What spare European car parts should you be using in your workshop for vehicle repairs? Should you go with OEM or aftermarket parts? What about using a recycled parts?

If you don’t grasp the difference between OEM and aftermarket car parts, it’s hard to decide what to buy or recommend to your customer.

OEM Car Parts
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), to put simply, are a company that provide systems and components that are used in another company’s end product. An example might be Bosch fuel injectors that are used in Audi cars. The original equipment manufacturer parts are sold to the automotive manufacturer, which assemble them into the car. While available through manufacturers directly, they’re now also available through retail stores such as ASV Euro Car Parts. In fact, ASV have one of the largest ranges of OEM parts for European cars in Australia.

Aftermarket Car Parts
Aftermarket car parts are any parts that aren’t sourced from the car’s original maker. They are commonly used to replace damaged parts in vehicles. Examples include steering, lighting, airbags, and so on.

Aftermarket car parts are brand new, so they shouldn’t be confused with used or recycled parts. You can rely on aftermarket parts to work well in your vehicle and they will function the same and, sometimes, even better than the original.

Recycled Car Parts
As the name suggests, these parts have been recycled and usually reconditioned so they can be safely repurposed in a different vehicle from the one they were originally assembled in. When an end of life vehicle (ELV) is dismantled, many of the parts will still be intact and perfect working condition. They have been unaffected by whatever it is that left the original vehicle unsalvageable. When purchasing recycled parts from a reputable Auto Recycler, you can also request an extended warranty of up to 24 months for peace of mind.

Recycled car parts are often a cost effective and quicker way to repair a vehicle. By using the original manufacturer parts or OEM parts, your customer can confidently know that they are getting a perfectly fit part for their car.

So what should you be using?
This will come down to your customers situation and their car’s make and model. If you have a new vehicle with warranty coverage or a leased car, you should choose OEM parts. It might come down to availability as well. In recent times, Covid has put a delay on availability of some parts. It might be best to speak with your customer and potentially their insurance company to weigh up all the options and present the options. Keeping your customer in the loop and giving them alternatives is a guaranteed way to keep them happy with your customer service.