If the car is defective, there are various options for procuring replacement parts. It is not unusual for potential buyers to come across terms such as OEM parts and aftermarket parts. But what do the two designations mean, and how do the respective spare parts differ? This and everything important about OEM car parts and aftermarket parts can be found here in our article. We also explain the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of spare parts.

Read more: Used parts: How to check the quality of used car parts

OEM spare parts versus aftermarket parts

The difference between aftermarket and OEM is in fact quickly explained:

OEM parts are produced by the original suppliers who also supply the car manufacturers. These are therefore parts in original equipment quality. The term OEM comes from the English term Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Aftermarket parts, on the other hand, are spare parts that are reproduced by third-party manufacturers. The quality of aftermarket parts does not necessarily have to be worse. However, a very cheaply manufactured spare part can of course have defects in terms of quality and fit. These imponderables occur less often when buying OEM parts, which is a real advantage.

Some manufacturers of original spare parts divide the various replacement parts again into OE parts and OEM parts. OE parts are classified as spare parts that are manufactured for several car manufacturers and fit different cars. The OEM parts, on the other hand, are manufactured exclusively for a specific car manufacturer.

To buy OEM parts

OEM parts from the original parts manufacturer are ideal for restoring your faulty vehicle. Because they are original parts, as they were when the car was manufactured, repairs usually go smoothly. When you buy OEM parts, you are offered many advantages, but also some disadvantages.

Advantages when buying OEM parts (original parts)

• Exact fit and quality: Original parts in OEM quality correspond in terms of their specifications to the respective parts installed on the vehicle. In the event of a repair, OEM parts and the defective part on the car can simply be exchanged for each other. The quality of the OEM car parts is consistent and usually corresponds to the part originally installed on the car.
• Part numbers: OEM car parts are provided with uniform and fixed part numbers. This is the so-called OE part number, which is sometimes also referred to as the OEM number. With the help of the part number, it is possible to find suitable parts for each vehicle.
• Warranty: Manufacturers of OEM parts often provide a warranty on their products. If the purchased spare part breaks unexpectedly within a certain period of time after purchase, warranty claims exist, such as a free replacement or repair.

Disadvantages when buying OEM parts (original parts)

• Availability: OEM parts are not always available immediately, for example when supply chain issues arise. Not all dealers have a large stock of OEM quality parts, so the parts have to be ordered first. For an older car, sometimes there are no OEM car parts available at all.
• Price: New original parts are among the most expensive car parts on the market. Here you sometimes pay not only for the car part itself, but the prices are also measured by the good name of the manufacturer. However, the higher purchase price also includes costs for the warranty and the service of the parts manufacturer.
• Competition: OEM parts are not offered by all dealers and online retailers. Since original car parts are, among other things, expensive to buy, many suppliers do not stock such parts. This not only reduces the choice of dealers, but as a consequence hardly any special offers arise with so little competition.

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Buy Aftermarket Car Parts/Aftermarket Parts

Aftermarket parts offer the possibility to repair the car without using original car parts. The aftermarket parts are approximately the same as the original part, but variations in production may well occur due to different production facilities. If you buy aftermarket car parts, this will result in advantages as well as disadvantages.

Aftermarket Parts – Advantages

• • Prices: Aftermarket parts for the car are often much cheaper to buy than original parts. Sometimes the producers of aftermarket parts have cheaper production possibilities, and they also save costs in development. Furthermore, an expensive brand name does not have to be paid for aftermarket parts in contrast to original parts.
  • Selection: Aftermarket parts are available in great variety on the market. The different manufacturers of the aftermarket parts also allow a choice between different quality levels or manufacturing types.
  • Availability: Aftermarket car parts are often readily available. Many dealers have the parts directly in stock, and they are also constantly being replenished. Even for an older vehicle, there is often a good selection of aftermarket parts.

Aftermarket Parts – Disadvantage

• Quality: The quality of aftermarket parts is not necessarily inferior to OEM parts. However, differences in the characteristics and fitting accuracy of aftermarket parts are not uncommon due to different suppliers and manufacturing facilities.
• Counterfeits: In the area of aftermarket products, there are always suppliers who intentionally offer inferior products. If safety-relevant wear parts such as brakes do not meet the manufacturer’s specifications, they can quickly become a danger to your safety.
• Product designations: Unlike original parts, aftermarket parts do not always have uniform product designations or do not correspond to the specified OE numbers. Therefore, choosing the right part for aftermarket products can be more difficult.

Buy the right OEM part at Autoparts24

Do you want to enjoy the advantages of OEM car parts without paying too much? Then buying used original parts for your car is a good idea. Used spare parts of the original manufacturers offer advantages such as accuracy of fit and consistent quality, but are significantly cheaper than new parts.

At Autoparts24 you can find cheap original spare parts for almost every vehicle. The used parts are removed by car recycling in the course of environmentally friendly car disposal. After thorough examination, the used original parts will be offered for sale.

You can find the right spare part quickly and easily thanks to the convenient search at Autoparts24. Simply enter the make and model of your car in the search mask, or alternatively use the license number. Searching by key number offers a high degree of certainty that you will find the right car part. Before purchase, you should be sure to compare the OE part number of the defective car part with that of the spare part.

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