What are aftermarket spare parts and how do they differ from genuine ones?
When there is a problem with the car, you are left with two options - genuine (original or OEM) and aftermarket spare parts. But what is the difference between them?
The spare parts used in the production of cars are either produced directly by the company or obtained from other manufacturers within the framework of the relevant contract and agreement. These spare parts are called original, "genuine" or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). "Aftermarket" spare parts are parts based on the originals, but produced by a third party, that is, independent manufacturers. These spare parts are in most cases exactly the same as the originals and are either inferior to the originals in terms of quality or provide the same quality and functionality. In special cases, some company spare parts can even be of better quality and durability than the original.
It is important to know that spare parts, known as aftermarket or branded parts, are not counterfeit products - they are simply produced by other manufacturers, called third parties, and marketed to the consumer market under their brand name. There is no doubt that not all the products of the manufacturers or brands operating in the field in question can be considered high quality. At the same time, not all original spare parts are of sufficient quality. For example, according to a study conducted, in the vast majority of cars recalled by the factory in 2019, the problematic part was the car manufacturer's replacement parts - that is, the original ones. Although this is understandable as a dilemma, if the car is purchased from an official distributor or dealer, you have almost no choice between genuine or aftermarket spare parts during the warranty period of the car. Because, during the warranty period of your car, it is required to be serviced only at official service centers. That’s why you are only eligible to have spare parts offered by the official service center, i.e., original spare parts.
The question that arises at this time is, on what basis should the buyer recognize, choose, and buy a brand that provides quality products? Below we have listed the features that will be useful and easily identifiable:
1. Special attention should be paid to product packaging. Experiences show that most manufacturers of low-quality and fake products pay attention to their packaging as much as they pay attention to the quality of the product - low. When it comes to quality packaging, 2 features should be considered:
- Aesthetics, attractiveness.
- The authenticity of the information on it.
2. You need to familiarize yourself with the terms of the warranty. With the exception of some spare parts, almost all parts must be guaranteed by the manufacturer. As with original parts, aftermarket parts have warranties depending on the type of product. Be careful if the product you're considering doesn't have it.
3. Research the brand online. If a brand doesn't have an official website and public address, company information section, and social media accounts, it's worth being suspicious. The most important part of sales is marketing, and if nothing is done by the brand at this stage, it is unlikely that the products will be of good quality.
It is an indisputable fact that there are plenty of low-quality ones among aftermarket parts. But this should not affect the quality and reputation of other brands. You can rely on aftermarket parts just as you rely on genuine parts to solve the problem with your car. Review the product based on the criteria above and get the product you want at a more affordable price!
