When it's time to repair your car, you face a choice between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vs. aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts are usually cheaper, but price isn't the only consideration when it comes to fixing your car. Understanding the pros and cons of aftermarket parts will help you decide whether they're a good option for your particular situation.
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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.
They're generally equally as safe as OEM parts but cost much less. They're typically the sheet metal or plastic components that make up the exterior of the car: bumpers, fenders, hoods, and so on.
The benefits to generic car parts typically center around price.
Prices for aftermarket parts are almost always less than those for OEM parts, which can be 60% more expensive. Since parts make up almost half of the cost of most body work, saving money here can cut down on the total cost of the repair. Insurance companies prefer the cost-savings of aftermarket parts, especially when they are just as safe as the OEM parts.
Your car has only one manufacturer, so if you want an OEM part, you will have only one option. But with aftermarket parts, you may have loads of makers to choose from. A big selection means more competition and lower prices, as well as more convenience, too. You're much more likely to find the aftermarket version of a part you need at your local parts store, whereas the OEM version may need to be ordered, delaying your repair.
Of course, quality can vary depending on the component that needs to be replaced. But you can find aftermarket parts whose quality meets or exceeds the OEM version.
You'll have more options with aftermarket parts, but not all aftermarket parts are created equal. You may encounter lower-quality items or ones that aren’t a good fit for your specific vehicle. If these parts haven't been certified, it's more difficult to tell their quality. However, in the event that a part doesn't fit your car, your car insurance company may pay to replace it at no extra cost.
For cosmetic pieces such as bumper covers, it may be easier to tell an OEM part from an aftermarket part, but functionally they should be the same.
Practically all OEM parts come with some level of warranty protection, usually one year. Aftermarket parts sometimes come with little or no warranty.
While determining the quality of aftermarket parts can be uncertain sometimes, OEM parts can be a bit of a gamble, too. After all, if you're repairing a broken or worn-out OEM part, there's the possibility that the issue was with the part in the first place.
If you're deciding whether to use aftermarket parts for your car repair, you may seek out a second opinion for your specific car and the parts in question:
Remember that trying to save a few dollars on a cheaper part won't help you in the long run if you have to replace that part again and again.
Farm and construction equipment owners, do you ever waiver back and forth when deciding which parts to buy for your machine?
It's the age-old question: Original or aftermarket? Which is actually the way to go?
The answer: It depends. Like many things, choosing what's best depends on context and priorities.
At Titan Machinery, we believe that when you bring your heavy equipment to your dealership, you should be confident that the techs and parts specialists providing you recommendations have YOUR best interest in mind.
To help, we're breaking it down for you here.
Often referred to as "OEM" or "genuine," Original Equipment Manufacturer parts are replacement parts made by the same company (or manufacturer) that originally manufactured your machine. That means they've been developed specifically for your equipment's design, meet the intended safety and performance standards, and often come with a warranty from the manufacturer. At Titan, our customers lock in a 12-month parts/service warranty on genuine CNHi parts when a Titan Machinery technician installs them.
Are you interested in learning more about aftermarket spare parts? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
The benefits of OEM parts sound hard to beat, right?
Well, they are, and we're firm believers that OEM is more often the way to go than not. Even so, we understand that consumers consider aftermarket parts for a reason.
Aftermarket parts are replacement parts manufactured by a third party. They can be designed to fit a variety of makes and aren't guaranteed to be fully compatible or meet the safety and performance standards your machine's manufacturer has set.
That said, they do have some initial benefits. Which is best for you largely hinges on your priorities and how those fit into your budget. Aftermarket parts can be good enough, but we recommend fully understanding the pros and cons of each before deciding.
Going head to head, the most prominent themes between original and aftermarket parts are choice, cost, and quality.
Because third parties develop aftermarket parts, any parts manufacturer who wants to manufacture and sell can do so—anywhere around the globe. As a result, buyers will naturally have more options, but with the caveat that there are also many more low-quality parts in that mix.
Aftermarket manufacturers often utilize inferior materials and less strict requirements, so they also tend to be notably cheaper upfront. Cheaper to produce means cheaper to buy. While this does not always make them more cost-effective in the long term, it makes them a popular choice for those prioritizing upfront affordability. Naturally, the higher quality and guarantee of OEM parts also come with a higher price tag.
Quality, compatibility, and lifespan all work together. Your manufacturer designs genuine or OEM parts to precisely fit their equipment and applications using high-quality and durable materials. Selecting these parts guarantees compatibility that aftermarket parts cannot and usually comes with a more robust warranty. Additionally, because manufacturers do not oversee the standards of aftermarket parts, their quality can vary widely from one supplier to the next.
So, which is better?
Ultimately, what matters most to us is that you're using high-quality parts in your machines.
While you should determine what's best for your current budget and circumstances, Titan Machinery parts specialists are also here to help you weigh all the options fairly.
If you have a tight budget or only need a quick repair, aftermarket parts may be a suitable option for you. Just be aware of the tradeoffs you could be making in quality, dependability, fit, and warranty.
Meanwhile, if your machine is under a warranty that could be affected by the installation of aftermarket parts, you want more uptime between part replacements, or you want a guarantee the part will fit, OEM/genuine parts are the way to go.
For CNH operators, there's a third solution.
Reman parts by CNH are remanufactured and "engineered specifically for CNH machines to provide good‑as‑new functionality through the entire assembly."
Reman parts are not recycled, repaired, restored, refurbished, or used. Rather, they are parts that have been "examined, reclaimed, and tested to original performance specifications" to provide you with a load of benefits, including:
Learn More & Shop Reman Parts
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