What does O.E.M. really mean?

[admin]

The term OEM stands for "Original Equipment Manufacturer". What does that really mean? It means that the part was made by a company that is a subcontractor to a vehicle manufacturer. It DOES NOT mean the part was made by the manufacturer. Some examples;

• Most fuel parts on a VW are made by Bosch. This means that Bosch is the OEM for VW regardless of where you buy the Bosch part it is still OEM.
• Tong Yang (A Chinese company) is the OEM light, mirror and radiator subcontractor for Nissan and Toyota.
• Hella is an OEM light supplier to many of the European vehicles.
• Almost all re-manufactured parts are OEM as the original part is rebuilt which does not change whom made the part.

It has long been a common misconception that only a vehicle dealership carries OEM parts. Though they would like you to believe that, it is not the case. Many if not most parts you get from a dealership you can also get elsewhere for less money made by the exact same company in a different box.

When buying auto parts keep in mind that the term OEM does not make the part better only "the same as". Many aftermarket parts (parts made as spare parts not as a part mounted on the original car) are as good and in many cases better than the original part. There are a few very low quality manufacturers of parts. Most of the ones I have had personal experience with and in my opinion are of the lowest quality have not come from Asian countries. So as with all auto parts purchases. Get a warranty from a reputable seller whom will take a return if there is a problem.

 

[nirtime]

Very very good post admin. I hope that people will see this and understand the truth behind the term "O.E.M"... Often times dealers try to make you a fool by telling you they are the only suppliers of OEM parts but this is not so. Its quite possible to buy a brand new Denso AC Compressor for a 1zz engine for less than the cost of that same Denso AC compressor in "OEM" packaging for a 3zz toyota engine used.

 

[LadyDeath]

Thank you admin for clearing this up because some people think that there is no difference between OEM and Original. It is true that some OEM parts are equal or can have a longer lifetime than the original but make sure and read reviews before purchasing. Research is everything when buying these OEM parts. Some can also be very faulty as i had bought some OEM parts for my VW Bora and it shattered before a week of installation. Also please buy from a reputable seller that might give warranty on the parts

 

[nirtime]

Thank you admin for clearing this up because some people think that there is no difference between OEM and Original. It is true that some OEM parts are equal or can have a longer lifetime than the original but make sure and read reviews before purchasing. Research is everything when buying these OEM parts. Some can also be very faulty as i had bought some OEM parts for my VW Bora and it shattered before a week of installation. Also please buy from a reputable seller that might give warranty on the parts

For Japanese cars like Nissan and Toyota the replacement parts work just fine.
Its true though, sometimes the oem part falls short by design and the aftermarket recognizes this and makes parts which rectify the issues.

 

[BrotherHood]

Manufacturers hit you that line so that you come back to them to buy overpriced 'OEM' parts, when same can be bought outside of the firm for much less.

 

[LadyDeath]

Can anyone name some good reliable websites to order these OEM Parts?

 

[sonygoup]

In Trinidad any Chinese's part the calling OEM But OEM and third party part is the same to me with our Mitsubishi, they both work good!

 

[BrotherHood]

Agreed. With my Mitsubishi, they cheaper aftermarket parts work just as good.

 

[admin]

This does not apply to Mazda 3s bought a few after market parts and everone failed, seems like only the original OEM works with Mazda's

 

[Steven Ramadar]

This is why I love Nissan, aftermarket parts rule the market.

 

[nirtime]

This is why I love Nissan, aftermarket parts rule the market.

I was just about to say this. Aftermarket parts work very well on Nissans and even Toyotas and usually are much cheaper in price than original parts.

 

[Steven Ramadar]

And they are better than stock as far as I see

 

[Mad racer]

As a mechanic i experienced many thing from the last 8 years.I used different parts of different quality in the vehicle and see the results and now i am able to took good parts for the reliability of car.