OEM vs. Aftermarket parts have been a tug-of-war decision for a while now. Trying to figure out if it’s alright to use aftermarket parts instead of OEM parts is a growing dilemma in the ATV and automobile industry, therefore I’m going to put my 2 cents in here.
My preference is and always will be OEM parts, however, it really depends upon the type of work you are doing. If you put in an aftermarket part, it just may not run correctly in the vehicle you are installing it in. The “true” aftermarket part is one that has been copied from the original equipment to help lower price and offer a cost alternative, however the OEM pricing is becoming quite competitive in that respect. In many cases, with aftermarket pricing, the lower price is far outweighed by its major disadvantage, usually being an inferior product that will probably cost you more money in the long run.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are, of course, exceptions to my thinking regarding aftermarket parts. When talking about automobile vehicles, I believe that OEM parts are the way to go when dealing with emissions and drivability related issues partly due to the design of aftermarket parts might not be as reliable nor run in sync with what you are trying to repair. On the flip side, when it comes to routine maintenance parts or parts that simply wear out often…aftermarket parts work especially well when it comes to availability and pricing.
When all said and done the real concern is “Reliability”. Usually OEM parts have been tested and approved for performance and high safety standards by the manufacturer. This is not always the case with the aftermarket part.
In the end, no matter which part you purchase, the OEM or the Aftermarket, you, yourself must be satisfied with the outcome. The best thing I can suggest is getting feedback from other individuals who have had to purchase or replace the same part you are thinking about and getting their opinion on the subject, whenever possible.
