Are OEM Volkswagen Parts Better Than Aftermarket Parts?

Every so often, cars need repairs and new parts. Or you could decide you want to perform a DIY project on your car, so you order some parts from your dealership. When one or either of those things happens, you and your service center have two choices for what type of replacement parts to use: original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or aftermarket parts. Let’s go over the differences between these two types of parts to determine which one would be better for your Volkswagen.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Parts

What Are OEM Parts?

OEM parts are vehicle parts that are made by your car, truck, or SUV’s original manufacturer. That means that if you drive a Volkswagen, its OEM parts will be made by Volkswagen. These replacement parts should be made for your vehicle’s exact make and model, so they will fit and work well once your mechanic installs them in your car. They’re also held to an exacting quality standard.

What Are Aftermarket Parts?

Aftermarket parts are generic parts that are meant to work in multiple vehicle makes and models. They may be less expensive than OEM parts, but they’re also not made for your specific car, truck, or SUV. Instead, aftermarket parts are made by third-party companies to fit on a variety of vehicles, and they’re sometimes known as “alternative parts.”

What Are the Main Differences Between OEM and Aftermarket Parts?

There are a few differences between these two types of car parts. One that we just mentioned above is price, and that goes hand in hand with availability. Aftermarket parts are less expensive than OEM parts because they’re more widely available and can fit on many different types of vehicles. However, OEM parts are generally higher quality than aftermarket parts because they’re the same parts that are going into new cars from that same manufacturer. For example, OEM Volkswagen parts are the same parts that are going into new VW cars at the factory.

Aftermarket parts are lower quality because they’re not made by those manufacturers, so they’re made to be more generic. They also vary in quality because they’re reverse-engineered by many different third parties, so you never know quite what is going in your car when you put an aftermarket part in there.

Which Parts Should You Put in Your Volkswagen?

It’s best to put OEM parts in your car whenever you can. That way, you’re using the highest-quality parts for your vehicle. They may be more expensive, but you know where they came from and that they were made for the make and model that you own, and they may also last much longer, which can make the higher price tag well worth it.

We do understand that since aftermarket parts are cheaper, they may fit into your budget more easily. If your budget is your top priority, we get that. However, know that you’re taking a risk by putting those alternative parts in your car. They may not last as long as OEM parts would.

Buy Your Volkswagen OEM Parts in Kansas City

If you want to buy OEM VW parts from our parts department or have our service center technicians install them in your Volkswagen, let us know. You can contact us online or at 816-941-9500 for parts or the service center. We’ll help you find the right OEM parts for your Volkswagen and order them for you.

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