Of the course of its lifetime, your car will eventually need a couple of replacement parts. When this happens, you have to choose between two types of parts: original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket parts. One of these is made specifically for your Honda vehicle’s make and model, while the other is meant to fit into a broad range of cars, trucks, or SUVs.
Let’s look at the differences between OEM and aftermarket parts to find out which one will work best inside your Honda.
OEM vs. Aftermarket Parts: What’s the Difference?
OEM Parts
OEM parts are made to fit your car, truck, or SUV’s specific make and model, and they come from your vehicle’s original manufacturer. If you have a Honda vehicle, then its OEM parts will be made by Honda. When you order OEM parts through a Honda dealer (like us), you’ll get parts that are made for your car’s model, and often its exact model year. Because they’re made by your vehicle’s manufacturer, their quality is considered far more reliable and long-lasting.
Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket car parts are vehicle parts that are made by third-party companies. These parts are made to fit a broad range of vehicles, but still do the same job as OEM parts do. Because of this, they are also called “alternative parts.” Aftermarket parts are often less expensive than OEM parts, and they may be more widely available than OEM parts, too. However, while they’re less expensive and easier to find, aftermarket parts don’t have any kind of guarantee of quality the way OEM parts do. Because of that, putting aftermarket parts in your car can be a risk because you don’t know how long these parts will last in your vehicle.
Which Type of Car Parts are Best for Your Honda?
While aftermarket parts will (usually) get the job done, it’s best to put OEM Honda parts in your Honda car, truck, or SUV whenever you can. Why? Because of the reasons we already stated above: they’re made by Honda for your vehicle’s exact make and model. Therefore, OEM replacement parts are guaranteed to fit inside your Honda just as well as the original parts did. Since aftermarket parts are made for a wide range of vehicles, there’s no guarantee that they will fit well into your vehicle’s systems.
OEM parts are also often more long-lasting, so while they may be a slightly bigger up-front investment, they can pay dividends in the long run. Other benefits include preserving your car’s resale value and potential parts warranties.
How Can You Access Honda OEM Parts?
The best way to access Honda OEM parts is to go to a Honda dealership, like our Honda dealership in Joplin. Our parts center supplies and installs many OEM Honda parts, including the following:
- Transmissions
- Brakes and rotors
- Air bags
- Tires
- Spark plugs
- Shocks and struts
- Air conditioning
- Suspension (bushings, belts, etc.)
- Batteries
- Windshield wipers
This is just a sampling of the OEM parts we supply and install. If you don’t see the part you’re looking for on this list, feel free to visit our parts center page and reach out to us online or at 866-913-5534 to find out if we carry and install that part.
But wait, didn’t we say that OEM parts are often more expensive than aftermarket parts? Yes, but don’t worry about that. We offer service specials that help you cover the cost of the parts and make everything more manageable for you.
Find OEM Honda Parts in Joplin, MO
Are you looking for OEM parts for your Honda in Springfield, MO; Pittsburg, KS; or Miami, OK and their surrounding areas? If you are, reach out to us! We’ll order the OEM parts your Honda needs, and our certified technicians will be happy to install them for you.