What Is The Difference Between OEM And Aftermarket Parts?
You may have heard salespeople say they have an "OEM part in stock" at auto repair centers. OEM parts are Original Equipment Manufacturer parts. What this means is it is a part made by the same manufacturer as the genuine parts sold at an automotive dealership. Many automotive companies use outside manufacturers to help design and produce the parts used on the vehicle and then the dealer adds their logo and packages it in their custom packaging.
Aftermarket parts on the other hand are produced by a different company than the original manufacturer. While these parts are usually made with the same materials and made to serve the same purpose, they may have slight differences in how they look and feel. Some aftermarket parts, due to redesign, may actually be an improvement on the original. Aftermarket parts are typically much less expensive than OEM parts and usually are of the same quality. The difference is, it will not be made by the same brand as the rest of your parts on your vehicle.
Many auto dealers track a car's repair record and using aftermarket parts to repair your vehicle instead of OEM parts can greatly reduce the vehicle's resale value. If, for instance, you drive a Toyota Highlander and are in an accident, you will want to use Toyota Highlander parts to fix your vehicle. While it may initially be slightly more expensive to outfit your vehicle in genuine Toyota parts, it will be better when you go to sell or trade in your vehicle. Not only will you know the Toyota oem parts fit your car perfectly, you also know your insurance covers this part and that it should not affect your resale value as your are replacing it with identical parts.
For those people who fix up their own car, there is some good news. Many wholesalers offer deep discounts on OEM parts. Because there is no third party vendor and you are buying directly from a wholesaler, you may be able to get an original part for the same price as an aftermarket part. The thing is, you will need to research companies and figure out which wholesalers sell directly to individual customers versus to businesses making larger orders.
As a car owner, it will ultimately be your decision to use either OEM parts or aftermarket parts. You will need to keep in mind insurance coverage, cost, and resale value. Knowing what you know now about OEM and aftermarket parts should help you make the best decision possible. Remember, you might save money initially by purchasing aftermarket automotive parts, but you may end up paying for it later.
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