There may be some situations in which you may want or need to buy new auto parts for your car or truck. To help you decide, we asked our automotive parts and service experts some frequently asked questions. Here’s is what they had to say.
OEM auto parts is what the auto industry calls the “Original Equipment Manufacturer” parts. They are manufactured for specific car or truck models by the OEM. These are your vehicle’s exact-matching parts. They include a limited warranty. Certified Service Centers use your VIN Number to source the correct part for your car, truck, or SUV.
These branded manufacturer parts insure top performance and quality.
These automobiles parts come with a manufacturer warranty.
These top of the line parts can cost more than comparative aftermarket items.
Dealerships typically order certain OEM parts from the manufacturer. This can take a few days if it is not already in stock.
An aftermarket part is any part for a car that is not provided directly from the vehicle’s manufacturer, or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). These automotive parts may be less-expensive for your vehicle’s repair and technical upgrade. Online retailers and local, independent shops most likely (though not necessarily) offer a wide selection of aftermarket auto parts. These automobile parts are designed to function similarly as the OEM versions. Aftermarket automotive parts, however, have their own pros and cons.
Low price can suggest a lower quality
These parts are not warrantied
These automobile parts are more affordable than the OEM manufacturer parts
Most independent auto-repair shops have these parts readily available
While most basic automobile parts range from $150 to $500, some part repairs can break a budget.
Always purchase OEM Manufacturer parts for collision repairs. non-manufacturer auto repair products may not fit securely when your vehicle has damaged body panels after a crash. Plus, an aftermarket part installation may void your leasing vehicle warranty. So, always use OEM parts for all lease vehicle repairs.
A complete auto manufacturer’s warranty necessarily doesn’t cover all auto parts. Car buyers, however, can always choose something like a factory warranty, an extended warranty, and bumper-to-bumper for the most comprehensive coverage. Even with an extended warranty, all of your vehicle’s parts will likely not be covered. Check out our coverage overview list below to learn more.
Craigslist is not an auto retailer; but on this online platform, third-party vendors sell automotive parts. For this reason, the quality cannot be guaranteed. If you are buying car parts from this source, make sure to research, verify, and compare before the purchase.
Indisputably, Amazon is a reputed online marketplace that provides customers with an easy and convenient site to shop for quality auto parts. While most car and truck parts sold by Amazon are from trusted sources, it can be hard for you to know if you’re getting the correct part for your car or truck since you are not dealing directly with an auto expert.
Yes, you can always shop for car and truck parts at the dealership. Most auto dealers only sell standard manufacturer parts. Most of all, they can help you find specific parts for your vehicle with its VIN.
You can always bring your own auto parts to an auto dealer. The dealer, however, can neither issue warranty on the purchased part, nor can they guarantee its performance. It is highly recommended to get your vehicle checked by a certified service center at a local auto dealer before buying any parts for installation. The certified technician will also be able to diagnose the problem and suggest the required replacement part, if necessary.
Bring your aftermarket auto part to a local dealership to get it installed. Before installation, a service technician at the service center will check the aftermarket car part to see if it is a match for your car. Even if they install the aftermarket auto part, however, the dealership can only issue a warranty on the labor.
Auto Parts – FAQ