What is the difference between original and aftermarket parts?

Asked by: Kaya Bins  |  Last update: May 23, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (72 votes)

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 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 difference between OEM 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.

Original Equipment Dealer Parts Explained Vs Aftermarket | Dealer OEM Parts Vs Aftermarket

24 related questions found

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.

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.

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 fake or original?

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.

How do I know if a part is OEM?

  1. Fake OEM Part Aren't Identical to Originals. Counterfeiters focus on the most frequently replaceable parts of a car such as brake pads, oil filters, and spark plugs. ...
  2. Check the Certificate of Authenticity. A visual inspection may not be enough to tell a real from a fake OEM part. ...
  3. Find A Trustworthy Repair Shop.

What is OEM quality?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and OEM parts are branded with the automaker's name and/or logo. They also come in the automaker's packaging. Many consider OEM parts to be the best choice. They're built with high-quality materials and to the automaker's specifications.

What is OE quality car parts?

OE stands for “Original Equipment” – it refers to the 'factory fitted part'. OE and Genuine refer to the same thing. Car part manufacturers (e.g. Bosch, Hella, Valeo) who supply parts directly to car manufacturers (e.g. Ford) are referred to as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers).

What is OEM brand?

An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) makes systems or components that are used in another company's end product. Computer manufacturers, for example, commonly bundle or integrate OEM parts – such as processors and software – into the solutions they sell.

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 aftermarket purchase?

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