftermarket manufacturers reverse-engineer their parts to work out the weaknesses. 

Cons 

  • Quality: Yes, it’s a pro but it can also be a con. Since there are so many different aftermarket manufacturers, quality can vary extremely. 
  • Warranty: To keep costs down, some aftermarket parts might not come with a warranty.
Because aftermarket parts are less expensive, insurance companies prefer them for repair work. 

Should I Get OEM or Aftermarket Parts?

There is no right or wrong preference when it comes to OEM vs aftermarket parts. Some drivers prefer to have all vehicle manufacturer and warrantied parts on their vehicle, while other drivers don't care about the parts’ manufacturer as long as it’s safe and reliable for their vehicle. Most drivers will fall somewhere in the middle, weighing their options of cost, availability, and quality. You can trust the team at United Tire and Service to steer you towards the best options for your individual situation.  
 
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