By: Jaime Bradley, Outside Parts Sales Representative
Commercial truck owners, operators, and fleet managers frequently face a recurring question when seeking parts for vehicle repairs. Do they go with less expensive aftermarket parts, or spend more to get the quality, reliability, and warranty found with an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, parts?
Cost is undeniably the driver when selecting parts; buyers of some aftermarket parts can save up to half the price over OEM parts. As other costs, like fuel, insurance, even tolls, have risen, aftermarket parts have become an attractive alternative.
But should cost alone drive the decision?
Part selection often depends on the use, conditions, and needs of the vehicle and operators. Most aftermarket parts meet manufacturer specifications and perform well.
However, OEM parts bring benefits aftermarket parts may not. Parts from manufacturers like Navistar, Fleetrite, Accuride, Bendix, and others can have less potential of failure and come with a warranty conveniently backed by the local dealer or service center. Whereas aftermarket warranties may be pushed off to the retailer who sold the part – not a convenient option to pursue a refund or replacement, especially if your truck is stuck on the road or in the shop.
Consider the following when deciding whether to go with OEM or aftermarket parts.
- Is the part mission critical? Some aftermarket parts, such as brake pads, wiper blades, and mud flaps, may be suitable. They might wear more quickly. But their eventual failure likely won’t create an emergency situation. It’s best to plan ahead by seeking out parts that will last longer and will be less likely to leave you stranded.
- Accessibility. If you’re accustomed to working with a dealer’s service department, aftermarket OEM parts might be easier to source than aftermarket. However, if you suffer a breakdown on the road, you might be forced to go with whatever parts the closest shop or independent repair center can access
- Durability, reliability, and longevity. Some aftermarket lines, such as the Fleetrite brand, enjoy the same quality control and warranty as OEM parts. However, in most cases, OEM parts provide a product function and quality guarantee against defectiveness and failure that aftermarket parts cannot. What’s more, if you plan to own and drive your vehicle for the foreseeable future, this reliability can bring peace of mind that your vehicle is equipped with reliable parts.
- Warranty coverage. Imagine having a recently replaced, aftermarket turbo, fuel pump, or other part fail. If it was installed by an independent shop, that three-, six- or nine-month warranty may leave you stranded – and paying for a replacement earlier than you expected. The manufacturer warranty on OEM parts often is longer than that offered by aftermarket parts, and will be honored by the manufacturer-backed service provider.
- Supporting the original warranty. Use of some aftermarket parts can void the vehicle’s original or extended warranty, where OEM parts can help protect and support the vehicle’s original warranty and even safety features. Providers may not offer extended warranties on functions that include aftermarket parts. The use of OEM parts can also simplify the warranty claims process, helping ease the burden on the customer.
- Technical support. OEM’s often support you long after the sale through customer assistance and resources. Service technicians receive more training with OEM parts and tend to be more familiar with the OEM than an aftermarket part, meaning greater knowledge of and confidence in the part and its history, removal, replacement, or potential issues.
At Ascendance Truck Centers, we sell all makes of OEM and aftermarket parts. With 17,000+ SKUs and more than $11 million in parts on the shelf at any time, our parts department fills customer orders 98% of the time. What we don’t have in stock, we can source easily from one of our 200 parts suppliers.
Want to learn more about parts options for your commercial truck? Contact your local Ascendance Part Sales Representative today and view our online inventory by visiting www.repairlinkshop.com.
About The Author
Jaime Bradley is an Outside Parts Sales Representative with Ascendance Truck Centers based in the Harrisburg, PA branch. Jaime has been with Ascendance, formerly Five Star International, for more than 15 years. As an Outside Parts Sales Representative, Jaime works closely with customers to help select the right parts for their vehicles. Have questions? Reach him at Jaime.Bradley@AscendanceTrucks.com.
