If your car has been giving you trouble and you take it to the dealership's service department for repairs, you can be assured that you are getting OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. However, if you visit an independent repair shop, it is like that you will get aftermarket car parts. That can make you wonder if the lower price means poor quality, or when should you strictly use OEM parts.

To help you make an informed decision, here’s a list of pros and cons of OEM and aftermarket auto parts:

Aftermarket Parts

Aftermarket auto parts are the ones that are manufactured by a company other than the car manufacturer. Although these parts are made using the same quality material, they might be different in appearance and feel.

PROS

• Less expensive: Depending on the brand you choose, aftermarket parts tend to be less expensive than OEM parts; how much you save varies by brand. Look around for Korean auto parts online to find the best price.

• Quality can be equal to or better than OEM: Aftermarket parts manufacturers follow the reverse engineering mechanism, through which they are able to iron out the weaknesses. Therefore, aftermarket parts can sometimes be of better quality than OEM.

• More variety: Hundreds of companies make aftermarket parts which mean you have a more options and a wider range of prices.

• Better availability: Even local mechanics and gas stations will have aftermarket parts available.

CONS

• Quality varies greatly: Some aftermarket parts might be made from lower-quality materials so it is best to buy from a reputable source.

• Overwhelming selection: If you do not have much knowledge about aftermarket brands, the decision could be overwhelming due to the vast number of choices available. Consult an expert for advice or go with an OEM part if the price difference is not significant.

• May not have a warranty: Some aftermarket auto parts might be sold without a warranty to keep the costs down.

OEM Parts

OEM parts are made by the car’s manufacturer.

PROS

• Easier to choose a part: Since all parts are standardized, you need not worry about assessing the quality and price of different brands.

• Greater assurance of quality: The OEM part is guaranteed to function exactly as the one being replaced.

• Comes with a warranty: Most OEM parts are backed with a one-year warranty.

CONS

• More expensive: OEM parts will usually cost about 60% more than an aftermarket part.

• Need to be purchased at the dealership: Most people think it is best to go to a dealership to buy OEM parts which limits the number of places they can buy from. There are other reputable sources of buying Korean car accessories online that are trustworthy and offer quick delivery.

• Quality may not be superior: As mentioned earlier, some aftermarket parts are manufactured after removing the kinks found in OEM parts. So the high priced OEM parts might not always be as good as aftermarket auto parts.

Takeaway

All aftermarket parts are not manufactured equal — but all OEM parts are. Therefore, when considering purchasing aftermarket parts, make sure you invest your money with a reputable and trustworthy dealer.