When your car needs collision repair or auto parts to restore its function, two major concerns are price and time. For example, how much will new shocks or a replacement alternator cost and how long will it take to get the part? Finding the right part and getting safely back on the road within budget is easier when you understand the types of replacement car parts that are available and what will work best for you.
· OEM
· OE
· Aftermarket
· Remanufactured
· Rebuilt, Reconditioned or Refurbished
· Salvage and Used Auto Parts
OEM Parts
OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer, or those parts from the original auto parts manufacturer for the car company when it rolled its new cars off the assembly line. OEM replacement parts like hoses, fuel pumps, or hubcaps are guaranteed to fit same make and model and should work exactly as the part you’re replacing. Most automakers back up their OEM parts with at least a one-year warranty and OEM parts won’t negate an existing warranty on your car as some alternative replacement parts can do.
Considerations of using OEM parts include cost; they are usually up to 60% more expensive than other replacement parts, and you may have go to the dealer for an OEM part which could cost more in labor than an independent mechanic. OEM parts for older cars may take longer to order and receive, depending on the car manufacturer’s inventory, or they may no longer be available. If the original part had a flaw, this same flaw could be in a replacement OEM part as well, but possibly not in a non-OEM aftermarket part.
OE Parts
OE or Original Equipment parts are parts that were installed on the car in the factory by the auto maker. And although OE parts are Original Equipment parts installed on the car at assembly, they are not necessarily from the OEM parts manufacturer. For example, antennas, light bulbs and belts, or other regular service/replacement parts. OE is the same as factory-fitted or a genuine part that adheres to the original quality and specification of the car manufacturer, but it was manufactured by another company. OE parts are often mistakenly referred to as OEM parts since they qualify as original equipment to the specific vehicle.
OEM Parts
OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer, or those parts from the original car manufacturer when it rolled off the assembly line. OEM replacement parts like hoses, fuel pumps, or hubcaps are guaranteed to fit same make and model and should work exactly as the part you’re replacing. Most automakers back up their OEM parts with at least a one-year warranty and OEM parts won’t negate an existing warranty on your car as some alternative replacement parts can do.
Considerations of using OEM parts include cost; they are usually up to 60% more expensive than other replacement parts, and you may have go to the dealer for an OEM part which could cost more in labor than an independent mechanic. OEM parts for older cars may take longer to order and receive, depending on the car manufacturer’s inventory, or they may no longer be available. If the original part had a flaw, this same flaw could be in a replacement OEM part as well, but possibly not in a non-OEM aftermarket part.
OE Parts
OE parts are Original Equipment parts that the car was first built with, but not necessarily from the car manufacturer. For example, antennas, light bulbs and belts, or other regular service/replacement parts. OE is the same as factory-fitted or a genuine part that adheres to the original quality and specification of the car manufacturer, but it was manufactured by another company. OE parts are often mistakenly referred to as OEM parts since they qualify as original equipment to the specific vehicle.
Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket Auto Parts are new replacement parts made by a company other than original manufacturer that are designed to match the OEM parts as closely as possible. Also called generic or non-OEM, benefits of aftermarket car parts include cost and availability. Parts are generally up to 60% cheaper than OEM and, especially for older model cars, hard-to-find auto parts can be more readily available than dealer stock. Aftermarket parts can sometimes provide even higher quality than the part it’s replacing. By reverse-engineering the part, aftermarket part designers can sometimes make improvements, using more expensive materials or more advanced technology which can improve durability and performance in some instances.
Considerations of using aftermarket parts include varying quality per manufacturing company and whether parts come with a warranty. Check the reputation of the aftermarket manufacturer before you buy. (LKQ Online aftermarket parts come with a free, five-year standard warranty.) Additionally, if your car is covered under warranty, make sure aftermarket replacement parts will not void the warranty if OEM parts are required to retain safety standards and value, as is common with hoods and pillars.
Remanufactured Parts
To remanufacture is to make as close to new as possible. Remanufactured (reman) parts are completely disassembled, cleaned, and inspected, with each worn component replaced to restore the part to factory specifications, making it “good as new.” Popular reman auto parts include used engines and transmission repair. After reassembly, testing is performed to manufacturer measured specifications and original production standards. Remanufactured auto parts will generally maintain an existing car warranty and are considerably less expensive than OEM parts. Auto dealerships will use reman parts when new parts are not available.
Rebuilt, Reconditioned, or Refurbished Parts
Rebuilt, reconditioned, or refurbished parts are disassembled and repaired only to the extent necessary to make them work. In other words, the individual part components that are not replaced have some wear on them too. You end up with a part with differing amounts of wear to its components. Unlike reman parts, these restoration processes are not as meticulous for qualifying the part to manufacturer standards or like-new condition. They will not maintain an existing warranty.
Salvage, Recycled, and Used Parts
Salvage, recycled, and used parts are working, used OEM parts pulled from salvage vehicles, including mechanical parts as well as body parts and accessories. Salvage yards select the best parts from otherwise totaled vehicles and create an inventory to sell, including shocks, struts, converters, alternators, fenders, locks, and bumpers. These parts aren’t new, and may be cleaned, inspected, graded as to condition, refurbished, or sold “as-is” depending on how the salvage yard does business.
Some yards only sell the parts they have extracted, inspected, and put into inventory. Other salvage yards offer a “pull your own part” option along with a cataloged inventory. Buyers can browse available cars and trucks to find the part needed and remove it themselves. If you lack automotive knowledge, it’s a good idea to bring a mechanic with you to inspect the part before you agree to buy. Salvage, recycled, and used parts are a great way to save money on lightly used parts that have years of performance left in them. Parts may or may not come with a warranty so be sure to deal with an auto parts dealer you trust and ask about warranty coverage. (LKQ Online offers a free, limited warranty for six months or 6,000 miles on used auto parts.)