It won't be out of place to say that Nissan is one of the best automobiles around. If you have been a Nissan customer for some time now, you would know that this car brand is not only reliable – it also gives you the best value for your money.
If what you have is an old model, you can replace worn parts or modify by upgrading.
Talking about upgrading your car's auto part, make sure that you don't end up buying substandard Nissan auto parts. Not only are these parts low quality, but they also won't last long.
Are you familiar with Nissan OEM parts and aftermarket parts? If not, you’re in luck because today's post is aimed at helping you decide between these two categories of auto parts.
Nissan OEM Parts
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. An OEM auto part is one built by the same manufacturer who produced the part that was used in your vehicle when it rolled out of the factory.
In case you don’t know, automakers do not build all the parts they use in the vehicles that come out of their factories. They depend on various OEMs to build parts for them. This is true for all car brands, including Nissan, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and every carmaker you know.
The Pros of OEM Parts
- They are the exact auto part originally used in your car – not only will the part function like the original, but it is exactly the same shape, material, and design. They were manufactured according to the vehicle’s original design.
- OEM parts pass the same tests and standards set by Nissan – you can expect these parts to measure up to the demands of your Nissan car.
- OEMs come with a reasonable warranty – you’re assured of the same quality as the original part.
Cons of OEM Parts
- OEM car parts are not always available – not all auto parts dealers are authorised to sell OEM Nissan auto parts. For you, this may mean spending hours and even days searching for the exact part you need or waiting for weeks to order and receive it.
- They are expensive – high quality, exclusivity, and absence of competition will necessarily make OEM Nissan auto parts costly.
Nissan Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket parts are universal car parts and accessories that are easily available because they’re not exclusively built. These parts are manufactured by companies other than the automakers or OEMs and may or may not be identical in shape or appearance with the original part. What these aftermarket Nissan car parts promise is that they function like the original.
Pros of Aftermarket Parts
- Aftermarket car parts are affordable – unlike OEM auto parts, aftermarket parts are relatively cheap
- Readily available – since they’re not exclusively produced or sold by a single manufacturer or dealer, they’re easy to find.
Out of 10 auto parts dealers, 8 could be engaged in aftermarket products while the rest are into OEM parts, which explains why it’s more available and affordable.
Cons of Aftermarket Parts
- May not be perfect for your car – it will not be easy to find an aftermarket auto part that perfectly matches your Nissan model.
- Fixing or installing may cost more – should you eventually find one that works for your car, fixing or installing it will cost more especially if it needs customising or improvising.
- No guarantee that it will stand the test of time – not all aftermarket products are substandard, but many are.
Our Conclusion
Having listed the pros and cons of Nissan OEM auto parts and aftermarket car parts, I believe you would agree with me that safety should always be your first consideration.
Not all aftermarket Nissan auto parts are inferior, but if they compromise the car’s functionality and your safety, then you know which one to trust.
Only buy aftermarket auto parts if they are reliable and have high quality. If you can't find aftermarkets that fit that requirement, then you should spend wisely and buy OEM. You don’t need to be an expert, but you can bring the expert to your side and do due diligence to all car parts you buy.