Aftermarket parts are made by a company other than the original manufacturer. These parts are made to fit and perform as well as, and in some cases better than the original.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This part was built by the company that originally made it for the car company.
Here are many pros and cons to choosing aftermarket parts over OEM parts.
Aftermarket parts are usually less expensive than OEM parts; how much you save varies by brand. However, If the price of the aftermarket parts seems too good, ask about the quality and the reasons for low cost.
In some cases an aftermarket part is better than the original that came in your car. Aftermarket companies analyze why specific OEM parts tend to fail and then improve on the original design or materials.
There are hundreds of companies that make aftermarket parts. Some specialize in specific parts.More variety means greater selection and a wider range of prices.Additionally, these parts are available at almost any auto repair facility, while OEM parts are usually only offered by the dealer.
If you're not familiar with aftermarket, the selection could be overwhelming, and there's some chance you may get a bad quality part.
Some aftermarket parts are inferior. Looking for professional suppliers is important. For example, suppliers with ISO 9001/16949 certificate.
