Sooner or later, every car repair raises the same question: original part or aftermarket? The price difference can be significant, but that does not always mean lower quality.
What is the difference?
OEM part (Original Equipment Manufacturer): made by the same supplier that equips the factory assembly line, often sold in packaging branded by the automaker.
Aftermarket part: made by a different company as a functional replacement, not necessarily identical in every respect to the original.
Worth knowing: many aftermarket parts are made in the exact same factory as the OEM version, just without the automaker's branding on the box, which can cut the price by 30-50%.
When aftermarket is a good choice
- Wear items: oil filters, brake pads, spark plugs from reputable brands (Bosch, Brembo, NGK) often match OEM quality at a lower price
- Older vehicles: on cars out of warranty, where function and price matter most
- Body panels: bumpers, mirrors, and headlights from established aftermarket manufacturers
When OEM is the better call
- Vehicle still under warranty: using non-OEM parts can, in some cases, void manufacturer warranty coverage
- Safety components: airbags, high-end brake system parts, and steering components
- Precision engine components: parts requiring very tight manufacturing tolerances
Comparison table
| Factor | OEM Part | Aftermarket |
|---|---|---|
| Price | higher | lower, typically 20-50% less |
| Availability | sometimes slower | usually faster |
| Manufacturer warranty | preserved | depends on service agreement |
| Quality | guaranteed | variable, brand-dependent |
How to judge aftermarket quality
Stick to reputable aftermarket brands (Bosch, Sachs, TRW, Brembo, Febi) instead of the cheapest unknown brands. A good mechanic can tell you which parts are worth buying OEM and where aftermarket works just fine.
Shops on Motoro list which parts they use in their profiles, so you can pick a shop that matches your priorities.