Toyota Motor Corporation is a big name in the automotive industry. The Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA) listed it as the largest manufacturer by the number of vehicles produced in 2017. What's more, in the 2019 Fortune Global 500 list, Toyota ranks as the world’s second-largest automotive company and the tenth-largest company by consolidated revenue.
Founded in 1937, the Japanese company earned its reputation as a market leader in the industry. Toyota has always had high regard for the safety and quality of its automobiles. However, that’s no guarantee that Toyota vehicles would be free of accidents, systems malfunction, and parts failure. If you own a Toyota car, you should anticipate buying replacement Toyota auto parts twice or thrice in your car's lifetime.
When buying Toyota spare parts, various factors play a role in determining which type of spare parts will be best for your car. While some Toyota car owners would prioritise price and affordability, some would choose quality over anything else. Others may want to balance both.
There are different types of spare parts available in the marketplace today, and they can be quite confusing. But fret not. You need not worry about buying cheap parts that won’t last or overspending on quality parts that your car doesn’t require. In this article, you will know about the three most common types of Toyota car parts in the marketplace.
Next time you drive into a garage, you will be in the know when the mechanic asks what to serve you. Here's a comparison of the different types of Toyota auto parts.
Three Types of Car Parts
The common types of auto parts are:
- Genuine parts
- OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers)
- Aftermarket parts
The type of replacement parts your car gets in case of accidents depends on your insurer and the insurance policy. Most insurance companies go for aftermarket parts because getting genuine parts is expensive. The differences between these parts are generally understated. In this article, we will help you distinguish one from the other.
Genuine Toyota Parts
Genuine spare parts, sometimes known as OE (original equipment) are those that were originally fitted to your Toyota car when you bought it new from the dealership. Most car manufacturers don't produce their auto parts, and genuine spare parts may be made by a company other than Toyota. To be sure, check for Toyota markings and branded boxes when buying genuine Toyota car parts.
In terms of fitting and safety, they are the best because they perfectly fit your Toyota model and carry a guarantee. There can’t be a safer option other than genuine parts in the market. Since they are the exact parts that your Toyota car came with, these parts are usually very costly, hence not the most common choice for most Toyota car owners.
If you visit an authorised Toyota dealer for repair or replacement of some of your car components, you will most likely get genuine Toyota auto parts fitted to your car.
Advantages of Genuine Toyota Parts
They are the safest option because you are sure they exactly fit your car.
Genuine Toyota parts offer you unparalleled quality because each of these parts is built and engineered to attain the highest quality standards.
They come with the Toyota Replacement Parts and Accessories Warranties (You get a minimum 12-month guarantee from an authorised Toyota dealer).
Most owners of newer Toyota models would prefer genuine parts, although it does not necessarily mean that they are superior to OEM parts. Identifying them is quite simple due to the visible Toyota logo and markings.
OEM Parts
OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer), not to be confused with OE, are also known as replacement parts. These parts are built by an external company which at one point supplied Toyota with components. These companies often have Toyota's authorisation to sell the auto parts independently.
OEMs are the same in quality as genuine Toyota parts. You can identify them from their company branding (not Toyota). Unlike genuine parts, these come in boxes branded in the name of the company that manufactured them.
In terms of price, they are relatively cheaper as compared to genuine Toyota parts. OEM parts are usually suited for Toyota car owners whose cars are about four years older or so. OEMs are affordable and using them does not void the car’s warranty.
As they are parts from companies that once supplied Toyota, their quality is similar to genuine Toyota parts. On the upside, they are available at a substantially lower price. Independent repair shops usually replace Toyota car parts with either OEM or aftermarket parts although you can choose between the two.
Advantages of OEM
- They have the same quality as genuine Toyota parts but considerably cheaper.
- There are fewer OEMs in the market. With fewer brands to choose from, it becomes easier for you to find the best part.
- They don’t invalidate the car’s warranty.
Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket parts are auto parts made by companies different from the original manufacturers (Toyota or Toyota's supplier). They are usually meant to replace the OEMs and in some cases OEs. Their price and quality vary from one manufacturer to another; thus, there is no guarantee about what you're getting when you take the aftermarket parts way.
Although they are associated with poor quality, aftermarket auto parts can outperform the genuine and OEM parts. Companies manufacturing these parts usually aim to better the design and performance of the original parts.
Toyota usually licenses some of these companies, although it isn't always the case. The problem arises when manufacturers use substandard materials to make their products competitive price-wise. Using aftermarket car parts may void your car’s warranty if it's proven that using them caused damage in the car or its other parts.
Advantages of Aftermarket Parts
- Some aftermarket parts outperform genuine parts while being cheaper at the same time.
- Unlike OEMs, aftermarket parts are available in a vast range of options.
Summing Up
Aftermarket parts have always been a subject of debate. Most Toyota car owners question the quality of these parts and dismiss them as cheap knockoffs. Time and again, they have proven these car owners wrong. It's important to buy from reliable sellers and aftermarket brands. You may also request CarPart to find auto parts for you. It's a fast, safe, and cost-effective way to locate car parts in Australia.
If you want assured quality in auto parts for your car, visit a Toyota dealer. Authorised Toyota dealers usually replace damaged/failed components using genuine parts. You may also search our website for secondhand Toyota parts sellers for the particular model that you own.
Author:
Sam O.