This is the third article in our three-part guide on OEM versus aftermarket parts. In the first installment, we established the basic terms. Then, in the second article, we covered the important topics of quality, selection, and brand. Hopefully, those two articles along with your own research has given you the necessary background to begin your search for a desired part. In this, the third article in the series, we’ll answer key questions about buying OEM and aftermarket parts online.
Since you’re reading the eBay Motors blog, you probably know that eBay Motors is the world’s biggest automotive marketplace. We have an amazingly wide selection of both types of parts—both new and used. The availability of OEM and aftermarket items on eBay dispels a myth that you have to go to a dealership to buy an OEM item.
The Widest Selection
In fact, it’s the wide variety of every imaginable part or accessory on eBay Motors that makes it such a great resource. It all starts with a search on the eBay Motors homepage. Look for the “Find a part or accessory” box, and use the dropdown to identify the year, make, and model of your vehicle. Then type the relevant keywords into the open text field.
You can also use jump to the main eBay Motors parts and accessories page, and use the navigation menu to narrow down your results by condition, location, warranty, brand, and price range.
Of course, many people go to a dealership to buy their car parts, but this reduces your selection and your ability to cross-shop for quality and price. Other owners might request OEM parts from a local mechanic, but it may take longer and cost more than ordering them yourself and shipping them directly to your location.
That’s about it, except for these three final questions to beginning your search on eBay Motors.
Does the seller matter?
Absolutely. Before purchasing any aftermarket part and accessory on eBay, take the time to get to know your seller. All sellers have built up a sales history with customer feedback. First, look to see if a seller has earned a “Top Seller Plus” badge on the top right of a product page. That badge means the seller has high buyer ratings, does money-back returns, and ships in a single business day with tracking. To get even more info, click on the seller name in the listing. Knowing that previous customers had a great experience should put your mind at ease—and give you the confidence to buy any type of product.
Which kind of parts are under warranty?
Most automakers back up OEM parts with a one-year warranty. In terms of aftermarket parts, it depends on the manufacturer and the seller. In some cases, aftermarket parts are sold without a warranty—which could be a red flag if others have been disappointed by the quality.
Does it matter if your car is still under warranty?
It might. It’s extremely unlikely that an OEM replacement part—directly replacing the original part—will affect new car warranty. However, if you go with an aftermarket part and it fails because of a compatibility or quality issue, it might lead to problems when trying to get a dealer to repair any resulting malfunctions under the terms of your warranty. This might be the case even when the aftermarket part itself has a one-year warranty. Of course, once your car is out of warranty, this is no longer an issue. On a related note, some insurance companies prefer that repairs are done with less expensive aftermarket products—while other insurance are required by law in certain states to have repairs done with OEM products.
There you have it: all the basic info you need to decide between an OEM or aftermarket car part or accessory—and to have a great online shopping experience.
