{"id":1081,"date":"2021-05-28T15:37:09","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T22:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/?p=1081"},"modified":"2021-08-02T08:53:07","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T15:53:07","slug":"what-are-aftermarket-parts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/what-are-aftermarket-parts\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Aftermarket Parts?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/car-wheel-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"car wheel and brembo brakes\" class=\"wp-image-1082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/car-wheel-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/car-wheel-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/car-wheel-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/car-wheel-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/car-wheel.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Aftermarket parts are simply any vehicle parts that weren\u2019t manufactured by or sourced directly from the original manufacturer of your car. If you put a part on your Chevy that wasn\u2019t made by Chevy, then you\u2019ve installed an aftermarket part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The aftermarket parts industry is a huge one, with hundreds of brands producing thousands upon thousands of aftermarket parts for just about every possible system and vehicle. Meanwhile, mechanics and auto repair shops thrive on the use of aftermarket parts. These parts allow them to keep their costs down, profits up, and in some cases even pass along those savings to their customers. In fact, it\u2019s estimated that as many as 80% of repair shops use aftermarket parts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Service departments at your vehicle\u2019s dealership, however, will always use OEM parts on your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll explore all of the answers to the most common questions we receive about aftermarket parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>What are aftermarket parts?<\/li><li>What are manufacturer original or OEM parts?<\/li><li>What\u2019s the difference between aftermarket parts and OEM parts?<\/li><li>Types of aftermarket parts<\/li><li>Pros and cons of aftermarket parts<\/li><li>When to use aftermarket parts<\/li><li>Warranty information about aftermarket parts<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are Manufacturer Original or OEM Parts?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To answer this question,  we first have to answer this question: What exactly are OEM parts?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OEM simply stands for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/research\/a33216493\/oem-parts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Original Equipment Manufacturer<\/a>. It refers to parts that came on your car off the assembly line, or replacement parts purchased directly from the original manufacturer themselves. They aren\u2019t universally better or worse than aftermarket parts, but they do generally tend to be more expensive, and you know that they\u2019ll be at least the same quality as whatever part was originally installed on your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aftermarket Parts for Vehicle Repairs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most significant areas of concern for aftermarket parts comes when you drop your vehicle off for repairs at a mechanic or independent auto repair shop. As an informed car owner, you probably want to know what parts are being used on your vehicle\u2014 including whether they\u2019re OEM or aftermarket parts. Even further, if your mechanic is using aftermarket parts, you want to make sure they\u2019re sourcing them from trusted, high-quality brands and not poorly constructed budget options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.edmunds.com\/car-maintenance\/aftermarket-versus-manufacturer-car-parts.html#:~:text=Tom%20Torbjornsen%2C%20host%20of%20America's,high%2Dquality%20aftermarket%20parts.%22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">80% of independent mechanics use aftermarket parts<\/a> in repairs, not all of them are required to tell you about it. Regulations about disclosing the use of aftermarket parts to customers is regulated on a state-by-state basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing inherently wrong with a mechanic using aftermarket parts\u2014 after all, one of the advantages is that it helps <a href=\"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/how-car-insurance-works-older-cars\/\">keep your repair costs down<\/a>. However, you should know up-front before a repair whether the mechanic plans to use aftermarket parts, which parts they plan to use, and which brands they\u2019ll be sourcing them from.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, aftermarket parts are split into two categories\u2014 cosmetic and structural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cosmetic parts are those that don\u2019t influence the function or safety of your vehicle. They\u2019re focused on looks, and can include paints, decorative pieces, and more. Using aftermarket parts for these shouldn\u2019t void your vehicle\u2019s warranty or affect its function or safety, so any reputable brand should be fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Structural parts, however, affect your car\u2019s function and safety. Always ensure that your mechanic is using CAPA certified parts for structural repairs. The Certified Automobile Parts Association assesses parts like these to certify that they are functionally equivalent to OEM parts, meaning they perform the same in safety and usage tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros of Aftermarket Parts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What are they good for? Here are some of the reasons why you may consider it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In general, aftermarket parts cost less than OEM parts. This will obviously depend on specific brands and parts themselves, but you can generally expect to spend less for aftermarket parts\u2014 a great plus if you\u2019re completing a DIY repair project or looking to keep costs down at the mechanic. Just remember that it\u2019s possible to go too low on prices. Aftermarket parts that seem to be priced too low are probably poor quality and not worth the savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Opportunity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>People often say that aftermarket parts are lower quality than OEM parts, but that\u2019s a silly oversimplification. With hundreds of aftermarket brands producing hundreds of thousands of different parts, to say that they are universally lower quality is ridiculous. Because there\u2019s so much available, you have a chance to find a part that may actually be better than the factory original and improve your vehicle in some key ways.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When car manufacturers design a part, they\u2019re accounting for the full scope of the manufacturing and sale of a car. They have to account for how all the parts balance together, including their costs and customer expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But when an aftermarket manufacturer designs a part, they can often focus exclusively on that part, and sometimes this results in a part that improves on the original in key areas that you might love based on your personal preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Variety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The variety of aftermarket parts available is simply massive. From niche manufacturers creating specific parts for very specific purposes to huge names that make every single part you can imagine, you\u2019re guaranteed to find more variety when searching for aftermarket parts versus OEM parts. That said, all that variety can be a downside, too. If you don\u2019t know what to look for when it comes to quality, reputation, and fit, choosing from the hundreds of brands and options available can be pretty daunting. Seek help from someone you trust who knows cars and parts and you\u2019ll come out the other side with the perfect parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Availability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Because there are so many brands making such a wide variety of aftermarket products, you\u2019re more likely to find a part you need in the average auto parts store, mechanic\u2019s shop, or even a local gas station than you are to find an OEM part that\u2019s just right for your vehicle. This availability is what makes aftermarket parts a go-to option for minor fixes for many car owners and mechanics. You don\u2019t have to go to a specialist mechanic or your car brand\u2019s auto dealership just to take care of a minor repair or replacement if you opt for aftermarket parts that are available just about anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons of Aftermarket Parts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Because they can often be so much cheaper than OEM parts and offer more variety and availability, what are aftermarket parts doing wrong to make many people so suspicious of them? Often, that skepticism is overblown. But there are some downsides to aftermarket parts on your vehicle that you should consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Range of Quality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While some aftermarket part manufacturers produce quality parts consistently, others are much less committed to quality. Generally, you tend to get what you pay for when it comes to 3rd-party manufacturers. After all the opportunity for anyone to get into the business of car part manufacturing? That means that while you\u2019re sure to find brands that match or even exceed the quality of OEM parts, you\u2019ll also find those that use cheap materials, poor manufacturing methods, and a lack of commitment to customer service. Try to stick to brands that you know and trust, or those recommended by a mechanic or car expert that you know and trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lack of Warranty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many aftermarket part manufacturers are in the business of keeping their costs as low as possible so they can keep prices low and turn a higher profit. As a result, they sometimes won\u2019t offer a warranty on their parts. As-is parts can be a risky bet, because if they break down or experience issues immediately after installation, you\u2019re still out of luck. Keep this in mind when you\u2019re considering purchasing a more expensive aftermarket part for your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Effect on Value<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In many cases, installing aftermarket parts can sometimes affect the market value of your vehicle or its ability to be resold. While a private seller may not mind aftermarket parts and may even like the customization in some cases, selling your car to a dealership or returning your leased vehicle to a dealership may be a different story. They want cars they resell to have the broadest possible appeal to their buyers, and that means being able to tell them that the vehicles they\u2019re selling are all factory-original OEM parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to Use Manufacturer Original Parts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re having your vehicle repaired after a collision, always use OEM parts. Body work on a damaged vehicle should use the same parts as the original manufacturer, as aftermarket parts may not fit properly or have the same level of safety.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You also almost always want to use OEM parts on leased vehicles, in order to keep their market value as high as possible and avoid losing out on money when you turn the vehicle back in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But with most mechanics using OEM parts and only half of all states requiring them to disclose it, how can you know you\u2019re getting factory originals? One of the safest bets is going to your manufacturer\u2019s local dealership service department, where OEM parts are the standard. It may cost you more, but you\u2019ll know you\u2019re getting OEM parts when it matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Have more questions about vehicle repairs, insurance claims, and getting yourself cheap car insurance online? You can do it all right here at <a href=\"https:\/\/pos.freedomgeneral.com\/direct\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Freedom National<\/a>. Get your free auto insurance quote today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aftermarket parts are simply any vehicle parts that weren\u2019t manufactured by or sourced directly from the original manufacturer of your car. If you put a part on your Chevy that wasn\u2019t made by Chevy, then you\u2019ve installed an aftermarket part. The aftermarket parts industry is a huge one, with hundreds of brands producing thousands upon thousands of aftermarket parts for just about every possible system and vehicle. Meanwhile, mechanics and auto repair shops thrive on the use of aftermarket parts. These parts allow them to keep their costs down, profits up, and in some cases even pass along those savings <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1082,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v14.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Are Aftermarket Parts? | Freedom National<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What are aftermarket parts? 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