Generic or Brand Name Auto Parts: Some Things You Should Know

When it’s time to get your car repaired, fixed or even just maintained, you’ll need to know which to use for your car. Certainly, price is going to play a factor when choosing repairs and parts. If the job is easy enough that you, or a trusted friend, can do it yourself then that is definitely a way which saves money.

You could save even more by using generic Albany auto parts, but how do you know if you can trust them? How do you know if they’re better, the same or worse?                           

By examining how each can benefit or harm your car and/or wallet, you become more informed about what you may want to choose for yourself.

What Are the Differences? 

OEMs

Or original equipment manufacturer, are the parts that come with your car when you buy a new car. They are the parts that the manufacturer put on. So, if you buy a new Chevy, all parts on that vehicle will be made by Chevy and specifically for Chevy. If you go to Chevy dealership to repair your car, they will fix it with OEMs, as that’s their brand.

Also, because they’re part of the vehicle, they’re under warranty so should anything happen while you’re under warranty, those parts will be paid for by the dealership.

Brand Name

Brand name auto parts are just that belong to a name which comes attached to a reputation and a perception of quality. For instance, instead of just being a “screw” it’ll be a “Whitney Screw” or some other brand name. 

With all brand names, what you’re paying for is the name that is put on it as well as the reputation behind that name. Should the brand be highly recognizable and known for its outstanding quality, then you’re paying for that quality of the name and the peace of mind in knowing you are using a quality item.  

Generic Brands

Generic brands are just that item; no brand name. Just a screw. Not Tropicana, just orange juice. Not Oscar Meyer, just bacon. There is no brand name attached to it which means it’s not beholden to any standard of quality. It can be as good or bad as it wants because no name is effected by its quality.

Pros and Cons:

Because there are definitely pros and cons to the use of each of these products, let’s take a look at what they are. Information is king and knowledge is powerful. You must be informed to make the best decisions.  

OEMs

Pro: Being the original equipment that the manufacturer is using, you know you are getting the best in quality for two reasons: Brand name reputation and warranty. Brand reputation means they stand by the quality of their products. They’re not about to let their name be tarnished by putting shoddy parts in their vehicles. If they do, they suffer higher consequences.
Also, when the vehicle is still under warranty, they are guaranteeing the quality of their engineering for duration of said warranty. They do not want to see you in their shop paying for their own parts before that warranty expires. This means they are going to spend the extra money to put better auto parts on your vehicle. OEM’s are going to be top quality parts.  

Con: When at the dealership, your car is going to be receiving OEM parts installed by professional trained and certified technicians. This is going to cost you significantly more than going to a garage down the road who isn’t going to use OEMs. If you go to that mechanic down the road rather than a dealership, they probaby going to quote you a price that won’t reflect the use of OEM’s or even brand name parts. If you prefer brand name auto parts be prepared for a higher cost upon pick up.  

Brand Name

Pro: Like the OEM, when you buy a brand name product you are paying for the name attached and the reputation that comes along with the quality of that specific brand name. The quality is going to be top notch and usually these parts come with optional warranty or guarantee attached, to ensure that quality is met.

Con: Because these parts are top quality, they’re going to be more costly. Brand names are notoriously more expensive than generic parts for all the reasons listed above.

Generic

Pro: The obvious pro here is that generic auto parts cost the least. They are plentiful because they are mass produced and shipped to auto body stores worldwide. There is no special ordering so there is not waiting.

Con: It’s a risk. You don’t know what kind of quality you are going to get. Some people refer to this as, “You get what you pay for.” New standards for automotive industry require regulations are met, but you won’t have the insurance of knowing there is a name, guarantee or reputation to back up a generic auto body part.

Questions & Answers

For a lot of customer’s, price is the determining factor. For other’s it’s quality. Sometimes, quality is the compromise for price. Other times, it’s not. Consider the car you drive. Consider what you require of your vehicle and how much you’re willing to invest into its future and safety. Some FAQ’s below can help sort that out. 

Is your car an old beater or is it a new or even used luxury brand?

If it’s the latter, you’ll want to take into consideration that luxury brand cars often call for the strict use of OEM’s. While that may not be in your budget, perhaps it’s time to reconsider owning a luxury car. Most brands make their luxury cars just a smidge different on size and specs to guarantee sole use of their parts, which is another way to get more money from you, but it’s not like that’s secret. Again, these parts are most of the time, made with a higher standard of quality.

Did you pay a lot for this car and do you need it to last you a long time?

If this car’s sole purpose is a beater to get you to and from work, or away from the city on weekend excursions, then you may not feel the need to invest so heavily into it with the most expensive auto parts available. Or maybe you feel that generic parts are just as good a fit on your old beater. This may very well be the case. If it is, congratulations! You’re saving a lot of money! 

However, most cars that have been built within the last ten or so years have been made under more strict regulations from the government to the auto industry. Therefore, going to junkyards to find cheaper parts may not bode so well for the longevity you require of your vehicle. New parts, regardless of generic or brand name, are more likely to be a better fit on your newer car. 

Are there newer generic parts that can work on newer cars?

Absolutely. Because brand names operate under larger corporations, those corporations usually also own generic manufacturing companies, as well. This isn’t to say that they are all made with the same quality, but it’s to say that it can happen because there are markets for both generic and brand name. The generic is not going to read “Made at Chevy plant” or “Same as bolt on Silverado” so if you choose to know, you must do your research. Even then, it is a risk. 

Lastly, use your resources. Ask your trusted friends and family. Ask your trusted auto technician which part you should use for which job. All information given, you should be able to come up with the best answer for you.