Aftermarket And OEM Parts: What Are The Differences?
When you get any type of body work done on your vehicle, you have the choice of using aftermarket or original equipment manufacturer parts. While aftermarket parts are generally less expensive than OEM parts, each has their own particular advantages and disadvantages. So you should have a clear understanding about what you're actually getting before you decide which parts to put on your car. Following are just a few of the differences between aftermarket parts and parts from your car's original manufacturer.
The Manufacturers Are Different
OEM parts are made by your car's original manufacturer only, whereas aftermarket parts for each vehicle type are made by dozens of manufacturers. This means that there are more aftermarket brands to choose from, which makes pricing more competitive. On average, people tend to spend approximately 60 percent more for OEM parts than they do for aftermarket parts.
The Parts Vary Slightly
While OEM parts are exactly what was on your car to begin with, aftermarket parts are replacement parts, meaning they are constructed for your car but they may be different than the original part. This means that quality can vary widely, depending on the brand of aftermarket parts that you choose. However, all parts are manufactured to give your car the same look it had before. No one will be able to tell what type of parts you chose after the work is complete.
The Quality Can Vary
One might assume that OEM parts are always higher quality, but that's not always the case. While quality varies greatly when it comes to aftermarket parts, select brands might have higher quality parts than your original manufacturer. Since there are so many parts to choose from, it can be difficult to know which parts are made better. Be sure to do your research and talk to several body shops about the parts that are available for your vehicle.
The Warranty Varies
OEM parts usually come with a manufacturer's warranty, while many aftermarket parts do not. That doesn't mean that all aftermarket parts do not have a warranty, some do. So you have to know what you're getting. If a warranty is important to you, make sure you ask for parts that have one.
Contrary to popular belief, aftermarket parts are not always inferior to OEM parts. There are advantages and disadvantages of each. The types of parts you choose will depend primarily on your budget and your end goals.
For more information, contact a professional like Acheson Auto Body and Service Center West.
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