OEM is an acronym for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and it usually refers to vehicle parts. In most cases, unless you go to a dealer to have your car serviced or repaired, you will probably get other kinds of parts called aftermarket parts.
If you are wondering what the difference between the two is, or if there is a difference at all, you should know that they are not the same. However, there are pros and cons to each. A fine line between cost and balance, which type of part is right for you depends on your comfort level and your budget.
What are aftermarket parts?
Aftermarket Ford fast parts are any parts that do not come from the original manufacturer of the car. If you choose to use aftermarket parts to repair or replace something on your car, you must know that in doing so, you void the manufacturer warranty that might be on your vehicle.
The market is flooded with many parts makers who design parts to function in the same capacity as the original manufacturer. A huge percentage of car repair shops use aftermarket parts, but the reality is that not all aftermarket parts have the same quality as the OEM ones.
What are the advantages of aftermarket parts?
The main advantage of using aftermarket parts is that they are typically less expensive than their OEM counterparts. Depending on who manufactures the part, the price can be considerably less. That does not always mean that it won’t equal the OEM parts in quality, but that can sometimes be the case.
There are many aftermarket parts that are equal, quality-wise, to comparable OEM parts. Since it depends on which brand you use and what the function of the part is, comparison shopping is the only way to know if it is a good buy or a poor choice.
Another advantage of buying aftermarket parts is that they come with a whole lot more variety and choices. If you are looking for something outside the ordinary with a better range of cost per part, then aftermarket parts might be preferable over OEM parts. Lastly, aftermarket parts are more available than OEM parts, which means that your repairs are done more quickly, and you are less likely to wait weeks for a part to arrive at the independent shop.
What are disadvantages to aftermarket parts?
The major disadvantage of aftermarket parts is that there is no way to guarantee their quality. Unfortunately, the quality of aftermarket parts can range widely. So, if you are having a part replaced and it is integral to the car’s safety and overall function, it might behoove you to pay a little bit more for OEM parts just to be safe and to protect your car’s longevity.
Although some might see it as an advantage, having too much variety can be like having too much on a dinner menu. It can make things more complex and overwhelm the consumer. Sometimes two choices are better than hundreds.
The last and most important disadvantage of aftermarket parts is that they usually do not come with the same warranty as OEM parts. Once more, if you do use them on your car, you make your existing warranty null and void, which can be significantly more costly if something goes wrong.
What are the advantages of OEM parts?
When you use OEM parts, it is easier to choose the right part because there aren’t many to choose from. You can also be assured that the part that you do get is high-quality because it typically comes with a warranty and because the manufacturer has a higher reputation to uphold. That can provide peace of mind to the consumer. Additionally, using OEM parts won’t usually nullify the manufacturer warranty that comes with your vehicle if your vehicle is still covered.
What are the disadvantages of OEM parts?
The cost of OEM parts is almost always more than the cost of aftermarket parts. If you are trying to decide between the difference in a few dollars of price and a part that is integral to the performance of a car, it might seem like a no-brainer to pay more for the higher quality part.
If you are talking about a superficial part that has nothing to do with your car’s operation, then paying less might seem like a better idea. To get OEM parts, you also have to go to a dealership, which can sometimes be less convenient and take longer if the parts need to be ordered. OEM parts are also not always guaranteed to be better. Even if they are high quality, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are better than certain aftermarket brands.
If you need a part replaced on your Ford, it is a good idea to take all factors into consideration before choosing which is better OEM parts or aftermarket parts for your business vehicle’s safety and function. You can always go to your local Ford dealer for solid advice about which parts are best for your vehicle.
