Comparison Between OEM and Aftermarket Auto Parts

Automotive spare parts are broadly divided into two types - Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket parts. OEM parts are made by the original vehicle manufacturer or an authorized manufacturer gets exclusive rights and specifications from the original company to make the automotive parts.

Aftermarket parts are not manufactured by the vehicle manufacturers. Aftermarket parts are designed in such a way that they fit into two or three similar automobile models. Though OEMs and aftermarket parts look similar, their design and quality is different.

To understand the difference between OEM and aftermarket spare parts let us compare various parameters.

• Quality: OEM parts are of assured quality as they are genuine and are manufactured according to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications. Unless, the original manufacturer approves them, the auto parts cannot be manufactured. Further, as they are released in market with the original brand name, the manufacturers have long-term incentive to protect the reputation of the brand and thus maintain the quality as per the standards.

Independent manufacturers buy rights to manufacture and supply original parts. On the other hand, aftermarket parts are not made by the OEM, they are not original. That doesn't mean that aftermarket products are of sub-standard quality. They also perform well and at times they are of the same quality as the original or OEM parts.

• Variety: When it comes to variety, we have to admit that aftermarket parts are available in wide variety, as dozens of companies manufacture them in different variations. They are designed to fit different auto makes. However, this overwhelming selection may sometimes confuse the customer and may increase the likelihood of getting a bad quality product.

OEM parts are manufactured by only some companies. They are designed to fit in a specific automobile. So, the variety may not be that great. However, this limited variety helps the user to choose the exact spare part for the automobile.

• Cost: OEM parts are expensive when compared to the aftermarket parts. Aftermarket manufactures often succumb to the price pressure and tend to reduce the prices to make the products viable. In this process they may compromise on the quality of the products.

But, OEMs, bearing the responsibility to protect the brand image of the company will not manufacture sub-standard parts. Thus, their pricing is almost close to the original parts. Though they are expensive it's worth investing because of their promising quality and durability.

• Warranty: Warranty is the major difference between OEM parts and aftermarket parts. OEMs generally back up their products with at least one year warranty. But the after-market manufacturers in order to keep the costs down will not provide any warranty for the parts.

• Usability: OEM parts are similar to the original parts and will exactly fit the automobile. As aftermarket products are designed to fit a variety of models, one has to check if it fits their automobile. In some cases, they may require slight/major modifications before installing to make them fit correctly and operate properly in a specific vehicle.

• Availability: OEM parts are available at authorized dealerships. One has to go to a dealership to buy. Whereas aftermarket products are available at different places like auto stores, gas stations, mechanic/repair shops, etc. leaving you with more options to make a purchase.

• Safety and security: The use of low quality material may increase safety issues with aftermarket parts. But OEM parts are reliable as the manufacturers never compromise on the quality factor. If the aftermarket parts are of low quality or less expensive, then they may wear faster. So, you need to check them periodically to avoid safety issues.

To conclude, aftermarket parts are made by local manufacturers and they don't meet the standards of the OEM parts. You can find two varieties in aftermarket parts - good quality and low quality, but it is not the same with OEM parts, they are of high quality. If you can figure out the brands that offer good quality aftermarket parts with lot of price variation compared to OEM parts, that you can save money. However, if the price difference is negligible it's better to opt for OEM parts.

Used Auto Parts

Used auto parts not only include car parts but also trucks and other vehicles. There are many websites that sell and buy used auto parts. These business firms salvage what they can from junkyards and improve on the quality of that part before selling it. If a person is interested in selling used auto parts then it is advisable to start the business on-line so that the seed money required for the business is less compared to any business that is initiated in the normal market.

The United States of America produces so many cars in a year that it is difficult to recycle every part that is produced and the junkyards have started to pile up. The used car parts market is very big in the US and is cluttered with useless parts that people try to sell. Recognizing and differentiating between useful parts and the useless ones is a skill that is required in this business.

Numerous salvage yards buy used automotive parts and usually purchase the sheet metal of the body and late model trucks or cars with usable parts. This means that almost all salvage yards owners are interested in buying automotive parts that are in working condition.

Used auto parts come in many varieties and the quality of a used auto part can be judged according to its age, the make, whether it was still in use, and according to the wear and tear that it has withstood. Many gas stations sell used auto parts but the quality of these parts may not be very good. If a person is interested in buying and selling used auto parts then a salvage yard can provide the seller or the buyer with myriad choices.

There are retail outlets, online stores, mechanics and salvage yard owners who readily agree to buy or sell used automotive parts to anyone who is interested. A simple garage sale can also be a solution for selling or buying used auto parts.

Tough and Durable Replacement Land Rover Parts: Defying Severe Off-Road Conditions

Land Rover is an unbeatable name in the all-terrain utility vehicle market. This marque sports not only the toughest performance auto parts from Land Rover electrical parts to Land Rover fuel injection parts, Land Rover transmission parts, Land Rover suspension and Land Rover accessories; but rugged looks and excellent luxury features as well, being a part of the Premier Automotive Group of Ford.

Several Land Rover vehicles have made it to the top of the auto market through the years; the most popular is the Land Rover Discovery. This luxury SUV successfully vies in the auto industry's luxury off-road vehicle segment. Powered by a 4.0 L V8, and equipped with heavy duty Land Rover mechanical engine parts, and highly efficient Land Rover fuel system parts, there's no doubt this vehicle is ready to take you anywhere you desire.

Although less popular the than the Discovery, Land Rover's top model, the Range Rover still heads the Land Rover line of SUVs. It comes with a permanent 4WD and disc brakes all around. Land Rover Range Rover auto parts are made with the highest standards in order to meet the meticulous demands of the luxury market. Since this vehicle was launched in 1970, no other sport utility vehicle has equaled or surpassed the Range Rover in terms of luxurious features. With its technologically advanced interior Land Rover Parts, excellent safety features and impressive line of performance auto parts, it is by far the Best Luxury SUV in the market.

Best as it may seem to be, Land Rover SUVs are still subject to common car problems and its tried and tested Land Rover Parts, subject to wear and tear. Hence, proper and frequent maintenance is needed to keep its driving potentials intact. If some of your Rover Range Rover parts have been damaged, perhaps due to a collision, make sure to replace them with equally dependable Land Rover Parts and Range Rover Parts. Replacing your stock auto parts with high quality, tough and reliable replacement performance parts, aftermarket parts and auto accessories is the best way to ensure your safety and driving satisfaction.

Among the thousands of auto parts store online that offer OEM-quality parts, only one store affords the most comprehensive and the most dependable line of Land Rover Parts and Land Rover Body Parts, Land Rover Parts for Discovery and other Land Rover vehicles, Land Rover Parts and Car Parts. All parts offered in this store are guaranteed tough and durable and are designed to defy severe off-road driving conditions.

Knowing that only the most reliable auto parts can give you ultimate driving satisfaction, Land Rover Parts and Car Parts delivers only the finest Land Rover Parts and Rover Parts, Land Rover Parts for Discovery, Land Rover Range Rover Parts and Land Rover Defender Parts that meet your vehicle's specifications. The best way to prove these replacement parts' toughness and dependability is to take your SUV off-road. This Land Rover Parts and Rover Parts store is ready to take the challenge.

The Differences Between OE OEM and OES Parts

OE: Original Equipment:  This part is either made by the car manufacture or is made by an automotive part supplier and is branded with the car manufactures logo and/or in the car manufactures box.  

OEM Original Equipment Manufacture

OES Original Equipment Supplier

Car manufacturers do not make all their parts that they put on their vehicles during assembly or repair, they contract out to auto part manufactures to make parts for them. For the most part the car manufacturer makes the body, frame and major engine components the rest they 'farm out' to OEM/OES manufacturers. The car manufacturer provides the specifications to the OEM/OES manufactures for the parts they need. The OEM/OES manufactures the part to these specs, adds a logo and ships it to the car manufacture.

Bosch, Bilstien, Boge, Beru, Mann, ATE, to name a few, are all OEM or OES suppliers to the car manufacturers. They make parts from spark plugs to exhaust parts. The difference between OE and OEM/OES is mainly the OEM/OES usually don't have the car manufactures logo, but they are the same exact part. Sometimes the logo is ground off the part by the OEM/OES company so as not to affect there contract with the car manufacture. Same part coming off the same assembly line as the OE part does.

The OEM/OES parts are less expensive because they do not go through the car manufactures part system. Every time an OE part goes through a depot, warehouse, dealer, there is a little more money added to the cost of the part. This is the major reason that OE parts cost more. OEM/OES do not go through this procedure, our buyers get them directly from the manufactures, keeping the prices down.  

Aftermarket: aftermarket parts are just that, aftermarket. They are not made by the car manufacturers. They can be made by one of the original equipment manufacturer companies or by a completely different manufacturer. The main difference is they are not made completely to the car manufacture specifications. This is not always bad. One example is Bilstien. They are an OEM/OES supplier, but they offer aftermarket parts also. There HD struts/shocks are original equipment, but their Sport struts/shocks and suspension kits are not made to OE specifications, better but not OE, so it's now an aftermarket part. Another example is the Stewart EMP BMW water pumps. Stewart EMP is NOT an OEM/OES manufacturer but the pump they make is better and stronger than OE. It is an aftermarket part but a better part altogether.  

But still another example of an aftermarket BAD part is a counterfeit part. Counterfeit part manufacturers use backward engineering to get the specifications of the part without paying the car manufacturer. And almost all the time these parts are made with very low quality components. Sometimes these parts are very hard to identify because a lot of emphasis is put on the look and feel of the part and not what it is made from. One way to identify an counterfeit part is its unbelievable low price, the old adage you get what you pay for fits here. The best way to avoid these cheap low quality parts is to purchase your parts from a reliable source, one that offers a warranty and return policy.

Almost all Performance parts are aftermarket parts, again be careful with these parts also. Buy from a reputable supplier or/or manufacturer.  

Replacement Auto Parts Where to Find Them

When needing a replacement part for you car, where do you shop? Like many motorists you may head down to the big box retailer for all of your needs. A good choice both for value and for selection. Still, mostly any retailer is limited as to what they can stock. This especially holds true if you drive a rare or uncommon vehicle. Try finding a window regulator for your '69 Torino at the parts store; they'll get it for you but it will have to be back ordered. So, where should you shop? That's up to you, but let's goes over the options that you have.

The Salvage Yard. Let's admit it: there isn't anything wrong with going to the junkyard to find the part you need. My '78 VW Rabbit's window handle broke and I snagged one off of a junker for just a few bucks. Still, if you are looking for a radiator, engine, exhaust stuff, or anything else that actually runs, you risk that the part will fail soon after you place it in your car. Naturally, the price you pay through the junkyard should be the lowest price going.

Your Dealer. On the other side of the spectrum is your car dealer. If they don't have it in stock, they can get if for you. Service with a smile and a price that will make you frown! Yes, you will pay dearly for some parts, as middleman mark ups kick in.

Your Retail Store. Retail auto supply chains typically have the broadest selection and the lowest prices of any of the brick and mortar retailers. Your best option for a good buy is when something is on sale; stock items will cost you the prevailing retail rate, but that is the price you pay for convenience. Overhead [buildings, labor] is high even with most national retailers.

Shop Online. Wholesale providers of automobile replacement parts and accessories are springing up all over the internet. Some stores are good, some are not. What to look for: available customer service agents; a toll free number where you can call someone to talk with directly; a store that never closes and has a secured payment site; and clearly understood shipment, payment, and return policies. Generally, an online retailer should be a great option as low overhead and purchasing directly from the manufacturer is what sets these wholesalers apart from the rest. Still, do your homework and make sure that the site is what it says it is.

One special warning: the growth of the counterfeit parts industry is causing fits for retailers and consumers. If you suspect that you have purchased a bogus part, return it to the retailer for a full return. One more good reason to learn what a company's return policy is before you do business with them.

In all, shopping for parts is easier today, thanks to the internet. From the ease of your computer you can compare prices, service, shipping options, warranties, and more. The consumer is the winner and retailers are keeping prices low in order to bring in additional business.

How to Become an Auto Service Writer or Auto Parts Specialist

Imagine being able to enter into a great job in as little as 18 weeks of training? Does this sound too good to be true? Think again. You can actually find a program from auto training schools that can get you into the workforce this quickly. This course of study is the Advanced Automotive Service Advisor Program.

Reputable auto training schools that offer this program will usually work in collaboration with industry partnerships to provide students with training in the computer systems used in the automotive industry.

There are two extremely challenging positions that can be achieved through this kind of training--- that of a Professional Service Writer or that of a Parts Specialist.

WHY CHOOSE A CAREER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR?

A graduate from an auto training school will have the door open to an immense amount of opportunities available in the automotive industry. There are many people who are actually unaware of the career positions available in service writing or as a parts specialist. Did you know that the Canadian Automotive Industry will for a fact be looking for 92, 159 new employees by 2014. By the way, 94% will be full time based on current employment trends, all this according to the 2009 Labour Market Update.

WHAT DOES SERVICE WRITER TRAINING ENTAIL?

A student will spend approximately 50% of their training time in auto training schools learning the essentials of the current industry software applications. These will include:

• Dealership systems used for service and parts pricing, parts inventory cataloguing, service writing and customer management
• Automotive business management systems (ABMS)
• Learning industry standard estimating tools for parts and labour
• Learning how to search in electronic parts catalogues that let you locate parts around the world

WHAT DOES TRAINING FOR A PARTS SPECIALIST ENTAIL?

A parts specialist can work in both the retail automotive stores as well as in wholesale parts suppliers. In addition, there are also parts specialists in many industries including recreational and transportation.

The training for a parts specialist from auto training schools will include learning the following:

• How to take, place and follow up on orders
• Handle warranty issues, returns and labour claims
• Complete call reports, time sheets and expense reports
• Prepare and update sales contracts

Both a service writer and a parts specialist are jobs that will continue to grow in demand as the automotive industry continues to grow stronger each day. With so many new cars on the road each day, how can one go wrong to enrol in an auto training schools program? It can certainly add up to an amazing employment future!

How Could You Save Money Using Used Auto Parts?

Are you running your own car? If it is yes, then obviously you have to do regular maintenance of your car that requires you purchasing several parts at a regular interval. During this time, you should consider purchasing used auto parts rather than new auto parts that may cut a huge from your annual maintenance cost.

There are some advantages of replacing damaged auto parts of your car with used parts. Among various benefits, cost saving gets the top priority. If you want to purchase new parts, you may have to pay double than the used parts. This is the main reason why auto owners want to purchase old parts. Sometimes, it may save half of the price of new parts.

However, if you have any plan to replace your old car within one or two years, then it would be better for you to invest less on it. In such cases, you should give priority to purchasing a used one. But, you have to remember that you can't replace all damaged parts with used parts. There are some obstructions replacing parts like spark-plug and ECU sensors. You have to think about parts, which are durable and won't bother at all using for long time like engine head, cylinder, piston, and crankshaft and so on.

In some cases, new parts can rarely be managed from the manufacturer and even too much costly. You can easily find a good replacement of new parts from your nearby junkyards. Some automotive parts remain in good condition even though the car is damaged. If you can manage your required parts from the junkyard, then it would save a huge from your budget.

Some junkyards also sell used auto parts online leaving an option to you to find your required one easily from home. You can easily take that option to manage a good used one for the maintenance of your car. If you spend a little bit time online, you may find some junkyards selling auto parts at a very low cost.

You may also find some auto part stores selling used parts that have been machined or re-manufactured. Actually, they do machining of parts like damaged shaft and damaged gear teeth, and offer to customers at a very low cost. Though, these are technically used parts, but have got a new look and structure after machining. You can also think about such parts to cut your vehicle maintenance cost.