Whether your vehicle has damage from a car accident or just everyday wear and tear, you’ll need to buy replacement parts. You could just rely on repair shops and pay whatever price they charge or you do some shopping yourself. You can easily find affordable replacement parts for your car, truck, van or SUV just by doing a quick online search. At that point, you’ll need to decide if you want to purchase new or used OEM or aftermarket parts.

Choosing the Right Replacement Parts for Your Vehicle

Before you start shopping for replacement parts for your car, you should know your options: Original Equipment Manufacturer parts or aftermarket parts. Both are good options for repairing your vehicle with but which one is the best? Knowing the difference between OEM and aftermarket parts will help you save time and money on repair parts.

What Are OEM Car Parts?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, meaning they were made by the manufacturer not a third party company. Your vehicle left the assembly line with these parts installed. They are standardized to fit your vehicles’ year, make and model. It is possible that the same OEM part fits several different years or models of the same make. Because they are made to exact specifications, they usually are a perfect fit.

What Are Aftermarket Auto Parts?

An aftermarket part is manufactured to look like and function just like an original part except they are made by a third party company. Because they are in competition with OEM suppliers, often they are priced competitively as well. If you are looking for alternative replacement parts that are unique or can be customized, then aftermarket parts may be for you. Just be aware that not using OEM car parts can sometimes void vehicle warranties.

Save Money Buying Quality Used OEM Auto Parts

You may be tempted to save a few bucks by purchasing aftermarket parts but they can be defective or just not fit your make and model as well as the original part from the manufacturer. Aftermarket parts also do not have to follow the same strict performance and quality standards that OEM parts must.

If you want to save money, not void your warranty and get your car back on the road fast, buying used OEM parts from a reputable salvage yard like Gardner Auto Parts can save money and help the environment. Salvaged OEM car parts also include interior parts, accessories, body panels and electronics backed by a 90-Day Warranty.

Buy Pre-Owned OEM Parts From A Trusted Junkyard

At Gardner Auto Parts, we understand that repairing your import or foreign car, truck, van or SUV is costly, especially when buying expensive OEM parts from the dealer. Affordable aftermarket parts often cannot match the same high standards of quality and performance that OEM parts are known for and can void your manufacturer’s warranty.

Our knowledgeable staff can help you find the used OEM parts you need at a fraction of the cost of new without sacrificing quality and reliability. Shop our large inventory of European and Japanese OEM car parts online or visit our Pompano Beach junkyard at 2090 NW 21st Street, just south of Copans Road. For fast, friendly service, give us a call at 954-972-9407.

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