Aftermarket V Manufacture Parts

Aftermarket V Manufacture Parts

Author: Susan  

 

Aftermarket Versus OEM Car Parts

When you take your car to the dealership's service department for repairs, you know you're getting Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) car parts. However, if you take your car your local Mechanic, you'll most likely get aftermarket car parts. Is there anything wrong with that? Does a less expensive part mean a poorer-quality part? And in what situations should you use only OEM parts?

To answer these questions, we've created a list of pros and cons to help you make a more informed decision when choosing what parts go into your car. In this way, you can strike a balance between cost and quality.

Aftermarket Parts… Are they all Bad?

An aftermarket part is any part for a vehicle that is not sourced from the car's maker. If the parts are direct replacement parts, they will not void your car's warranty. A number of companies make parts designed to function the same, or in some cases even better than the original. It is estimated that about 80 percent of independent shops use aftermarket parts. Australian Online Car Parts advice is "Be an informed consumer, make sure you're dealing with a good mechanic and request high-quality aftermarket parts such as AcDelco replacement parts and compare the price of OEM parts" Make sure all Aftermarket Parts used are covered by a manufacturer warranty. For Instance, Acdelco replacement partsare covered by a 12-month replacement warranty and Holden Genuine Parts are covered by a Two-year warranty.

PROS

  • Less expensive: Aftermarket parts are usually less expensive than OEM parts; how much you save varies by brand. Shop around to find the best price and to get an idea of how much an OEM part usually costs. If the price of a aftermarket part seems too good to be true, ask questions about its quality.
  • Quality can be equal to or greater than OEM: In some cases, you may end up with a better part than you started with. "The aftermarket companies reverse-engineer the part, and work the weaknesses out,". For example, when an automaker designs its brake pads, it has to strike a balance between cost, durability, noise levels and performance. If you want better performance and don't mind some extra brake noise (some brake pads squeak even though they are stopping the car effectively), an aftermarket pad may be your best choice.
  • More variety: There are hundreds of companies that make aftermarket parts. Some specialize in specific parts, and other companies, like Acdelco make almost any part you can think of. More variety means greater selection and a wider range of prices.
  • Better availability: You can walk into any auto parts store or local mechanic, and they're bound to have a part that fits your car. Australian Online Car Parts delivers to your home or workshop. This gives you more options on where to take your car for service.

CONS

  • Quality varies greatly: The saying "you get what you pay for" rings true here. Some aftermarket parts are inferior because of the use of lower-quality materials. Stick with aftermarket brands you're familiar with or are recommended by a mechanic you trust, even if these parts cost a bit more.
  • Overwhelming selection: If you're not familiar with aftermarket brands, the selection could be overwhelming, and there's some chance you may get a bad quality part. Even a part as simple as a spark plug can be made by dozens of different companies and comes in numerous variations. Consult your mechanic for advice or simply stick with the OEM part when the price difference isn't significant.
  • May not have a warranty: To keep costs down, some aftermarket parts are sold without a warranty.

OEM Parts…. Not Always more expensive

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.

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.
  • Greater assurance of quality: The OEM part should work exactly as 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.

CONS

  • Purchasing 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 and some Car Dealers load the RRP to increase their profit Margins. Australian Online car parts sell Genuine parts at a wholesale price which is below RRP. You can request OEM parts from your local mechanic, but it may take longer to get your vehicle repaired since the parts must be ordered. The Best way is to order them yourself from Australian Online car parts and take them to the mechanic when you service your car. This way you avoid the extra handling charges a dealership or Mechanic will charge.
  • Quality may not be superior: You may paid the extra money for an OEM part, hoping that it was vastly better than an aftermarket part. It is worth being informed. Many Times an OEM part is cheaper than an aftermarket parts But that may not always be the case. Some aftermarket parts are equal to or in some cases better than OEM parts so therefore more expensive. Which Is the Best Way To Go?

All aftermarket parts are not created equal — but all OEM parts are. This creates its own set of advantages and disadvantages. If you're familiar with a number of brands or work on your own car, be informed, it can save you a lot of money. If you're not familiar with aftermarket brands, prefer to have everything Genuine OEM , Australian Online Car Parts supplies both OEM Genuine parts and aftermarket quality parts.

 

Comments (1)

Find the right service for your car

By: on 12 October 2021
What a fantastic post! This is probably the best, most concise [step-by-step] guide I’ve ever seen on Aftermarket V Manufacture Parts. Best, Chai

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