The Difference between OEM vs Aftermarket Car Parts

The Difference between OEM vs Aftermarket Car Parts

The majority of vehicle owners, for one reason or another, have had to get a part replaced in their car.

For those that have never faced this issue, it likely will come up at some point in the future. When you need a buy a new part for your car, you have a choice: get an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part directly from a dealership or buy an aftermarket part from another source. Since this is a dilemma that most car owners will face at some point, it’s important to understand the difference so you can make the best decision for your vehicle.

Aftermarket parts (also known as generic parts or non-OEM parts) are made by a manufacturer other than your vehicle’s original manufacturer. These parts are designed to perform the same function as the original part and can be used as replacements for the car’s original parts when doing repairs.

On the other hand, an OEM part is any part that was made by the same manufacturer that built your vehicle and are generally the same parts that were originally put into your car. For example, Nissan Genuine Parts are considered OEM parts for any Nissan vehicle. Since OEM parts are made by car manufacturers, these parts are held to the same quality assurance standards that are placed on the parts in brand new vehicles.

OEM parts can typically only be bought from a dealership. Most dealers often have an entire parts department with Factory-Trained staff that know both OEM and aftermarket parts, as well as the brand’s vehicle models, meaning that they can provide customers with advice and guidance to help them choose the right parts for their car.

The biggest difference between aftermarket parts and OEM parts is choice. Generally, there’s a wide selection of aftermarket parts to choose from for any one vehicle model, whereas an OEM part is only ever made by one specific manufacturer.

What Type of Parts Am I Covered For?

If the repair you need is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or an extended warranty from either the dealership or the manufacturer, these types of warranties will usually pay or reimburse you for the OEM parts your vehicle needs; some warranties may even require that OEM parts are used during all repairs for the warranty to remain intact.

Insurance companies, on the other hand, may vary in which type of parts they cover. Some may only cover aftermarket parts, while others may allow you to use OEM parts or may offer the option of OEM parts for an additional cost. In this situation, it’s always best to call and ask your insurance company about their specific policy.

If you are looking for Genuine Nissan Parts, Village Nissan and our group of Factory-Trained Specialists can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We offer a wide selection of parts both in-store and online. For more information, click here!

Or if you’re in the market for wholesale parts, Drive Autogroup has a team solely devoted to selling parts in bulk. Our Parts Wholesale Department provides parts to collision centres, body shops, retail stores, and more. We offer multiple brands including Toyota, Honda, Infiniti, Acura, Nissan, and Hyundai.

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