OEM vs Aftermarket Semi-Truck Parts: Which is Right for You?
Whether you’re a fleet manager, truck owner, or owner-operator, you’ve probably been faced with the decision of choosing between Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket parts.
There are multiple things to consider when making that choice. Cost, criticalness of the part, warranty coverage, longevity and technical support can all play a role when making that decision. The Larson Group (TLG) has decades of experience dealing with both. As a company formed by drivers for drivers, we know the trucking industry inside and out. In this article, we’ll share the factors to consider when choosing between OEM or aftermarket parts to help you make the best choice for your business.
Debunking the OEM is Always Better Myth
Aftermarket parts open up a whole new world of possibilities for your fleet that can do everything from improve performance to extend the life of your vehicles. That being said, this doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea to use aftermarket parts either. Choosing OEM or aftermarket parts largely depends on both your vehicle and the specific part/system you need.
The Pros of OEM Parts
The goal of this article is to educate you on the advantages and disadvantages of aftermarket and OEM parts depending on your situation. So, when you are making the decision, you have the right information to make the best decision possible for your business.
Pro #1: Guaranteed Quality
The biggest draw of using OEM truck parts is that you know what you’re getting. These parts have been designed by the same people who made your truck and function just like the part you’re replacing did when it was new. Whenever you buy an OEM part, you can expect it to perform just as well as the original part.
Pro #2: Guaranteed Fit
When selecting a part, it’s always a good idea to make sure it actually fits the truck you need to repair. When you choose the OEM for parts, you’ll know for certain the part your order will fit perfectly in your semi-truck. That’s because OEM parts were designed specifically for your vehicle. This can save time and headaches from accidentally ordering incorrect parts.
Pro #3: Warranties
Many OEM part providers offer warranties to back up the quality of their products. This means that if you order a part and it happens to have a defect, or breaks down much sooner than it should, the OEM will replace it for you free of charge. Having parts backed by warranties can give you peace of mind knowing that if any vehicles in your fleet break down again, you won’t have to worry about expensive maintenance costs.
The Pros of Aftermarket Parts
Just because they’re less expensive, doesn’t mean they aren’t quality. Aftermarket manufacturers have many benefits OEMs don’t.
Pro #1: More Affordable
One of the biggest benefits of aftermarket parts to OEM parts is their lower cost. Managing a fleet can be expensive, and if you can save money but maintain quality performance standards with an aftermarket part, it’s a win-win solution. You do need to do your due diligence when shopping for aftermarket parts as some providers may use cheap materials. But in many cases, you can get parts that are just as good as their OEM counterparts. The part type is also something to consider. You may be more comfortable using aftermarket wiper blades and mud flaps, but want to use OEM for more mission critical parts.
Pro #2: Performance Enhancement
Aftermarket manufacturers have the benefit of hindsight during their design process. They can look at the original part, see where improvements can be made, and manufacture a part that functions even better than the OEM version.
Pro #3: Continued Vehicle Support
The beauty of aftermarket is that it reacts to the demands of the industry as a whole. If there are a ton of semi-truck models from 2018 still on the road, aftermarket dealers will make parts that support those fleets. The result is you can prolong your vehicle’s life way after the OEM planned for it to become obsolete. This means you can get more out of your current fleet.
Pro #4: Instant Availability
Many aftermarket parts are considered “all makes.” This means the part is a general component that is designed to universally fit into your vehicle no matter who manufactured it. The wide availability of aftermarket parts means you’re much more likely to come across a repair shop in the vicinity that stocks the type of part you need. This means you can save time, money, and increase the uptime of your vehicles.
The Cons of Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket parts increase the options you have for repairing and maintaining your fleet. But they also come with a few drawbacks.
Con #1: Quality Assurance
There are many quality aftermarket parts manufacturers. So, when shopping for aftermarket parts, just be sure to do your research and choose manufacturers who are known for their quality parts.
Con #2: It Can be Harder to Find Parts for Your Specific Truck
Unlike OEM parts, aftermarket parts come in many varieties. You can find all makes, and parts that are designed for a specific type of truck. But because there is so much variety to choose from, it can be a bit more difficult to find the specific part you need. As a result, you may need to spend more time shopping for replacement parts, and it can be a bit of a hassle navigating the huge catalog of options.
Get the Semi-Truck Parts You Need at The Larson Group
Whether you need OEM or aftermarket parts, TLG has the parts you need to keep your fleet up and running. In fact, our locations are stocked with $75 million in parts inventory in both OEM and aftermarket varieties so we can get you back on the road faster. We know that every moment of downtime is thousands of dollars in lost revenue, which is why our trained diesel technicians are on standby to get your truck running again. In many cases, we can even complete repairs in a matter of hours.
At TLG, if it isn’t quality, we don’t stock it. That means you only get the best aftermarket parts and the best repair services so that you don’t experience any more unexpected bumps in the road.
We offer 24-hour fleet maintenance services (including bodywork), mobile service units to get you up and running again if you do experience a breakdown, and fast parts delivery to nearby destinations so you can prepare your fleet for the road ahead.
And if the worst comes to pass and you need to take a vehicle out of commission for a while, we offer affordable truck leasing and rental to fill the gap in your fleet so you don’t need to let downtime keep you down.
Contact one of our maintenance experts today to ask about replacement parts and vehicle maintenance. Or browse our Online Parts Counter to order parts yourself.