Original Parts vs. Aftermarket Parts: Quality, Differences, Price

Professional automotive repair specialists agree that regular maintenance and upkeep are crucial for a vehicle's performance. Naturally, this process involves replacing auto parts, so professionals must understand the differences between original parts and aftermarket parts.

In the process of repairing and maintaining vehicles, there are two skills that are very important for technicians, in addition to professional expertise. First, professional technicians must determine the best solution for each situation. For example, if a vehicle needs to replace a control arm, they must assess the vehicle's condition to decide whether to use original parts or aftermarket parts, ultimately choosing the appropriate option for the customer. Second, they must explain the reasons, benefits, and differences to the customer, allowing them to make their own choice. Therefore, understanding aftermarket parts is crucial.

1. Differences Between OEM and Aftermarket Car Parts
2. Price Difference Between OEM and Aftermarket Car Parts
3. Excellence Quality Indicators of Aftermarket Parts

Differences Between OEM and Aftermarket Car Parts

When car manufacturers produce vehicles, they use a series of specific parts, assemblies, and components to form the engine and structure of the car. For the purpose of warranty and support services, these parts are typically supplied to authorized dealers and repair shops for use in repairing and replacing components when the vehicle exhibits any defects.

Although this does not prevent vehicle owners from purchasing parts directly from manufacturers, it is worth noting that many people prefer to buy parts from private manufacturers, commonly referred to as aftermarket parts. Repair technicians and private manufacturers are also well aware that there is a vast market for spare parts, allowing them to produce and sell equivalent or even superior quality replacement parts at more affordable prices.

Suppose a vehicle's suspension system control arm has an issue. The technician can provide a control arm manufactured by the original manufacturer as well as one made by an aftermarket supplier. The technician's professional judgment and explanation of their differences and quality are essential at this point, making it crucial to understand the distinctions between original and aftermarket parts to make the most informed choice.

Original Parts (OEM)

These OEM parts match the vehicle's specifications in terms of size, structure, composition, and strength. In short, OEM parts offer the same reliability and durability as the original parts in the vehicle, with no better or worse quality.通常，這些零件價值會略高但是100%保證適用於該汽車。

Aftermarket Parts

Aftermarket parts are typically produced by large, specialized factories or foundries that focus on manufacturing alternatives to OEM parts. The manufacturing process involves engineering teams, metallurgists, technicians, and a range of professionals working together to develop and produce replacement parts with compatibility, reliability, and durability close to 100%.

Due to the requirement for these aftermarket parts to be 100% compatible with vehicles, the production process must meet extremely strict application standards, measurements, and quality. There should be no significant differences from OEM parts. Additionally, these factories achieve the same or even higher production efficiency.

Price Difference Between OEM and Aftermarket Car Parts

In the market, parts generally come from four sources: OEM parts, aftermarket parts, refurbished parts, and salvaged parts.

OEM parts: Refers to products directly produced by the car manufacturer or parts certified by the manufacturer from OEM suppliers. OEM parts typically indicate the brand, product name, and the manufacturer's unique part number on the packaging.

Aftermarket parts: These are components not certified by the car manufacturer, including non-OEM surplus products, aftermarket modifications, or products produced by other parts manufacturers, collectively referred to as aftermarket parts.

Reconditioned parts: These are used parts that have been reprocessed or refurbished by a reconditioning factory, usually falling into the higher price range. These types of reconditioned parts are sometimes referred to as remanufactured parts or refurbished parts.

Used parts: These parts are known as salvage parts and are removed directly from scrapped vehicles without undergoing any reconditioning or refurbishment process. The main distinction from reconditioned parts is that used parts are taken as-is from old vehicles that are no longer in service.

Due to the vast variety of automotive parts, we can only provide a general price reference. Aftermarket parts (including OEM parts) are typically priced at about half of the manufacturer's parts, reconditioned parts are approximately one-third of the manufacturer's parts, and used parts are about one-eighth of the manufacturer's parts.

P.S. These prices are only estimates and not accurate figures; parts are often influenced by product differences, quality conditions, and changes in market supply and demand. Additionally, parts quoted by authorized dealerships typically have higher prices than those from non-authorized service centers.

Excellence Quality Indicators of Aftermarket Parts

As we know, spare parts are the backbone of the entire automotive parts market, driving various sectors of the automotive industry worldwide. However, if you still believe that this production chain exists solely to meet car owners' demand for cheaper parts, you are mistaken.

In fact, today, the spare parts market is one of the significant driving forces for innovation in the field, as it combines technology, expertise, and specialized techniques to produce parts that are more durable, lighter, and capable of delivering superior performance.

This is a precision science where elements like iron and carbon combine with others, such as nickel, to create special metal alloys that enhance performance and produce materials suitable for various needs: lighter, less polluting, or more ductile. For example, these special alloys can outperform original parts in multiple aspects.

At CARICO, we have a dedicated team of technology and engineering experts focused on researching and improving the optimization of stamping molds and further processing to create various combinations. This allows us to enhance and optimize the mechanical performance and safety of our products while ensuring their versatility and compatibility.

If you are looking for reliable, compatible, and high-quality automotive replacement parts, Carico Mall is your smartest choice. We offer over 30,000 types of automotive parts, and regardless of your vehicle model and year, we can provide you with the parts you need.

Go shopping