How Important Are OEM Parts?

These days, you never know what people will do to cut corners and save money. As it relates to the automotive industry, one of the most frightening aspects of owning a car is picking a trustworthy service provider when it’s time to work on your vehicle. Whether it’s an inspection, routine maintenance, or repairs, you need to know that you’re taking your car to a provider who will get the job done right. A service center that dedicates itself to doing the best possible work and using the best possible parts. When it’s time to have your vehicle worked on, you need to know you’re taking it to someone who will use parts and equipment issued by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

If you’re looking for Toyota Service in Naperville, Il, or the surrounding area, you should trust in the team at Romeoville Toyota. Here at Romeoville Toyota, we can handle everything from routine maintenance to large repairs, and we only use genuine OEM parts. Why? Because OEM parts are going to work best for your Toyota since they are made to fit your model and not just any number of vehicles.

What Does OEM Mean?

If you’ve never heard the term OEM, it stands for original equipment manufacturer. It may not be obvious to those of us who don’t work on cars, but OEMs play a significant role in quality control when our vehicles need repair. Once you understand the difference between OEM and aftermarket, you can confidently determine which would better suit each situation.

At the core of it, OEM parts are made by the company that built your vehicle and are designed to perfectly fit your vehicle. So if you own a Toyota, then only OEM parts from Toyota are going to be a perfect match. These parts are made for each model and trim that Toyota sells in Toyota-owned and approved factories. Purchasing OEM means you are purchasing the reassurance that you are getting a part with a level of quality that matches the rest of your vehicle.

OEM vs Aftermarket?

When we invest in a vehicle, especially in the long term, it’s inevitable that our beloved car will eventually need repairs and replacement parts. Even a new vehicle receives replacement parts from time to time, like a new filter when you go in for a simple oil change. Whether it’s normal wear and tear or damage from an accident, replacing parts of our vehicles involves the decision of where to source replacement materials. When you understand the differences between OEM and aftermarket, you might choose who repairs your vehicle differently.

As we explained above, OEM parts are manufactured by the same company that made the original parts used to assemble your vehicle when it was brand new. Because of this, OEM parts are designed to fit the exact specifications of your model and trim perfectly. OEM parts tend to be more expensive than aftermarket parts. However, with OEM parts, you know your vehicle parts are being replaced with an exact replica of the same quality. When you bring your vehicle to Romeoville Toyota for service, we will use OEM parts to fix it. Even though this route is more expensive, it delivers the confidence of knowing your new parts will function the same as the original part that’s been replaced and work cohesively with the other parts in your car.

When you hear the term “aftermarket” as it relates to auto repairs, this means a part coming from any company other than the one who built the original part. Companies that produce aftermarket parts can generally make them at a lesser cost since they can make more volume, but that often comes with a decrease in quality as well. If you can think of your local, big box auto parts store, they are a good example of who sells aftermarket materials. Usually, these parts are designed to work in a variety of different models, and while they can get the job done, they might not be as effective, last as long, or can cause damage in some cases. The upside to aftermarket parts is that they are cheaper, but paying a lower price now may mean higher costs down the line if you aren’t careful about what parts you buy and use.

As we have said already, we use OEM parts for any repairs we do in the shop, but what about if you like to do the work yourself? Well, you can easily order parts here on our website or stop by our service center to see if we have what you need in stock. If we don’t, we can easily order it for you. When it comes in, we will be happy to pass them along so you can get to work on your DIY repairs. However, if you decide you don’t want to install it yourself after all, our technicians are always happy to take care of it for you.

How Do You Know You Are Getting OEM Parts for Your Repairs?

The place that you take your vehicle for service often makes the determination of where they will source your replacement parts. In the case of damage from an accident, sometimes even our insurance provider gets involved in the decision-making. Certain auto repair businesses lean towards buying thrifty parts. Whether they do this to save you money or save themselves money, you’ll have to research the business to make an educated determination. Some repair shops use recycled parts or source parts from junkyards. Other times, an independent repair shop is perfectly capable of ordering an OEM part, but it might take them longer to receive the delivery. That means it might delay how fast you get your car back.

If you want to know for certain you are getting repairs done using OEM parts, then you want to bring your car to our service center. We have many OEM parts on hand, so we won’t need to spend time ordering them. For standard repairs, this will mean you get your vehicle back faster. Also, the technicians at our dealership are used to working with OEM parts and with Toyota vehicles, and this helps speed up the timing of getting you back on the road.

You will also want to visit us if you have a warranty that covers vehicle repairs for your Toyota. Warranty coverages often require the use of official replacement parts. It’s important to understand the parameters of your warranties because sometimes they have clauses that call for only using OEM parts. If you replace something with an aftermarket part, you might inadvertently void your coverage.

So, Are OEM Parts Important?

To sum it up, OEM parts are important, but they’re not the end all, be all of auto repair, but if you can go with OEM, you probably should. There are plenty of aftermarket parts that get the job done, but aftermarket parts can sometimes be worse quality or fit than OEM, and using them can have consequences, such as voiding your warranty. Each part is different, serving a unique function in your vehicle. The key is to keep an open mind and always consult a trusted technician.

Owning a vehicle can be costly, so it’s easy to understand why some people opt for repairs away from the dealership, using more affordable aftermarket parts. However, if you want total peace of mind and assurance that your replacement parts will fit and function perfectly, then OEM parts are the way to go. At Romeoville Toyota, we value your vehicle, which is why we are dedicated to only using OEM parts. When you want the best possible parts for your vehicle, you need to stick with OEM, and you can do that by visiting the Romeoville Toyota service center.