What is the difference between aftermarket parts and original parts?

Asked by: Ana Blick  |  Last update: August 17, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (63 votes)

A genuine part is a part supplied by the vehicle manufacturer in their packaging. Aftermarket parts are parts produced by any other company. Often they are reverse engineered to be a very close to the original specification. Many options are available which can vary wildly in price and quality.

Are genuine parts better than aftermarket?

High-quality aftermarket parts are as good as OEM parts, or in some cases, can perform better. You really do get what you pay for, and the higher the cost, the better the build or materials. There are hundreds of manufacturers to choose from, so be sure to ask your mechanic about your options.

What is the difference between OEM parts and aftermarket parts?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which means the parts are made by the same company that makes the vehicle. Meanwhile, aftermarket parts are produced by a different parts company and are often designed to be compatible with as many makes and/or models as possible.

Is it okay to buy aftermarket parts?

Aftermarket parts are cheaper, and made by other manufacturers — often several, giving you more options. Used parts may have a bit of wear and tear, but should be inspected or rebuilt to ensure they'll work. These are the cheapest option.

Is a car worth more with aftermarket parts?

The use of OEM car parts has little to no effect on the value of your vehicle. Certain aftermarket upgrades, however, can have an effect. Adding custom alloy wheels to the vehicle, for example, can not only add to the appearance of the car but add value as well.

Are Factory Car Parts Better Than Aftermarket Featuring ShopDAP

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Does aftermarket mean used?

Aftermarket parts, also called generic parts, are made by a company other than your vehicle's original manufacturer. They're brand new replacement parts—not used parts. They're made by a third-party manufacturer, so they might not be a perfect fit the same way OEM parts are.

What aftermarket means?

Definition of aftermarket

1 : the market for parts and accessories used in the repair or enhancement of a product (such as an automobile) 2 : a secondary market available after sales in the original market are finished a movie in the videocassette aftermarket.

Who makes good aftermarket parts?

World's Best Aftermarket Car Part Brands
  1. Robert Bosch GmbH. BOSCH is a German multinational engineering and technology company and is one of the world's largest and oldest automotive parts manufacturers.
  2. Denso Corp. ...
  3. Magna International Inc. ...
  4. Continental AG. ...
  5. Hyundai Mobis. ...
  6. Lear Corp. ...
  7. Febi Bilstein. ...
  8. Visteon.

Can aftermarket parts void warranty?

This aspect of warranty coverage has a great deal of gray area. Although many dealers would have you think otherwise, simply having an aftermarket part or modifying your vehicle cannot void your warranty.

What is OE vs OEM?

One of the biggest questions car owners have is: what is the difference between OEM and OE? OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. OE stands for original equipment. OE parts are the components of the vehicle as it's made in the factory – all of the original parts that the car was first built with.

Does aftermarket mean fake?

Sometimes you might see other companies selling “aftermarket” watches. What does this mean? It means that the watches have replica parts. We are also seeing dealers use the term “custom made” to refer to the same thing: Fake parts.

Is OEM original or fake?

An OEM is the opposite of a third-party manufacturer that produces parts for sale in the aftermarket. An OEM refers to something made specifically for the original product, while the aftermarket refers to equipment made by another company that a consumer may use as a replacement.

Why is OEM more expensive?

Because OEM parts are made by a specific manufacturer to align with a vehicle's exact specifications, they fit perfectly into that space. They are more expensive than aftermarket parts as a result.

Are dealership parts better?

Unlike having to choose between a few different part brands at your local auto parts store, the dealership parts department will get you the exact part that you need. The quality of the part will be better than most aftermarket parts. Automakers will typically warranty the parts that you buy for up to a year.

Why are OEM parts better?

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.

Are OEM parts the same as original?

Every piece of the car as it exits the factory is an original part. Anything that is replaced, including a tail light, is no longer an original part. However, OEM parts are the same as the original in the sense that they are made by the same manufacturer, with the same materials, to the same specifications.

Will changing spark plugs void warranty?

About the only vestiges of the traditional tune-up still around today are replacing your engine air filter and spark plugs, and neither is likely to void your warranty. With spark plugs, chances are your warranty will expire long before it's time to replace them.

Does cold air intake void warranty?

Will a Cold air Intake Void my factory warranty? No. In the United States, for the manufacturer of a warranted product (in this case, a vehicle) to void or deny warranty coverage of a repair due to the use of an aftermarket part (a Cold Air Inductions, Inc.

Will LED headlights void warranty?

A simple answer is no, LED headlights do not void a car's warranty, but with two conditions. Number one, if you have not tampered with the factory wiring of the headlight assembly. And number two, if you have gotten them replaced from an authorized person or dealer. These clauses will differ by each company.

Does brand matter for car parts?

Every brand has different manufacturing processes that lead to different part qualities, so the more expensive parts are often a little bit better. Most auto repair experts will advise you to invest in quality parts to make sure you don't have any problems shortly after repairs or maintenance.

What is the best website to order auto parts from?

The 5 best websites to buy auto parts online
  1. Rock Auto. Rock Auto is a great site to buy auto parts. ...
  2. NAPA. NAPA offers services and auto parts online. ...
  3. Advance Auto Parts. Advance Auto Parts is the best battery dealer you can ever find. ...
  4. Car-Part.com. ...
  5. CarParts.com.

What are aftermarket parts?

Aftermarket parts are replacement parts that are not made by the original equipment manufacturer. Aftermarket parts are used to replace damaged parts in automobiles and other equipment, but their use may alter the coverage of an insured item.

What OEM parts mean?

Here and everywhere else, OEM stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer.” So, OEM automotive components are the official, genuine parts produced directly by your vehicle's maker.

What is included in the automotive aftermarket?

“Aftermarket” includes vehicle parts, equipment, replacement tires, service repair, collision repair and accessories, sold after the sale of the original vehicle.