When you take your car for auto body repair in Salt Lake City, you are likely to face the choice of genuine parts, OEM, and aftermarket auto parts. Deciding on the best auto parts for your vehicle requires you to understand the quality of each type.
Although there may be a slight difference between genuine, OEM, and aftermarket parts, the quality level of each varies significantly. Since the type of auto part you select can affect the repairs, you can help inform your decision ahead of time by knowing their features and differences.
A genuine part is the type of part installed in your vehicle during manufacturing. It bears the manufacturer’s label and packaging. Since the same auto manufacturer makes them, genuine parts fit better than other types of auto parts. They are also more costly.
However, this does not mean they are of better quality than OEM and aftermarket replacement parts. As much as you would prefer a genuine part, most manufacturers are no longer making auto parts. Instead, they contract other companies to make the parts on their terms and specifications.
Companies initially contracted by the manufacturer make these parts. OEM parts are the same as genuine parts, only they do not bear the manufacturer’s logo, and the packaging is different.
Also, OEM parts are generally more cost-friendly compared to genuine parts.
You do not have to worry about fitting and compatibility because they are made under the manufacturer’s design and model specifications. OEM parts are a good choice because they meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
If you are looking for a cheaper option, you can go with aftermarket parts. Although aftermarket parts vary because companies other than the manufacturer or initial contracted company make them, they serve the same purpose as genuine and OEM parts.
That they are produced in large quantities at lower prices does not discredit their quality and reliability. Some makers may have noticed an aspect in the genuine parts that needed improvement and then capitalized on producing quality and durable parts. In such a case, an aftermarket part will give you better service at an affordable cost.
As you plan to get an auto body repair in Salt Lake City, there are some things you need to keep in mind. Besides finding a part that perfectly fits in your car, you need to consider the following factors:
The functionality of the new part should be the same as the one being replaced. You will need to be careful when opting for cheaper parts, as some may have compromised quality. On the other hand, a new part may be of higher quality, thus improving the overall functionality of your vehicle.
After the repair, the replaced part should blend in with the car. If it appears as an add-on, it’s not the right type of part for your vehicle. Most professional auto body technicians know the best auto parts you can use, depending on your budget.
Finding a reputable and affordable shop for auto body repair in Salt Lake City doesn’t have to be a daunting task. At Valley Collision, we offer Gold class certified repairs at affordable prices. Contact us today for reliable and expert services from our skilled technicians.
Let’s start by explaining the differences between the parts.
OEM, Original equipment manufacturer part is a part made by the manufacture or made for them to their specification but an external company. A genuine part is a part supplied by the vehicle manufacturer in their packaging. Aftermarket parts are parts produced by any other company. Often they are reverse engineered to be a very close to the original specification. Many options are available which can vary wildly in price and quality.
A number of vehicle parts can be purchased directly from the OEM. The will be supplied in plain packaging and are exactly the same specification as the genuine part. Often these parts are better priced than a genuine part.
Genuine parts are available directly from the manufacturer and in some cases as a parallel import.
Specialized aftermarket suppliers are able to produce more durable parts than OEM, others just produce parts designed for direct replacement.
When vehicle modifications are made often the best parts to use are the upgraded specialist’s parts. A company like this will reverse engineer the part and work out any weakness that may be present. Manufacturers will design taking into account cost, noise, durability and performance. Aftermarket design may be aimed directly at performance and not be as concerned with noise or vibration. A good example of this would be an aftermarket clutch. It will be able to handle more power than an OEM. As a side effect is it may vibrate or be noisier than OEM. Many other parts like ignition coils, Suspension arms, coil overs, brake pads and rotors all fit this category.
Items that are really cheap would have be designed for price without other aspects like durability considered.
In the aftermarket you have many options to choose from. If you are not familiar with the products you could get a low quality part just with clever advertising, instead of a well-engineered product worthy of the dollars spent.