OEM vs Aftermarket Parts: Which Is Better for Your Car?
Which is better, OEM or aftermarket parts?
Neither type is always better. OEM parts come from the company that made your vehicle, and aftermarket parts come from another company. In the U.S., your warranty stays in effect if you use aftermarket parts. A study ordered by an aftermarket-parts group found that, for 100 U.S. crash parts priced from 2009 to 2014, aftermarket parts cost 27% less than OEM on average.
Sources for this guide, as of 2026
This guide uses warranty guidance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Québec's Office de la protection du consommateur and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; the aftermarket-parts standards of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) for repair facilities; the After Market Parts Model Regulation (2000) of the U.S. National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC); crash-part guidance from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS, 2018); a 2010 Michigan State Police brake pad evaluation published by the U.S. National Institute of Justice; the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA); and a 2015 R Street Institute report on a Quality Parts Coalition price study. Test results and the price study apply to the parts and years tested.
What OEM means, and what a recycled part is
OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. Next to OEM and aftermarket parts, there is a third type: the recycled part. A recycled part was made for and installed in a new vehicle, then removed and made available for resale or reuse. U.S. warranty rules treat recycled parts the same way as aftermarket parts.
Are aftermarket parts as good as OEM parts?
Some are. The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), a certification body for collision parts, states that the quality of aftermarket parts can vary widely. It tests samples of each certified part for material properties, fit, finish, paint adhesion, coating performance, weld integrity, adhesive performance and corrosion. If a part has no seal, it is not CAPA certified, whatever the seller says. For a part without a seal, ask what test or standard it meets.
OEM or aftermarket brake pads: what to do
Are aftermarket body parts as good as OEM?
Aftermarket body parts fall into two groups: cosmetic and structural. Fenders, quarter panels, door skins, bumper covers and trim do not protect the occupants in a crash. Structural replacement parts must exactly replicate the original parts to keep the vehicle's crash protection, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that some aftermarket structural parts can meet these requirements. Ask which group each part on a collision estimate belongs to, and see how cosmetic damage differs from frame damage.
How much cheaper on your repair? A worked example
- To find the saving on your own repair, get an OEM quote and an aftermarket quote for the same repair, with the same labour in both.
- Example values (replace them with your own quotes). Canadian case: the OEM part costs CAD 400 and the aftermarket part costs CAD 300. U.S. case: the OEM part costs USD 250 and the aftermarket part costs USD 200.
- Canadian case: CAD 400 − CAD 300 = CAD 100 saved. CAD 100 ÷ CAD 400 = 0.25, so the aftermarket part costs 25% less.
- U.S. case: USD 250 − USD 200 = USD 50 saved. USD 50 ÷ USD 250 = 0.20, so the aftermarket part costs 20% less.
- Your own numbers: saving = OEM price − aftermarket price. Percent saved = saving ÷ OEM price × 100. Then compare the part warranty that comes with each quote.
U.S. warranty rules for aftermarket and recycled parts
Under U.S. Federal Trade Commission guidance, the manufacturer or dealer must prove that an aftermarket or recycled part caused the damage before it can deny warranty coverage. If it proves that, it can deny coverage for the damaged part and charge you for the repairs. For routine service away from the dealer, see warranty work at an independent shop.
Insurance repairs with aftermarket parts in British Columbia and the U.S.
| Rule | British Columbia (ICBC claims) | U.S. (2000 model regulation for state insurance regulators) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Repair facilities that use aftermarket parts on ICBC claims must meet ICBC's standards of performance | Insurers in states that follow the model, for exterior sheet-metal and plastic parts, including inner and outer panels |
| Quality standard | Bumper systems and structural parts: certified by CAPA or the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). Body parts: similar kind and quality | An insurer may not require aftermarket parts unless they are at least equal to the original in fit, quality and performance |
| If a part falls short | The repair facility and the parts supplier take all responsibility for the part and the work | Ask your state insurance department how to complain |
How to choose between OEM and aftermarket parts, step by step
- 1Check what your warranty pays for
If the car is under warranty, read which repairs and parts the warranty pays for before you pick a part type.
- 2Mark the safety parts on the estimate
Note the brake parts and the structural body parts, and ask your quality questions about those parts first.
- 3Get the part warranty in writing
CAPA does not warrant parts; the part warranty is between the buyer and the seller. Ask who gives it, how long it lasts and whether it pays for labour.
- 4Check the invoice against the estimate
When the work is done, check that each part on the invoice is the same type that you approved on the estimate.
Related repair guides
- Do You Have to Use the Insurance Company's Preferred Body Shop?
Your choices after a collision claim, before parts are ordered.
- Should You Ask to See Your Old Car Parts After a Repair?
How to confirm that a part on the invoice was really replaced.
What matters when you choose OEM or aftermarket
- Look for proof of quality, not a label: a CAPA seal on collision parts, the FMVSS No. 135 result for brake pads.
- Trim and bumper covers do not protect you in a crash; structural parts must match the original.
- Under a U.S. warranty, the maker carries the burden of proof for damage blamed on an aftermarket part.
- Ask a licensed repair shop for a written estimate that names the type of each part: OEM, aftermarket or recycled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the dealer make me use its own parts for a warranty repair in the U.S.?
In the U.S., if the warranty says you will get parts for free, the dealer or manufacturer can require you to use the parts it chooses. Ask the service advisor to show you the parts clause in your warranty booklet before the work starts.
Do aftermarket parts void the warranty in Canada?
It depends on the warranty. In Québec, the Office de la protection du consommateur states that the garage of your choice can maintain your new car. The manufacturer can require a named brand of product in only three cases: the service is free, it can prove the car cannot work normally without that product, or the extended warranty requires it. In other provinces, ask the dealer if any warranty condition is tied to the use of a product.
Do U.S. insurers have to tell me they used aftermarket parts?
Insurers that follow the 2000 model regulation for U.S. state insurance regulators must clearly identify every aftermarket part installed on the vehicle on the repair estimate. If your estimate does not say which parts are aftermarket, ask the insurer before you approve the repair.
What records should I keep if I use aftermarket parts?
Keep records of repairs and maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads and inspections. Keep the receipts with these records, and ask the shop to write the type of each part (OEM, aftermarket or recycled) on the invoice.
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