OEM Parts vs. Aftermarket Parts for Your Corvette: The Truth Revealed

OEM Parts vs. Aftermarket Parts for Your Corvette: The Truth Revealed

It's a question that plagues every automobile owner but it's especially relevant to those who own high performance vehicles. Should you choose OEM or aftermarket parts when upgrading or repairing your car? Here's the truth.

Keyword(s): aftermarket parts

In 2017, 32,782 Corvettes were produced by Chevrolet, and over 25,000 of those were sold in the USA.

Needless to say, there are a lot of Corvettes driving around the streets of America. But how many of those are still driving around with their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts?

Whether you're buying your first Corvette and want to know how to take care of it properly or you're a current Corvette owner who wants to know more about caring for your vehicle, you should know the ins and outs of the aftermarket parts versus OEM parts debate.

We'll take a look at the pros and cons of both, as well as the other items you need to consider when replacing or repairing your parts, so keep reading for the truth behind this debate.

What Are Aftermarket Parts?

An aftermarket part is any vehicle part that isn't made by the maker of said vehicle. If GM makes your Corvette, an aftermarket part is any part that isn't made by GM.

For decades, people assumed that aftermarket parts weren’t as good as their OEM equivalents, primarily because aftermarket parts are often less expensive. Though that may have been the case years ago, that idea no longer holds true.

In today’s world, aftermarket parts are made with the same quality as OEM parts, and in fact, are sometimes an even better quality than OEM. (Thanks to reverse engineering, companies can make parts that don't have the same flaws as the original.)

What Are the Benefits of Aftermarket Parts?

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of all the benefits that aftermarket options offer.

Warranty

Contrary to popular belief, replacing original parts with aftermarket parts does not void your car's warranty. In fact, the only way a dealer can void the warranty due to aftermarket part use is if they can prove that a particular aftermarket part caused the need for repair.

This means that you can enjoy all the other advantages of aftermarket parts without worrying about your warranty.

Cost

Aftermarket parts are almost always less expensive than OEM parts. (OEM parts can cost upwards of 60% more than an aftermarket part.) So as a result, buying aftermarket parts keeps a lot more money in your pocket.

Prices will vary from brand to brand, but it's important to note that if the price is too good to be true, you may be buying an inferior product. Shop around and speak to your mechanic about the best brands and options.

Labor is also often less expensive than when using OEM parts, because for OEM installation, you’re often using the dealership for repairs (and they charge more to cover their overhead).

Quality

Decades ago, aftermarket parts used to offer poorer quality than OEM parts. That is NO LONGER THE CASE. 

Aftermarket parts now offer the same quality (or better), because companies now have the ability to reverse engineer car parts. AKA: They identify the weaknesses in the original and improve their functionality.

With aftermarket parts, you can build your perfect Corvette with the most popular modifications according to your needs, desires AND budget, and not rely solely on what the OEM has to offer.

Variety

The number of companies manufacturing aftermarket parts is countless. With all those companies making parts, you can choose from a wider variety of parts and options.

That also means you have a wider range of prices to suit your budget.

Availability

If you're buying aftermarket parts, you don't have to go directly to the dealer every time you need a repair or replacement. There are tons of mechanics and auto parts stores that carry what you're looking for — and in a wide variety.

Availability for Older Cars

Not everyone who owns a Corvette owns a new Corvette. And, although many Corvette owners are partial to older/vintage models, it's possible that GM will stop (or has stopped) supporting your Corvette model. 

This situation makes it really difficult to obtain the right OEM parts, and aftermarket parts are the solution to this problem.

Quicker To Obtain

Aftermarket parts decrease the amount of time you may have to wait for a part to come in or the time it takes to travel to a dealership. Aftermarket parts are readily available and carried by auto parts stores, mechanics and even big-box retailer.

Certification

A lot of aftermarket companies obtain a certification that gives you peace of mind in regard to their quality. Certifications by the National Sanitation Foundation or Certified Automotive Parts Association tell you that those parts are high-quality parts.

Avoid the Dealership

Buying aftermarket parts means you don't have to go into the dealership to have your parts replaced or repaired. Dealerships may be difficult to get to and their labor tends to cost more.

Balance in the Market

By purchasing aftermarket parts, you support the industry. Without people purchasing aftermarket parts, OEM parts have a monopoly on car parts.

A stronger monopoly on the market takes choice away from the consumer on where they can go for repairs and how much they pay for their service. Making sure there is healthy competition keeps pricing balanced.

What Are the Disadvantages of Aftermarket Parts?

Below are some of the disadvantages of aftermarket parts explained in detail.

Quality Varies

Although many aftermarket parts are the same as, or better than, their OEM counterpart, some are lower quality. If a brand doesn't use the best materials, the parts don't function as well or last as long.

The solution? Do your research before you buy! Speak with your mechanic and look at brand reviews. If the price is too good to be true, it usually is.

Paying a bit more for a higher-quality aftermarket part ensures you're getting a quality part. (Plus, the price will still be less than the OEM part.)

Too Much Selection

There is such a thing as too many options. With aftermarket, there are dozens (sometimes hundreds) of companies making the same part, meaning your selection can be endless and overwhelming.

Again, talk to your mechanic and do your research to find out what part is best for you and your budget.

Warranty

Some aftermarket parts are sold without a warranty. Make sure you look into this when purchasing.

What Are OEM Parts?

An OEM part is any part of your vehicle that is made by the manufacturer of that vehicle. These are the same parts that your car came with when it came out of the factory.

What Are the Benefits of OEM parts?

Buying an OEM part has its own benefits. Read more about these below.

Easy Selection

There's no comparison shopping when it comes to OEM parts. You don't have to compare prices or brands, because there is only one manufacturer to choose from (and they provide limited variations on the part). This saves you time and research.

Quality

An OEM part is the exact same thing as the part you're replacing. There will be no variance in quality from the part you currently have to the one you're buying to consider.

Warranty

OEM parts typically come with a one-year warranty so you know you're covered if anything should happen to the part in that time frame.

Safety

It may be important that the part you're replacing functions in tandem with the rest of your car's system. 

Manufacturers use crash tests to determine that all the parts of your vehicle work together to keep you safe. Ultimately, there's no way to know how an aftermarket part will function with your vehicle as a whole, unless you speak with someone who has been in your specific situation.

What Are the Disadvantages of OEM Parts?

OEM parts have cons that you should consider when deciding which part is best for you.

More Expensive

Although Corvettes are affordable in comparison to other sports cars, their OEM parts are still going to cost you quite a bit more than their aftermarket counterparts.

Even having the OEM part repaired at the dealership costs more money because dealers charge more for their labor and overhead.

Going to the Dealership

Sure, you can buy your OEM parts on eBay or through online wholesalers, but most people go directly to the dealer to buy their parts. This means driving to a dealership regardless of distance.

If you don't go to the dealership then be prepared to wait for your part. You can ask your local mechanic to order an OEM part for you, but it's going to take a lot longer for your repairs while you wait for that part to come in.

No Guarantee on Better Quality

Because of reverse engineering, some aftermarket parts are actually better than the OEM part. In the cases that an aftermarket alternative is superior to the OEM part, you're paying more money for an inferior product just for the name.

So Which is Better?

These days, aftermarket parts offer just as many advantages as OEM parts - if not more. 

Of course, it's up to you to decide what part is right for you and your Corvette. But it's important to get rid of the idea that less expensive means lower quality, because that's NO LONGER TRUE.

For more information on the quality products that we offer Corvette owners, contact us today.