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When the time comes to replace car parts, should you go with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or aftermarket car parts?
According to one source, Americans spend close to $400 annually on auto repairs and maintenance. Depending on the vehicle you own and how often you use it, you might pay more than that amount or less than that amount.
Do you do your own maintenance or repairs, or do you go to an auto repair shop to get that work done for you?
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Keep reading to get the details you need to consider OEM vs aftermarket.
Consider the Cost
When considering OEM vs aftermarket, look at the cost. Aftermarket car parts are usually a lot cheaper than OEM parts. So, if you’re interested in getting what you want for less money, aftermarket car parts make sense.
Some auto repair shops only use OEM parts, while others use OEM and aftermarket parts. Because aftermarket parts are cheaper, your insurance company will usually insist on aftermarket parts to honor insurance claims.
Consider the Manufacturers
The company that manufactured your vehicle is the company that sells OEM parts are specifically made for your vehicle. This means you can count on an exact fit without your having to do a lot of digging and research.
One of the benefits of going the aftermarket parts route is that there are hundreds of manufacturers out there. But this also presents challenges since finding a reputable service provider means conducting some research.
One of the knocks against aftermarket car parts is that the quality may be suspect. While there are some manufacturers focused more on quantity than on quality, there are many companies focused on producing quality parts.
So, do your homework to find a reputable company. This performance parts warehouse is one good option. You’ll find that some aftermarket parts are as good as, or even better than, their OEM parts equivalents.
Consider Availability
It can sometimes be harder to track down OEM parts. When you go to an automotive repair facility, you might find that a part needed for your car is on backorder. There’s no telling how long it might take for the part to arrive.
During times of economic or political upheaval, things can get even more problematic. You might find the delays to be unbearable.
But you won’t have this problem if you opt for aftermarket parts. Since they’re widely available from many different service providers at home and abroad, you’ll be able to get what you need from one of the many vendors.
Consider Who’ll Be Doing the Repairs
Are you the sort of person who likes to do your own car maintenance and repairs? If so, you’ll get to choose between OEM parts and aftermarket parts.
Do you want to get quality parts at a fraction of the cost of OEM parts? If so, your best bet is to find a retailer known for selling quality aftermarket parts. You’ll be able to order the parts and have them delivered to you.
You won’t have to jeopardize quality for cost-effectiveness since the top providers of aftermarket vehicle parts focus on offering quality components.
As a consumer, you want to have options. That’s what aftermarket parts offer. You’ll be able to choose from among several quality vehicle components.
Consider the Vehicle Warranty
When it comes to OEM vs aftermarket, which one will you choose? It comes down to what you want to do since you can get what you want no matter what route you take.
So, if you’ve paid for a warranty or an extended warranty, you’ll want to be mindful of doing anything that renders your warranty null and void. The last thing you’ll want is to have to pay for an expensive repair out of pocket.
You can get the best parts for your car going the OEM or the aftermarket routes. But your warranty might call for going the OEM route.
Consider the Parts Warranty
If you buy OEM parts for your car, you’ll get a warranty. But you won’t usually get a warranty for aftermarket parts. That’s one reason why these parts are cheaper than OEM parts. So, you’ll want to consider this before choosing.
Depending on the aftermarket parts retailer you patronize, you might get a warranty of some type. But chances are that the warranty for an OEM part will be superior to the warranty for an aftermarket part.
Do your due diligence as a consumer to get exactly what you want for your car.
OEM vs Aftermarket: Which Is Best for You?
When it comes to OEM vs aftermarket, which one will you choose? As you can see, there are benefits and possible drawbacks depending on the direction you choose. So, it’s best to consider which benefits mean more to you.
You can be sure that the availability of OEM and aftermarket parts means there are more options on the market for you as a consumer.
And that’s a good thing if you want enough choices to make informed decisions when maintaining and repairing your car.
When you spend the time looking for reputable OEM parts providers, you’ll get the best of both worlds since you’ll have quality parts for relatively low costs. And you won’t have to choose between quality and low price either.
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