When your Toyota vehicle is in need of repair, you can either take it to your local dealership or an independent auto repair shop. A dealership uses genuine or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts to fix your car, while a third-party repair shop typically works with aftermarket parts. If you want to make the right repair decision, you need to understand the differences between these two kinds of auto parts. Check out this comprehensive guide to determine whether you should get genuine or OEM Toyota parts or aftermarket parts.
What Are Toyota Genuine Or OEM Parts?
Image via Flickr by Tim Evanson
When your vehicle comes out of a Toyota manufacturing facility, all of its components are genuine parts. This doesn’t mean the automaker produces every single part of your car. For example, Toyota may commission a third-party manufacturer to produce the fuel injector for one of its vehicles. The manufacturer will then carry out the production according to Toyota’s design, specifications, and quality standards.
Once it’s finished, the fuel injector will be sold on the market with Toyota’s name and guarantee on it. As such, it’s regarded as a genuine part in the automotive industry. When you purchase this type of part, you’ll see that it comes in a package with Toyota markings.
Many people have the misconception that OEM parts are genuine parts, but this isn’t entirely correct. In the example above, the third party may decide to manufacture the same fuel injector for distribution to auto dealerships instead of producing it exclusively for Toyota. In this case, the fuel injector is considered an OEM Toyota part because it came from the original manufacturer of the same product.
In terms of construction and function, the OEM fuel injector is practically the same as the genuine one, but it isn’t a branded product. It doesn’t carry Toyota’s brand name or qualify for the automaker’s warranty coverage. However, it may have a warranty from the third-party manufacturer.
What Are Aftermarket Parts?
Aftermarket parts refer to auto parts that aren’t sourced from Toyota or the OEM. They serve as more affordable alternatives to genuine and OEM parts. Although they may be significantly cheaper, it doesn’t mean they’re always inferior in quality. Their quality and functionality can vary greatly depending on their manufacturers. It’s important to note that aftermarket parts are generic products, meaning they may not fit your vehicle as perfectly as genuine or OEM parts.
Most aftermarket manufacturers purchase the rights to use the pattern or template of the OEM, which enables them to produce OEM-like parts. Sold as brand new products, aftermarket parts are usually the sheet metal or plastic parts that form the exterior of a vehicle, such as hoods, bumpers, and fenders.
Why You Should Get Genuine Or OEM Toyota Parts
While they’re usually more expensive, genuine or OEM Toyota parts offer many benefits over aftermarket parts. Below is a list of reasons why you should get genuine or OEM parts:
- Quick delivery: If you decide to go to an independent auto repair shop, you have to be prepared to wait quite a while to have your vehicle fixed because it may not be easy to find the specific aftermarket part you need. On the other hand, getting a genuine or OEM component is usually a quick process, especially if your dealership has the part in its inventory. If the part isn’t available, the dealership can order it directly from a Toyota parts center or the OEM with just a phone call or a few clicks of a mouse.
- Easy selection process: When you go to your Toyota dealership to purchase a part, you’ll usually have only one or two options to choose from. There’s no need to worry about the prices and quality of products from different brands, which you often have to do when buying aftermarket parts.
- Greater quality assurance: A genuine or OEM component should work exactly as the original part you’re replacing. It’s identical to the part that your vehicle had when it left the assembly plant, so you can rest assured it’ll deliver the same level of performance. Also, a genuine or OEM part doesn’t change the look or feel of your car, which gives you a sense of familiarity.
- Enhanced safety: It’s especially important to get a genuine or OEM part when you’re fixing collision damage on your vehicle. Some aftermarket parts don’t fit your vehicle perfectly or have proper crumple zones for additional crash safety. As such, they may not provide adequate protection for you and your passengers in the event of an accident.
- Warranty coverage: Generally, all genuine or OEM parts offer some form of warranty coverage as a way to provide quality assurance. The duration of the warranty is usually one year, but it may vary depending on the manufacturer. This means that you can have a genuine or OEM part repaired or replaced at no cost if it fails to work properly while the warranty is still valid. In contrast, aftermarket parts typically don’t come with a warranty. Also, bear in mind that using this type of part may void the manufacturer’s warranty on your vehicle.
- Expert repair services: Another benefit of getting genuine or OEM parts at your local Toyota dealership is that you can be sure your vehicle will be properly fixed. The mechanics at the dealership are specially trained to maintain and repair Toyota vehicles, so they have extensive knowledge and experience in working with genuine or OEM Toyota parts. If you take your car to an independent auto repair shop, you may have to deal with a mechanic who isn’t familiar with installing a specific aftermarket part.
Your Toyota vehicle is one of your most valuable possessions, so it’s worthwhile to invest a little extra money to make sure it’s properly repaired with a genuine or OEM replacement part. If you’re looking for a reputable Toyota dealership around Panama City that has a large inventory of genuine and OEM parts and provides top-notch repair services, feel free to get in touch with the helpful staff at Panama City Toyota.
