Decoding Auto Parts: All You Need to Know

When it comes to the replacement or repair of the parts of your vehicle, you need to make important decisions. Would you want to take your car to the dealer’s servicing or an independent auto shop? Will it be better to go for aftermarket parts or OEM? And how about opting for recycled auto parts? Before you choose any of these, decoding auto parts is extremely crucial.

WHAT ARE OEM AUTOMOBILE PARTS

OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer refers to the companies that offer components and systems used in the end product of other companies. The original component manufacturer parts are bought by the automotive makers which get assembled into the car. While they are available with the manufacturers directly, you can also get OEM through retail companies. There is a belief that OEM parts offer consistent results and therefore, these are the only components that should be used in vehicles.

The OEM components are constructed for a particular machine which implies that they will fit right and work as required when an instant replacement becomes necessary. As these parts are machine-specific they don’t undergo much wear and tear the way reconditioned components do. Also, when you require a replacement part, all you need to do is to contact the manufacturer. These parts are armed with a decent warranty which rules out the tension of using an inferior component. But as they are made specifically for a machine, they are much pricier and might go out of stock easily.

WHAT ARE AFTERMARKET PARTS?

When you are decoding auto parts, you need to understand what are aftermarket parts. They are any replacement parts for a machine that are not crafted by the OEM. While they are designed to perform the same job, the quality and performance of these equipment vary to a great extent. One of the greatest advantages of aftermarket parts is that they are much cheaper. But you need to look for a trustworthy brand so that you can rest assured that you are receiving the best value for money.

It goes without saying that while OEM parts are sourced from a single manufacturer, aftermarket parts are obtained from multiple sources. Although these parts do not the standard warranty of OEM parts, you can easily come across components having a similar warranty period. Moreover, OEM components come with certain limitations which have no place when you opt for aftermarket parts.

WHAT ARE REMANUFACTURED AUTOMOBILE PARTS?

A remanufactured automobile part is simply a pre-owned OEM that has been used and cleaned. It is different from a reconditioned or refurbished part since the worn-out parts are changed with new ones. This means that the quality of performance of remanufactured automobile parts is similar to the OEM. In most cases, you can expect remanufactured parts to work like a new component. And the most common reason why individuals and companies opt for remanufactured automobile components is that they are much more affordable. But these components offer nominal warranties which means that the user will be at higher risk. Also, they are older compared to the other kinds of auto parts which means they are at higher odds of breaking down faster.

WHICH IS THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU?

As you have been decoding auto parts, the most critical question to answer is which is the best option for your vehicle. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question and the most suitable choice depends on the make and model of your car. In case you own a brand-new car that has decent warranty coverage, then it’s better to go for OEM parts. But as mentioned, these parts are subject to availability and are also the most expensive.

This brings us to the recycled parts which can vary widely and can be sourced from various places. Sometimes, the origin of these parts is not traced which brings a difference in the quality and conditions. Though they might appear good in pictures, it’s hard to discern whether they are the right fit for your vehicle.

But that doesn’t mean reliable parts cannot be obtained from remanufactured parts. There are tons of reputed businesses that offer the best-recycled auto parts for all kinds of vehicles including older models that are no longer manufactured.

And for all our South Florida readers you can alway count with PartsMax for all your aftermarket auto parts.