All about spare parts
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Ever wondered why the price of a part varies from the dealership to the parts store on the street corner? Have you ever wanted to find less expensive parts to lower your car maintenance costs? Have you ever picked up two identical parts from different manufacturers and wondered what the difference really is?
The term "aftermarket" refers to parts that are not made by an automaker, while parts made by an automaker are known as original equipment manufacturer or OEM.
Cause of non-original spare parts
The development and production of aftermarket parts is almost always associated with a high demand for a particular part. An example of such a part is an oil filter. Because every fuel-powered vehicle requires regular oil changes, parts suppliers offer an alternative to buying an oil filter from a car dealership parts department. The higher the volume demand for that part, the greater the number of aftermarket suppliers that will produce an alternative to the original equipment part.
How Aftermarket Parts Compare to Original Equipment
You will find different opinions about the quality of aftermarket parts, and with good reason. Aftermarket parts are created as an option for car repairs. An option can be related to a better warranty, better quality, less cost, or sometimes simply because it's available when the dealer doesn't have stock or an order for the part. The reason for using a spare part is as individual as the person buying it. Comparing spare parts to original equipment is difficult because they have so many purposes.
Advantages of non-original spare parts
Warranty: Consider part warranty. Most original parts carry a one-year mileage warranty, often 12,000 miles. Spare parts can be supplied with options ranging from final sale to lifetime warranty with everything in between. If you are interested in durability and future costs, you can choose the part with the longest warranty. If you're planning on scrapping your car anytime soon, chances are you'll choose the most economical option, regardless of the warranty period.
Quality: Parts manufacturers often offer different quality parts, as is the case with brake pads. You will be able to choose from the best-best-best selection with prices increasing with quality. Expect the best part warranty to be the highest as well, because the manufacturer is willing to back up their top quality product with the best warranty.
AvailabilityA: Because there are far more parts suppliers and aftermarket stores than car dealerships, you can expect the part you're looking for to be available from at least one of them. A dealership is limited by how much inventory they can have, and how many high-demand parts the automaker will allocate to each parts department. The parts supplier is not limited in this way, so a frequently requested part that is not in stock at the dealer will be on the part supplier's shelf.
OptionsA: In some cases, such as suspension, the parts supplier offers options that are not available in the dealer parts department. Many original equipment front end components, such as ball joints, do not come equipped with grease nipples, unlike most aftermarket options. Dealer parts departments don't often have strut and spring assemblies in stock, and components have to be purchased separately, resulting in higher part costs and higher labor costs. Aftermarket vendors offer a "quick strut" assembly with the spring and strut together, complete with mount, resulting in less replacement work and generally lower parts costs.
PriceA: The cost of a spare part is not always the most important factor, but almost always plays a role. When choosing a spare part, spare parts for the aftermarket are considered cheaper with similar quality. This is not always the case and you should always check prices from multiple sources to make sure you are getting a fair price. You may notice that the parts department of the dealership offers the same part at a lower price, but don't forget the warranty on that part. You will probably notice that the aftermarket part will be several years longer than the dealer and sometimes even with a lifetime warranty. In these situations, a more expensive aftermarket part may be your best bet.
Possible problems with spare parts
While replacement parts can be a great alternative to car repairs, there are a few things to keep in mind when using them.
Warranty conflictA: If you have a newer vehicle and it is still covered by the factory warranty, fitting a non-genuine part or accessory may void some or all of your warranty. More often than not, the only part subject to warranty limitations is the installed aftermarket part, not the entire vehicle. The reason this system or part is voided is because it is no longer an installed original equipment part, removing the manufacturer's responsibility to repair it.
WorkmanshipA: Some spare parts are cheaper because they are manufactured to a lower standard than original equipment parts. For example, the metal part may have a higher recycled content, or the sensor may not be as resistant to high temperatures. Some spare parts may fail prematurely due to lower quality materials or manufacturing.
When it comes to replacement parts for your vehicle, consider all options. Aftermarket parts are offered at competitive prices, with warranties and quality options that you can choose from to suit your individual needs.
