Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or Aftermarket: Tips for Auto Owners

Problem: Parts eventually wear out. Some fail very quickly (think oil filters, spark plugs) and some take longer to fail (bushings, cv joints) and some seem to last the life of the vehicle (control arms, coil springs). So WHEN a part fails it will be helpful to have an answer to the OEM vs Aftermarket question.

Should I choose aftermarket parts or OE parts?

There are many things to consider. The first and foremost should be the quality of the product. Your safety and extending your vehicle’s useful life should be top considerations. Here, you’ll find no definitive answer, but a trusted mechanic or your own due diligence will give you some comfort level. Are there reviews of the product from legit sources? Do customers talk about the product? How well does the company respond to customer issues?

Will aftermarket parts void my warranty?

The quick answer to that is that legally, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle (per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act passed in 1975).

A well trusted mechanic or your own research will prove invaluable when it comes time to replace car parts. Can an aftermarket part be trusted? Certainly – most of the time. Make sure you do your homework.

What about OE-style products or products claiming to be direct replacements?

These are basically aftermarket manufacturers that replicate an OE part. The part is identical in most cases to the OE part. Sometimes OEMs contract with other manufacturers who are also allowed to private label their parts. These parts often have a lower-than-dealer price tag which is appetizing.

Rukse is an aftermarket manufacturer with retail outlets (RSTGarage.com and JeepAndOffroadParts.com). The company sells aftermarket, OEM and OE style parts. If you have a question about what’s what, please don’t hesitate to give us a call (801) 872-7976 or contact us by email (service@rukse.com)