What Are OEM Parts, And Why Are They Important?
If your newer vehicle is involved in an accident and needs serious repair work, one of the last things you want to worry about is the vehicle’s decrease in value.
Now imagine how much harder it would be to trade in or privately sell a vehicle with a replaced door that’s not quite the same colour as the rest of the car or a replaced spoiler that’s clearly a knockoff part.
One common practice in the insurance industry is insurance companies forcing repair garages to seek out the cheapest parts available when fixing vehicles after a partial loss. Not only does this include aftermarket parts, but it also often means parts pulled from scrap yards.
This problem is one of the many reasons why the demand for OEM parts has become popular among many automobile owners. Short for “Original Equipment Manufacturer,” OEM parts are ones made directly by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
Of course, many non-OEM parts can be very high quality, sometimes better than the original. Depending on your vehicle’s model year, OEM parts may also no longer be available. However, there are a few perks to ensuring your vehicle is repaired using OEM parts.
First, as mentioned earlier, OEM parts can also help protect your investment in your new car, truck or SUV. If you decide to sell or trade in your vehicle in the future, well-trained eyes can notice whether important parts are OEM or aftermarket, leading to a tougher sale or reduced dollar figures in an offer.
Another perk is that you get the peace of mind of knowing that the parts were originally intended to fit the specifications of your new vehicles make and model. In other words, they’re the exact parts the manufacturer wanted to be used.
How Obvi can help
Don’t get stuck owning a one-year-old vehicle with parts from a junkyard.
Customers who purchase a New Car Replacement Insurance policy from Obvi can add OEM parts protection to their coverage. This option pays up to $2,500 per year in additional costs to ensure that OEM parts are used in your vehicle. With coverage for up to five years, you’ll ensure that your vehicle investment is protected for longer.