What is the difference between original and aftermarket?

Asked by: Jody Harris  |  Last update: January 16, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (59 votes)

Key Takeaways. An original equipment manufacturer is a company that makes cars and has made replacement parts for its cars. Aftermarket parts can be made by the same factory that sold them to your car maker, but they're cheaper than parts from the original manufacturer.

Are aftermarket parts as good as originals?

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.

Is aftermarket better than factory?

Aftermarket Parts

They're generally cheaper than factory parts, depending on where you buy them. Better yet, their quality is just as good, if not better, than OEM parts in certain cases.

Is it good to buy aftermarket?

Aftermarket parts often offer a cheaper alternative without sacrificing quality. Not all aftermarket parts are of equal quality, and using anything other than OEM parts may void your warranty, so it's important to know all of the details that apply to your situation.

What is the difference between aftermarket parts and original parts?

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.

Difference between genuine and aftermarket parts

18 related questions found

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.

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.

What does buy aftermarket mean?

noun. 2. The definition of aftermarket refers to the buying and selling of parts or equipment for a product after the initial product was manufactured and sold.

Do aftermarket parts decrease value?

Most people assume adding the various aftermarket features they want will increase their vehicle's value. Unfortunately, this is almost never true. In fact, aftermarket features often reduce car value. This article will explain what you need to know about aftermarket modifications.

What is aftermarket purchase?

Aftermarket (merchandise), any market where customers who buy one product or service are likely to buy a related, follow-on product.

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.

Is OEM the same as original?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Does insurance cover aftermarket?

How do aftermarket parts work with insurance? After an accident, most insurance companies include the use of aftermarket parts in estimates for repairs. Aftermarket parts that you install yourself as a vehicle modification may also be covered up to a certain limit on a standard auto insurance policy.

How do aftermarket parts affect car value?

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.

What does aftermarket mean in car 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.

Should I use genuine car parts?

A genuine part is an auto component that was installed in your vehicle when the vehicle was first manufactured. Genuine parts are more expensive than any other types of auto parts because they carry the company logo. Keep in mind, that genuine parts are not necessarily better than OEM or aftermarket parts.

Why are car parts so expensive?

The auto-part industry has historically been able to raise prices on the customer due to the infrequent nature of purchases. Customers typically don't need to buy the same part for one or two years or longer, and don't really know how much those components should cost.

What is a aftermarket Rolex?

Whilst there are 'factory Rolexes', where factory diamonds have been added to the watch by Rolex and intentionally part of the original design of the watch, 'aftermarket diamonds' are added by customers or authorised dealers after they purchase a watch that has been manufactured by Rolex.

What are aftermarket rims?

Aftermarket Wheels are made by independent manufacturers and made to fit multiple vehicles. Any wheel that is not a genuinely made by the original manufacturer is considered to be an aftermarket wheel.

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 are aftermarket services?

In response, CEOs at industrial OEMs are increasing their focus on aftermarket services—the provision of parts, repair, maintenance, and digital services for the equipment they sold. The appeal of this strategy is simple: services provide stable revenue—and often higher margins—than sales of new equipment.