Searching for the correct part for your car can be difficult and time consuming. Automotive Industry descriptions such as OE, OEM or Aftermarket only complicate the issue. So let’s break them down to give you a clearer idea of what means what. This way you can make an informed decision when purchasing your replacement auto parts.

What does OE mean?

Genuine, OE or ‘Original Equipment’ refers to the parts that are used by your vehicles manufacturer when they are building a new car in the factory. For example, the air filter that is fitted to your car from the factory would be the OE Air Filter. An OE part is sourced from the factory that originally manufactures that particular part, and is usually supplied in packaging with the brand of the car, for example Toyota. OE parts are generally sold by your local car dealer.

What does OEM mean?

OEM stands for ‘Original Equipment Manufacturer’. This refers to the brand that manufactured the part that goes into your car from the factory, but sourced and sold to you outside of the car dealer network.

PROS

• Greater assurance of quality: The OEM part should work exactly as the one you are replacing. It is what the vehicle was manufactured with and provides a peace of mind in its familiarity and performance.

• Comes with a warranty: Most manufacturers back up their OEM parts with a one-year warranty.

CONS

• More expensive: OEM parts will usually cost more than an aftermarket part. When it comes to bodywork, OEM parts tend to cost up to 60% more!
• Quality may not be superior: You paid the extra money for an OEM part, hoping that it was vastly better than an aftermarket part. But that may not always be the case.

What does Aftermarket mean?

An aftermarket part is any part that is made by someone other than the vehicle manufacturer’s original manufacturer. Aftermarket refers to auto parts that, whilst they may be an ideal fit for your vehicle, are not manufactured in conjunction with the vehicle manufacturer. It is important to know that this does not make them inferior to an OE part.

PROS

Less expensive: Aftermarket parts are usually less expensive than OE and OEM parts. How much you save varies by brand. Shop around to find the best price and to get an idea of how much that part usually costs.
Quality can be equal to or greater than OEM: In many cases, you may end up with a better part than you originally had. The aftermarket companies often reverse-engineer the part, work the weaknesses out, and improve the part.
More variety: There are hundreds of companies that make aftermarket parts. More variety means greater selection and a wider range of prices.
Better availability: You can walk into just about any auto parts store or local mechanic, and they are bound to have an aftermarket part that fits your car or can source it from an aftermarket supplier very easily. This gives you more options on where to buy your parts and take your car for service.
Warranty: Most suppliers support their aftermarket parts with a one-year warranty.

CONS

• Quality varies: The saying "you get what you pay for" rings true here. Some aftermarket parts are inferior because of the use of low-quality materials. Stick with aftermarket brands you're familiar with or are recommended by a mechanic you trust, even if these parts cost a bit more.
• Overwhelming selection: If you're not familiar with aftermarket brands, the selection can be overwhelming.  Even a part as simple as a spark plug can be made by lots of different companies and comes in numerous variations and packaging. Use an easy website like www.sterlingparts.com.au to search for your parts, or consult your local auto parts store for advice if you are unsure.

Should I buy OE, OEM or Aftermarket?

Contrary to popular belief, using aftermarket parts does not void your car's warranty as long as they are direct replacement parts. Many aftermarket parts function just as well as, or often even better than, the OEM version.

The truth is, having your car serviced through an independent mechanic and fitting your car with aftermarket parts that are built to OE specifications will retain your new car warranty. 

Every part sold by Sterling Parts Australia is designed and manufactured to meet or exceed the OE quality standard set by the original manufacturer. In many cases, Sterling Parts Australia owns the tooling to manufacture.  This means that you can be confident that any part that you purchase through Sterling Parts Australia will meet or exceed the quality of the original part that was fitted to your vehicle.

Whatever the part, where ever you are. Sterling Parts……

Related article: https://www.sterlingparts.com.au/blog/How-to-find-Affordable-Auto-Parts-Online-In-Australia