When it comes to purchasing parts for your car, you're faced with the option of getting the part from the casa or the manufacturer, or from the autosupply (3rd party). Normally, purchasing would depend on budget and availability. Original parts tend to be pricey and might not be available on the spot while 3rd party replacement parts are quite lower in price but are most likely inferior quality when compared to the original.
Some people choose to work on their cars, partly for the satisfaction it gives, but mainly because of the cost savings. But for those who are intimidated with “nuts and bolts,” Casa labor rates can be high, while your friendly talyer is expected to be lower. Choosing to do the work yourself can work out considerably cheaper. But it's not just on labor where you can make savings – but also on the parts themselves.
Let’s see the Pros and Cons of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. OEM is the term used for parts supplied by a main dealer. While some of the components may be produced by the manufacturer themselves, many will actually be produced by preferred external parts suppliers, and are often rebranded by the manufacturer. These are generally more expensive than comparable parts from replacement or third party suppliers, and are considered to be better quality – although in some instances there is negligible difference between the parts.
The OEM parts are guaranteed in quality. How so? Aside from stringent tests made by the manufacturer to develop these parts, the level of quality control is what makes it better. You know it will “fit right” and “work well.” Some owners will prefer a car maintained with OEM components in the casa, regardless of the cost. They will even wait if the parts are not available yet as long as it’s OEM.
There is a certain peace of mind that comes with buying Original Parts (OEM), plus, on occasion you may even find that an OEM part is offered at the same price as the aftermarket one. It’s also wise to get a quote from the casa before you decide.
Replacement parts, on the other hand, are almost always cheaper than the OEM equivalents. Due to the cost of some components, many enterprising companies produce their own alternatives. Because of the mass production from different companies, these replacement parts are readily available. These parts are everywhere, even in the online shops.
Some have fair quality and does the job it’s supposed to do. Yes, these parts are cheaper but it's also likely that it won't be made from as good quality material, with some needing more work to make it fit right. So it may not be the bargain it appears to be. My tip? Replacement suspension parts are okay but buy with caution. Never consider buying any replacement electrical component, like a sensor for example.
Ultimately, you’ll have to weigh up the pros and cons. You’ll have to ask yourself, will it be made to the same standard? Does the cost saving outweigh the potential for it not to last as long? Say for example, you need a new left headlight for your car. It's not likely that the ones made by the manufacturers will be considerably cheaper than a replacement part, but it will last so much longer. There may be the cheapest equivalents made by our neighbor far east, but it’s really a big gamble to buy these.
It's not unusual for a cheap, third party component to cost less than half of the OEM variant, and often it's unlikely it will last also half the life. In that instance, you get what you pay for. It obviously makes financial sense.
One of the good things about replacement parts is that it has good availability. Some parts can even be delivered to your house on a “cash on delivery” mode of payment. I’ve done so myself for my DIYs, as buying online is such a convenient way of getting parts. What I really don’t like about it is the uncertainty of whether these parts are good enough, quality wise.
From time to time, the casa throws in a sale. Keep an eye out for these events and schedule your Preventive Maintenance Services (PMS) during these times. Some main dealers throw a sale to get rid of old inventories particularly genuine parts for older models.
If your car is still under warranty, it's highly likely that fitting a replacement part will deem the warranty null and void. If you are still in that period, it is always best to adhere to manufacturer guidelines, and fit genuine OEM parts.