OEM stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer” that produces the vehicle/application. Examples of popular OEMs in India in the passenger car segment are Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra, and Tata. OEM parts refer to replacement components made or marketed by the OEM of that application rather than by a third-party company. These parts are designed specifically for the intended product and are identical to the parts used in the vehicle’s initial manufacturing process.
For example, if you own a Ford car, OEM parts for your vehicle would be those produced or marketed by Ford itself, not by another company. OEM replacement parts are typically recommended for repairs and replacements because they ensure compatibility and often come with manufacturer warranties. Using OEM parts helps maintain the product’s original performance and safety standards.
They are usually more expensive than alternatives available in the market due to the higher brand value and overheads of the OEMs, but they offer more peace of mind and confidence to the end consumer.
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OEM Parts Meaning: Deciphering the Terminology
By understanding OEM parts meaning and how they differ from other spare parts, also called aftermarket parts, available in the automotive market, it will be easy to make decisions regarding the repairs and maintenance of your vehicle.
Decoding (OEM) Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts
OEM parts are marketed as “genuine components” designed, distributed, and marketed by the original manufacturer of that specific vehicle or application. This ensures that each part fits and functions as intended, preserving the original specifications, compatibility, and product standards.
Using OEM parts is essential for maintaining an application’s warranty and resale value, especially if it is within the OEM’s warranty period. They are often the preferred choice for repairs due to their guaranteed compatibility and the assurance of quality they bring. Understanding the significance of OEM parts helps consumers and professionals ensure their equipment or vehicles’ longevity and optimal performance.
Key Features of OEM Parts
Here are the key features of OEM parts that explain their significance:
- OEMs maintain a highly detailed design and compatibility history of each part for their applications, thus eliminating expensive rework due to wrong/incompatible parts being supplied and/or fitting into the vehicle.
- As OEM car parts are produced by the original manufacturer, they undergo various stringent QC tests.
- OEM parts are backed by warranty.
- OEM vehicle parts comply with the safety and quality standards.
Benefits of Using OEM Parts
Using OEM parts offers various benefits that improve your vehicle’s longevity, performance, and overall resale value. The primary advantages of OEM parts are mentioned below.
- High-quality materials
OEM parts are made using high-quality raw materials, and they are durable enough to survive daily use for a long time.
- Quality inspections
From material selection to physical inspection, all the OEM vehicle parts undergo quality control tests. This way, the manufacturers supply only the best quality OEM components that meet the QA standards.
- Safety
As the OEM components are made considering the industry standards and safety certifications like the E mark for brake pads and mandatory IATF certification of their vendors, they are known for their safety, especially the braking system parts.
- Warranty
In general, most of the OEM vehicle parts come with a warranty against any manufacturing defect, thus giving the end user peace of mind and confidence.
- Good resale value
If a vehicle has been maintained exclusively using OEM parts, it will command a higher resale value in the pre-owned market.
Exploring OEM Replacement Parts
OEM replacement parts are the spare parts for your vehicle’s original parts. Compared to aftermarket replacement parts, OEM replacement parts are beneficial. Let’s explore the benefits of OEM spare components and a brief buying guide.
Advantages of OEM Replacement Parts
Check out the main advantages of OEM replacement parts.
- Compatibility
OEMs maintain a detailed catalog of the parts they manufacture for each vehicle. Hence, you can simply purchase the replacement parts by informing your car’s model, year, and unique serial number (VIN) of your vehicle. You do not need to know the exact OEM part number of each part you want.
- Budget-friendly:
OEM replacement parts are available at affordable prices. In addition, they help you save money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs caused by using low-quality aftermarket parts. Surprisingly, some fast-moving parts like clutch kits, shock absorbers, filters, etc. might be less expensive in genuine OEM brands as compared to their aftermarket option!
- Direct replacement
You can use OEM spare parts as the direct replacement for the original vehicle parts. You do not have to modify anything as they perfectly fit your vehicle.
- Customer support
When buying OEM replacement parts, you can contact the manufacturer with any queries. In addition, the support team will respond if any issues arise related to the replacement components.
Considerations When Choosing OEM Replacement Parts
Manufacturer reputation
Due to the nature of the business, OEMs tend to be very large companies with modern management and quality assurance systems. Hence, OEM parts tend to have very low failure rates, as opposed to poor quality aftermarket components that may be manufactured by small, unorganized companies without the adequate infrastructure to assure the consistent quality of their product.
Conclusion
OEM replacement parts are known for their quality, durability, safety, and affordability. Also, using OEM parts will enhance the longevity and performance of your vehicle. If your vehicle components need replacement, it is best to choose OEM replacement parts rather than aftermarket components.
FAQ’s
- Why are OEM parts considered to be of higher quality?
OEM parts are distributed and marketed by the original vehicle manufacturers, who use appropriate vendors to make the parts and control quality through stringent QC. Also, they ensure that the parts comply with safety standards, which is why they are considered higher quality.
- Are OEM parts more expensive than aftermarket alternatives?
Yes. OEM components are generally more expensive compared to aftermarket alternatives. This is because OEM parts are made with suitable quality materials with many quality and safety inspections. On the other hand, aftermarket parts require some user knowledge to judge their quality, and you may face compatibility or performance issues.
- Can I trust the authenticity of OEM parts?
There are many counterfeit OEM parts sold in the market. Hence, you should be careful where you source them. If it is a genuine OEM part, then it will be backed by an OEM warranty and will be of a consistent and reliable quality, more often than not.
- Are OEM parts covered by warranties?
In most cases, OEM parts are covered by warranties. However, there can be warranty exceptions for some spare parts, so it is important to contact the manufacturer. Also, normal wear and tear is usually not covered under any warranty. Wear parts like brake pads, clutch facings, and shock absorbers usually have limited warranties.
