No other question keeps truckers thinking as much as this one. Brake pads wear out and suddenly you're back to thinking about it. Has this happened to you before? You're not alone.
Truckers all around the world are facing this difficult decision. Choosing OEM parts for comfort is appealing, but they can be expensive. You opt for aftermarket parts instead but can't find reliable sellers. The struggle is real but we have the perfect read for you.
Today we will discuss whether buying OEM or Aftermarket parts is the best option for your truck ... and wallet. We'll go in-depth on all the pros and cons for both OEM and aftermarket parts and the situations in which you may want to choose one over the other.
By the end of this article, we hope you will have a clear understanding of which type is the best fit for you and your business needs.
OEM Parts
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which means parts that are made by the same manufacturer that made the truck. They can be bought from online retailers (eBay, Amazon, etc.) but most truckers prefer to go to dealerships. Some truckers prefer these parts because they don't have to deal with problems such as parts not being fit or lower quality.
OEM - Pros
- Quality: This is one of the biggest advantages of buying OEM parts. Manufacturers produce them by the same standards as the original parts that came with the truck, so you know your truck will feel brand new.
- Compatibility: Once you order your OEM parts, you don't have to worry if they will be the correct size for your truck. Less stress - more productivity
- Warranty Support: OEM parts often have a warranty that covers you if the part is faulty or doesn't work properly.
OEM - Cons
- Cost: Easily the biggest con for OEM parts. OEM parts are often marked up 2-3x by retailers, so you may not want to spend an arm and a leg for your parts.
- Limited Options: OEM parts are limited to what the manufacturer produces. So if you're looking for an upgrade or new features, you may have to choose Aftermarket parts.
- Repairing: Most independent repair shops prefer aftermarket parts because they offer similar quality at a lower price. This can limit your OEM parts options.
Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket parts are made by companies other than the original manufacturer. Third-party companies make aftermarket parts to fit and work in trucks after they are sold by the manufacturer. They make parts that are similar in quality to OEM but considerably cheaper, thus aiming for good quality at a lower cost.
Aftermarket: Pros
- Cost: This is the main advantage of buying aftermarket parts. If you're looking to save money on your next truck repair, aftermarket parts will be your buddy.
- Wider Variety: Aftermarket companies are much more numerous, thus providing a broader range of brands and designs, with different and improved features. This allows you to choose between more options and customize your trucks better.
- Availability: Finding aftermarket parts is no hassle. You can find plenty of companies selling high-quality parts both online and in physical stores.
Aftermarket: Cons
- Quality Variability: It's common knowledge that the quality of aftermarket parts can vary greatly. However, you can find yourself buying aftermarket parts that are even better than the original. Many aftermarket companies use reverse engineering to find the weaknesses of certain parts and improve them.
- Resale value: Most of the time, truckers that use aftermarket parts do not intend to sell their trucks but are looking for cost-effective ways to fix them. However, using aftermarket parts will decrease the value of your truck if you ever plan on selling it.
- Limited or missing warranty: To save costs, some sellers may not offer a warranty. These companies may sell high-quality parts, but we believe this is a risky situation to put yourself in, so make sure you read their Warranty Policy before you proceed with your order.
Which type is the best for you?
This is not a simple decision but we'll try to make it easier for you. Assuming that you don't plan on selling your truck anytime soon, we will use price as the main differentiating factor. With that said, your best option will be to buy aftermarket parts. However there are a few things you need to check before ordering:
- Quality: Always look up the company that manufactured the parts (reviews, social media presence, blogs, forum discussions, etc.)
- Warranty: Make sure the seller has a warranty policy, you don’t want to be stuck with faulty parts when you open the package
- Technical Support: A trusted aftermarket parts seller will always provide post-purchase technical support. Most sellers will make this clear on the main page of their website, so read it carefully.
- Contact details: It's a massive red flag if the seller doesn't display their email and phone number on their website. You will usually find them at the bottom of the main page. If you can't find them, we advise against buying parts from the seller.
Conclusion
Both aftermarket and OEM parts come with advantages and disadvantages. OEM parts are all created equally, so you never have to worry about quality or parts not being fit for your truck, but this comfort comes with significant costs. This is why finding a trusted aftermarket seller is so important. You can get parts with similar or greater quality than OEM while saving loads of cash in the process.
At FleetRun Truck Parts we made sure to meet all the criteria of a perfect aftermarket truck parts seller. Check our product catalog here
