Aftermarket Parts Basics
What aftermarket parts are, how they are used and where to buy them
Whether you know it or not, you probably have experience with aftermarket car parts. If you've ever taken a vehicle to the repair shop or bought vehicle parts in a store, you likely paid for aftermarket parts and services. But just what are aftermarket parts? Are they as good as the parts your car manufacturer sells? Should you have any concerns about using aftermarket parts? And where can you buy them?Before you make any repairs or changes to your vehicle, it's a good idea to understand aftermarket parts basics. Fortunately, the topic isn't complicated, and by the time you're done reading this guide, you should have a good grasp of it. You'll learn:
1. What the auto aftermarket is,
2. Whether aftermarket accessories and parts are of good quality,
3. And where you can purchase automotive aftermarket parts.
Understand what the aftermarket auto parts industry is all about
Aftermarket parts (sometimes called "after market parts") are replacement parts--sometimes used for enhancement, sometimes used for necessary repairs--that are not OEM (or from the "original equipment manufacturer"). In other words, they are parts that are not made by the vehicle's original manufacturer. Performance parts are almost always aftermarket, as are enhancements like chrome wheels.
Try: Read "What Are After Market Auto Parts?" at WiseGeek for an explanation of aftermarket parts and their uses. "What Are Performance Car Parts" at Crutchfield explains what performance parts are and how they can enhance your vehicle.
Determine if your aftermarket auto part is safe
When you take your vehicle into a repair shop, aftermarket parts are often used. Such repair parts are up to 70 percent less expensive than OEM parts, yet experts argue they are the same part. Car manufacturers don't make their own auto parts; they buy them from the same companies making aftermarket parts. Therefore, aftermarket parts are generally just as good as OEM parts.
Try: "Deciding Between Aftermarket, OEM, and Genuine Auto Parts" at BestSourceAutoParts.com is a frank discussion of the quality of aftermarket parts. Visit Hot After Market Car Parts for helpful articles about aftermarket parts, including a discussion of when OEM parts might be better. It's not legal for mechanics to use aftermarket parts in all states; to find out what your state's laws are regarding aftermarket parts, visit the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Buy auto aftermarket accessories and parts
Aftermarket parts are available almost anywhere auto parts are sold. Your local auto parts shop almost certainly carries them, and so do most online vendors. For ease of shopping, try an online search engine geared entirely toward aftermarket parts.
Try: ModSearch allows you to easily search the Internet for aftermarket auto parts. 1A Auto allows you to search for aftermarket parts by either vehicle type or specific part.
- While some performance aftermarket parts are easy for amateur mechanics to install, anything complicated--especially if it will affect the way the vehicle runs--should be left to a pro.
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