REPLACEMENT CAR PARTS BUYING TIPS
                     REPLACEMENT CAR PARTS BUYING TIPS
Paul Norman Jasper
Writer at autopartsu.com whose favorite topics 
include,  best replacement radiators and
 radiator replacement advice.
When you need to buy parts for your vehicle, you have tons of choices: 
Genuine, OEM and aftermarket parts. When you get to aftermarket parts, 
you have many brands to choose from, sometimes with a considerable 
difference in price. When it comes to auto parts, in most cases, “You get what 
you pay for” holds true. Always research replacement auto parts reviews 
before you buy from a name you are not familiar with.
The Difference
When you are comparing genuine, OEM and aftermarket parts, you can’t 
assume that just because a part is from the dealer that it’s better. Knowing 
the difference between the types of parts will help you choose what is best 
for your vehicle.
Genuine
Genuine parts come from the dealership in most cases. These parts are 
manufactured by the original vehicle manufacturer and are stamped with the 
manufacturer’s name. Sometimes auto parts stores stock certain genuine 
parts.
OEM
OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer.” Back in the day, these 
parts were also manufactured by the vehicle manufacturer, but in many 
cases, the manufacturers hire a third party, often in China or another country 
with low labor costs, to make OEM parts.
Aftermarket Parts
Any manufacturer that buys the rights for a specific part may make that part. 
Generally, if Brand A is more expensive than Brand B, Brand A used higher 
quality materials, though that doesn’t always hold true. When buying 
aftermarket parts, buy brands that you are familiar with, even if they end up 
costing you more. That extra few dollars may save you hours of time later 
because you won’t have to replace an inferior part.
When I Should or Should Not Buy Aftermarket Parts
In some cases, you are better off going with genuine parts or even OEM 
parts. Bodywork and brakes are good examples. If you buy a replacement 
fender from an aftermarket dealer, it may not fit exactly right. You’re better 
off buying body parts right from the dealership. Brakes are another item 
where quality is often better if you by OEM or genuine parts. The stopping 
power of aftermarket brakes is just as good as genuine or OEM brakes. 
However, aftermarket parts may squeak. If you don’t mind the noise, the go 
for the aftermarket brakes.
Often, aftermarket parts are better than OEM or genuine parts. The 
manufacturers of the aftermarket parts reverse-engineer the parts. If they 
find a weakness in the parts, they add the fix into their manufacturing 
process. If you are careful of the aftermarket brand you buy, you may even 
end up with something better than OEM or genuine parts for much less 
money.
Warranties
Always check the warranty on any part you purchase. Most parts have a one-
year or a limited lifetime warranty. Don’t let “limited lifetime” fool you—it 
means the lifetime of the part, which might be as little as a couple of years. It 
definitely does not mean the life of the car or your life.
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content helps the visitors to find right solution for auto parts. This site 
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