What Are Aftermarket Parts? A Quick Guide

Looking to upgrade your car, motorcycle, boat, or RV? As many 8 million people are modifying their cars, customizing them to their liking each year.

The car is not just a vehicle anymore, but it’s an extension of their identity. Young people use their modified vehicles as a reflection of themselves.

To modify a car, enthusiasts are using aftermarket parts. Even those who aren’t modifying their vehicles, but are trying to perform basic repairs are turning to aftermarket parts, thanks to their availability and affordability.

But what are aftermarket parts? And is it safe to buy aftermarket parts for your vehicle? Keep reading to learn all about the different types of car parts, and why buying aftermarket parts is essential to DIY car maintenance.

Non-Aftermarket Parts

To understand aftermarket parts, you have to learn about why they exist in the first place.

Car manufacturers want you to use OEM parts. OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer.”

There are the components created by the same manufacturer that made the car. So if you have a Toyota Corolla, and needed to replace the windshield wipers or rims, OEM parts are those made by Toyota specifically for that vehicle.

OEM parts are reliable and are guaranteed to work with a specific vehicle. You can purchase them on your own for DIY installation, or have a professional mechanic install them.

The problem with OEM parts is that they offer very limited options. There isn’t an opportunity to customize your vehicle with OEM parts, as they are intended for mass-produced cars that all look and perform the same.

Plus, OEM parts are expensive, since car manufacturers have a brand name that justifies higher prices. That’s why many people, car enthusiasts included, turn to aftermarket parts.

What are Aftermarket Parts?

Aftermarket parts are not made by car manufacturers, but by third-party companies that have no official relationship with car manufacturers.

Some of these third-party companies specialize in a certain type of vehicle. For example, Jeeps have many aftermarket brands that produce parts specifically for those customizing their Jeep, since that’s a very common vehicle to modify.

Companies like this allow you to find components that will let you customize your vehicle. Continuing the Jeep example, you can find custom Jeep tops, racks for carrying gear, bumpers, exposed doors, offroad tires, and much more.

Other companies produce generalized parts that can fit a wide array of vehicles. These companies are looking to produce common components, like windshield wipers, rearview mirrors, or other easily replaceable components.

The benefit of these types of parts is that they are often much cheaper than OEM components. So if you break something, and just need a cheap, easy fix so you can keep driving your vehicle, aftermarket parts are your go-to as long as you don’t need that part to perfectly match your vehicle. Aftermarket parts are a good option for car enthusiasts who want to customize their cars, and one popular brand for high-quality performance parts is integrated engineering. You can purchase aftermarket parts anywhere; online, in an auto parts store, and in some cases, from an auto repair shop. Most people that buy aftermarket parts like to tinker with their vehicles anyway, so they will buy online and install it themselves.

OEM vs Aftermarket Parts; Insurance

When you get in a car accident, your insurance company will be responsible for paying the repair bill. Obviously, they want to spend the least amount of money possible.

Insurance providers know that aftermarket components are just as safe and reliable as OEM parts, but a fraction of the cost. So insurance companies often encourage the installation of aftermarket parts to save on cost.

However, you can generally choose which components you’d like installed when getting repairs. If the parts you want are more expensive than the baseline, you may just need to pay the difference.

What About Quality?

OEM parts are known for their quality. After all, they’re made by the same people who made your car, in the same factory, with the same materials.

OEM parts are high quality and have a price tag to reflect it. But many aftermarket parts meet the quality standards of OEM parts and often exceed them. It just depends on the parts you choose to buy.

If you’re trying to find the cheapest aftermarket component, you’re probably going to get something that meets basic quality standards. But if you choose an aftermarket component from a specialty provider, then the quality will likely exceed that of OEM prices, for the same cost or even less.

Common Aftermarket Components

So what are the common auto parts that are replaced with aftermarket parts? Wheels and tires are one of the first. They are easy to replace and offer aesthetic and performance upgrades over standard OEM parts.

Whether you want offroad vehicles, spinning rims, or forged wheels, this is one of the most common and easiest upgrades to make.

An upgraded sound system is also one of the best aftermarket parts. Car manufacturers are not sound companies. They put the smallest, cheapest speakers in their vehicles. If you value high-quality sound when listening to music, then swapping your speakers and radio is worth doing.

Adding ultra-comfortable, or ultra-sleek sport seats to the front of your vehicle is also an easy upgrade that improves your comfort in the vehicle. A new steering wheel can improve the appearance of the vehicle.

The addition of rooftop racks or rear hitch racks can give you the ability to bring big items like kayaks or bikes everywhere you go. And adding a front bumper not only makes your car or truck look mean, but it will protect it from collisions, brush, and deer.

Many people also like swapping out the floor mats for something more durable and weather resistant. Some brands will even make custom sizes to ensure the perfect fit in any vehicle.

A Car as Unique as You

So what are aftermarket parts? They are car components made by third-party companies, instead of the one centralized, monopolistic car manufacturer that can charge whatever prices it wants to.

With aftermarket parts, many brands are producing parts, competing with one another, and charging fair prices for high-quality equipment. So if you want your vehicle to be unique, just like you, you’ll need to go with aftermarket parts.

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