When it is time to service your car, you often have a choice between using Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts or aftermarket parts, which are cheaper variations of the parts that manufacturer's design specifically for your model of car. Which should you choose? The OEM parts.
But what is so wrong with aftermarket parts? They are cheaper and there is a large variety to choose from. While it may seem fine that there is a lot to choose from, the quality can vary greatly and that means having difficulty finding the one part that is even remotely close to the quality of the manufacturer's part. There is also the fact that there may be no warranty and this could mean having to prematurely replace the part if it breaks before it should.
Factory Replacement Parts
OEM parts match what is in your vehicle, which means it is made for yours and no other. Because of this, it is easier to choose your part. You are not going to feel overwhelmed by a selection of parts with different levels of quality. It is true that OEM Toyota parts are more expensive than aftermarket parts, but the risk of having to replace the parts prematurely is reduced significantly.
Other advantages include:
Durability Many vehicles go well over 100,000 miles before their parts begin to wear or break. This is a testament to the durability of the original parts within the vehicle and factory replacement parts are equal in durability.
Warranty If the part would break prematurely or not function correctly, it is backed by a warranty. This warranty takes care of the replacement of the part so that you don't have to pay for something that is not your fault. With aftermarket parts, you are liable for part replacement even if the part is defective.
Adherence to manufacturer's standards The companies that make aftermarket parts adhere to their own standards. Factory replacement parts adhere to the same standards that were followed when the original parts to the vehicle were made. This means that the part will function the same way as the one that is being replaced.
Overall, the cost of an OEM part is worth the extra amount over an aftermarket part in order to have the reassurance that the part will operate exactly as it should. If it doesn't, then you do not have to pay for it, the manufacturer does.
Requesting OEM Parts
If you do not go to the dealership to have your car serviced, be sure to specify to the mechanic that you want OEM parts rather than aftermarket parts. Some mechanics assume that the owner of the vehicle is not going to care what part is used as long as it works and is affordable. They may have a certain brand that they work with because they have had no problems with it. However, sometimes when someone has a part break prematurely, they don't return to that mechanic because that is where they place the fault. In other words, it may not be 100 percent known what the failure rate is. By requesting an OEM part, you know that you are getting high quality that will last a long time.
3 Reasons You Should Always Buy Factory Replacement Parts for Your Car
