Fixing Your Wrecked Car - Choosing Between Aftermarket And OEM Parts
By Mike Long
Sooner or later it happens to almost everyone…you ve been involved in a car accident.
After information has been exchanged and everyone is back home, it s time to start thinking about getting your vehicle repaired. When you do, most auto repair shops will give you a choice as to whether you want to use OEM or aftermarket parts to restore your car back to its original condition.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. These are basically the exact same parts that your car came with. Keep in mind though, that many auto makers have outside companies manufacture parts for them, so they may not be actual Ford or Chevrolet parts, for example, but they will be of the exact quality that originally came with your car.
Aftermarket parts are supplied by third party manufacturers. These parts are designed to the same specifications as the OEM parts. For various reasons, they are often cheaper to purchase, and therefore, most auto body shops will recommend using aftermarket parts to repair your vehicle.