Car repair is never a welcomed event and the more expensive the part, the worse the experience. When not under warranty, replacing critical auto parts can really rock the financial boat. One way to restore your car or truck to excellence without breaking the bank is to source OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and OE (Original Equipment) used auto parts rather than new parts to repair your vehicle. Shopping by year, make, and model from local auto body shops as well as online used auto parts sellers like LKQ Online will allow you to choose the best used auto part for your circumstances.
Here are seven benefits of using OEM used auto parts you need to consider:
One: Notable cost savings
A major benefit of used OEM car parts is the reduced price. New OEM parts purchased from a dealership are the most expensive replacement parts you can buy. Inspected, high-quality used OEM parts will restore your car or truck for a fraction of that cost while still giving you genuine manufacturer approved parts as opposed to new generic aftermarket replacement parts. Careful shopping will get you a suitable replacement, such as a used engine or transmission, possibly with less miles than on your car.
Two: Fitment and functionality
Genuine OEM used auto parts guarantee perfect fit and functionality. Since it’s the same part that was installed in the newly manufactured vehicle, there’s no concern that it “won’t work right.” The used part will match perfectly the part that came on your vehicle’s make and model when it rolled off the assembly line.
Three: Ease of installation
Mechanics and technicians are great fans of OEM used car parts because the replacement used part is exactly like the one being removed. An OEM used part will not need extra adjustments that are often required with aftermarket parts that aren’t identical and don’t quite fit. This saves your mechanic time and you money. For labor-intensive repairs, techs can be confident the replacement part will fit perfectly and work right at first installation, with less chance of having to start over and do it again.
Four: Protect your car’s value
For some vehicle owners, it’s important to know that every component in their car is an OEM part. For classic cars, genuine OEM and OE parts are critical to its authenticity and value upon resale. Leased cars may require that any repairs be done with OEM new or used parts, or you’ll lose part or all of your security deposit if the vehicle’s value decreases. For collision repairs, if you use other than OEM parts, your car insurance coverage or cost may be impacted by aftermarket body panels that may not fit properly or have appropriate design strength for crash safety.
Five: Best option on discontinued and hard-to-find parts
When cars reach a certain age, it may no longer be financially feasible for the automaker to support stocking new OEM parts for select models. In this case, auto repair can be challenging. Aftermarket auto parts pick up some of the slack with newly manufactured generic parts, but it may not fit the bill for all repair needs. To keep older cars at top performance, OEM used auto parts are the best way to get back to assembly-line excellence. Quality used auto parts, including rebuilt and remanufactured parts, can keep car purists and restorers happy with genuine dealer OEM used parts.
Six: Assurance of quality
The advantage of OEM used parts is that you get original spec parts from the original company that made them for the car manufacture and assembly. When you choose an OEM part, it fits and functions exactly as the part you’re replacing when it was new. It is the same part as originally installed during the manufacturing process and is approved for use in the brand’s vehicles. You can be assured of its performance and quality and not have to worry about assessing the quality of different manufacturer aftermarket parts.
Seven: Used parts guarantee
Any reputable used auto parts dealer will offer a warranty on the parts they sell. Unless you get a used part from an as-is, pick-your-part type salvage yard, you should get a written warranty with your purchase. Warranties can vary greatly, so especially for an expensive used part, make sure you understand the parameters of the warranty, including length or time or mileage cap, conditions and stipulations, and whether labor installation is included in the warranty.
Other types of used auto parts
Under the umbrella of used auto parts, you also find rebuilt, reconditioned, or refurbished parts that have been disassembled and repaired only to the extent necessary to make them work. The individual components that are not replaced have some wear on them, so you end up with a part with differing amounts of wear to its overall components. These restoration processes are not as meticulous as remanufacturing for qualifying the part to manufacturer standards or like-new condition.
Remanufactured (reman) OEM used car parts, however, are completely disassembled, cleaned, and inspected, with each worn component replaced to restore the part to factory specifications, making it as close to new as possible. After reassembly, testing is performed to manufacturer measured specifications and original production standards. Auto dealerships will use reman parts when new parts are not available. They are considerably less expensive than new OEM parts and will maintain an existing warranty. Remanufactured auto parts such as engines and transmissions are more expensive than straight used auto parts, and generally offer a longer warranty.
OEM and OE used auto parts from LKQ Online
Whether for collision repair or replacement car parts under the hood, LKQ Online offers recycled used OEM and OE car parts, as well as remanufactured and new aftermarket automotive and truck parts backed by industry-leading warranties you can trust. With 200 locations nationwide, LKQ Online stocks more clean, high-quality recycled auto parts than any other auto recycler and our online process makes it quick and easy to pass the savings on to you with practical options rather than expensive, new OEM dealer car parts when you’re faced with an auto repair.