OEM Vs Independent Shop Car Parts Comparisons
The aftermarket car parts industry includes a large array of specialized products utilized for vehicle enhancement, maintenance, or repair. Many of these aftermarket goods serve as full replacements for OEM parts, sometimes even built or sometimes specially fabricated for the purpose of simply replacing worn out or damaged original equipment brand (OEM) components. Some aftermarket manufacturers produce and manufacture their own proprietary performance and appearance enhancing parts. While other manufacturers simply utilize the main brands that come from trusted aftermarket suppliers.
With the introduction of such aftermarket parts by OEMs, there has been a marked improvement in the performance of many vehicles, as well as the visual appeal of newer automobiles. This is also true of used cars. Most consumers are willing to part with their money for any reason, but it can be difficult to find quality and less expensive aftermarket parts for older vehicles, or for cars that have been heavily modified. However, this is no longer an issue, as more aftermarket manufacturers are providing competitive warranty programs and parts at lower prices than OEMs.
To find aftermarket car parts for your vehicle, you need to consider some important facts, including the pros and cons of each type of aftermarket part. The most obvious benefit of these aftermarket auto parts is the ability to save money. In fact, by purchasing these items, you can actually save up to 75% of what OEMs charge for replacement. This translates to huge savings over the life of a vehicle. While this benefit is obvious, it’s worth noting that this benefit is now available not only to consumers looking to replace or repair their existing OEM auto parts, but also to consumers looking to simply upgrade their appearance and performance.
Another pro for going with aftermarket is that you don’t have to visit a local auto part retailer to purchase the parts you want. For example, if you’ve purchased an HP printer and want to upgrade its LCD screen, you can always take it in to your local HP auto parts store. These stores offer a wide variety of aftermarket printer cartridges, monitor screens and other electronics. As long as the parts fit your vehicle, the staff at the store will help you select the right components and accessories. You will still be able to use the parts to repair your HP printer, or simply upgrade its performance.
On the flip side, these aftermarket car parts often come at higher costs. For instance, instead of visiting an HP auto parts store and purchasing an HP printer, you might instead opt to purchase an aftermarket PC monitor. While you can install an aftermarket PC monitor with little to no trouble, replacing your original one is not always an easy task. Purchasing HP printer cartridges for your vehicle can end up costing you quite a bit of money.
On the flip side, independent shops often carry only OEM aftermarket car parts for certain vehicles. In many instances, these parts are only made for a specific model of vehicle. An OE part is one that is designed and manufactured for the specific engine and transmission on a vehicle. While many independent shops carry aftermarket products for general vehicles such as sedans, trucks and SUV’s, many specialty aftermarket parts are only available for certain automobile manufacturers. The best way to determine which aftermarket car parts are right for your vehicle is to consult an expert.
When comparing manufacturer OEM and independent shops for parts, it’s important to take note of the warranties they offer. For instance, manufacturer warranties generally last between one and five years while independent shops generally offer extended warranty coverage on many of their products. This is because manufacturer-driven aftermarket automobile parts come with limited lifetime warranties, whereas independent shops make it a point to provide customers with extended warranty coverage on their products.
It’s also important to choose something like an extended warranty when purchasing auto parts from a local shop versus an online supplier. If an aftermarket product has a short warranty, it might not be worth purchasing. Some aftermarket automobile parts come with only a one year warranty while some come with two or three. As a wise car buyers, it’s imperative that you look into everything your vehicle is outfitted with so you can be sure you’re buying quality aftermarket parts at the right price.