There can be many instances that you may want or need to buy new auto parts for your car or SUV. To help you decide, we have asked our automotive parts and service team a few frequently asked questions. This is what they said.

OEM auto parts are the “Original Equipment Manufacturer” parts. They are created for specific car or SUV models by the manufacturer. These are the exactly-matching parts that your vehicle has. They come with a limited warranty. Auto Dealers use your VIN Number to source the perfect part for your car or SUV.
These branded manufacturer items insure optimal quality and performance.
These automobiles parts always come with a manufacturer limited warranty.
These auto parts can cost more than comparable aftermarket parts.
Parts Centers usually order certain OEM parts from the manufacturer. This can take a few days if it is not already in stock.
An aftermarket part is any part for a car, SUV, or van that is not provided directly from the vehicle’s maker, or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). These auto parts may be less-expensive options for the repair of your vehicle and advancements. Online retailers and independent, local shops may (though not necessarily) offer a wide variety of aftermarket car parts. These auto parts are made to function similarly to the OEM versions. However, aftermarket auto parts have their own pros and cons.
Low prices can suggest a lower quality
These parts are not warrantied
These automobile parts are less costly than the manufacturer parts
Most car-repair shops have these parts readily available
While most basic automotive part costs range between $150 to $500, some part repairs can break your typical budget.
Always purchase OEM Manufacturer parts when it comes to collision repair. non-OEM auto parts may not fit securely when your car has damaged body panels after a crash. Plus, an aftermarket part installation may void your lease vehicle warranty. As Such, always use manufacturer parts for all types of vehicle repairs if you have a leased car.
A comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t cover every single part. However, car buyers, can typically choose something like a factory warranty, an extended warranty, or bumper-to-bumper for the most comprehensive coverage. Even with an extended warranty, all of your car’s parts may not be covered. Check out our coverage overview list below to learn more.
Craigslist is not an auto retailer; but on this online platform, third-party vendors sell automotive parts. For this reason, the quality cannot be guaranteed. If you are buying car parts from this source, make sure to research, verify, and compare before the purchase.
Undoubtedly, Amazon is a reputable online marketplace that provides shoppers with an easy and convenient place to purchase quality car parts. While most auto parts sold by Amazon are from reliable sources, it can be a challenge to know if you’re getting the right item for your car since you are not dealing directly with an auto service center.
Yes. The dealership is one of the best places to order car and SUV parts. Most car dealerships only sell standard OEM parts. Best of all, they can use your vehicle identification number to identify the correct part for your vehicle.
You can always bring your own parts to a auto dealership. However, the car dealership will not be able to issue warranty on the purchased part, nor will they be able to guarantee its performance. It is highly recommended to get your vehicle checked by an experienced service center at a local car dealer before buying any parts for installation. The factory-trained technician will also diagnose the problem and acquire an appropriate replacement part, if needed.
Bring your aftermarket car part to a local dealer for installation. Before installation, a service technician at the service center will check the aftermarket car or SUV part to verify if it is a match for your car. Even if they install the aftermarket part, however, the car dealership can only issue warranty on the labor.
Car Parts – FAQ