Are Aftermarket Parts As Good As OEM Parts? Weighing The Pros And Cons

One of the most common dilemmas when repairing their vehicles is choosing between OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts and aftermarket parts. The main question is are aftermarket parts as good as OEM parts?

For some people, OEM is the reliable standard and trusted option that the vehicle’s manufacturer deems fit to equip their vehicle. For others, aftermarket parts represent an upgrade and an opportunity to get the performance you want out of your vehicle. Here is a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of aftermarket parts. 

Are Aftermarket Parts as Good? The Case for Aftermarket Parts

Aftermarket parts have many notable advantages over OEM parts, and we’ll discuss a few here that you may or may not need to be more familiar with. Many people who have undergone auto parts training know about these advantages, but here is a brief review to refresh their knowledge.

Cost Savings  

Aftermarket parts are often much cheaper than their OEM counterparts. This can be a significant advantage for older vehicles or when routine maintenance repairs are needed. You can always find the more affordable aftermarket options – and they don’t have to come from making significant concessions in quality and performance.

Versatility and Variety

The luxury of variety comes with aftermarket options, so you can always choose the one that fits your needs and budget. With OEM parts, you’re stuck with the manufacturer’s choices, regardless of whether they cut it for you or if you want more. But when switching to aftermarket options, you can choose from a long list of options tailored to meet your needs, from fuel efficiency to performance, control, clearance, etc.

Performance Enhancements

With aftermarket enhancements, you can add as much power as you want your vehicle to possess. You can tweak settings in your engine that fire up your vehicle with more horsepower, torque, and acceleration. 

And suppose your driving terrain demands more vehicle conditioning than your OEM parts can offer. In that case, you’d have to switch to the specific aftermarket parts and the associated manufacturer that can help you gain the outcome you desire.

Are OEM Parts a Better Choice? The Case Against Aftermarket Parts

While aftermarket parts have their unique advantages, there are areas where they come up short when compared to OEM parts. After considering all these factors, the question is, are aftermarket parts as good as OEM parts? Your answer will be determined by factors specific to your vehicle and the outcome you’re looking for.

Compatibility Issues

You stand the risk of buying incompatible parts if you go the aftermarket route without doing due diligence. If you install them without confirming their compatibility, you can risk stressing engine performance and overall vehicle health. One key advantage of OEM parts over aftermarket parts is that they are guaranteed to fit and efficiently perform in your vehicle.

The Quality Question

You can only sometimes verify if aftermarket manufacturers use the same or higher degree of quality and expertise as their OEM counterparts. With so many options in the market, many unsuspecting vehicle owners end up with aftermarket parts of inferior quality.

In some cases, the manufacturers of these aftermarket parts do not conduct rigorous quality control testing and performance checks for their products. This is one area where OEM parts shine.

Warranty Loss

Switching from OEM to aftermarket parts can void the warranty of the original part, leaving you in a precarious situation. Although aftermarket parts come with warranties, these often contain terms that may not align with your vehicle’s overall warranty.

Are you interested in automotive school? 

Contact ATC for more information.