OEM parts, or “original equipment manufacturer” parts, are made by the vehicle manufacturer. OEM Chevrolet auto parts are built using the same materials as any piece you may need to replace or enhance in your Chevrolet vehicle. OEM Chevrolet parts and GM parts are more expensive than aftermarket parts, but they offer greater reliability — meaning they’re less likely to break down and are actually cheaper in the long run. Chevrolet owners can learn more about the benefits of Chevrolet OEM parts vs. aftermarket parts below!

Chevrolet doesn’t produce aftermarket Chevrolet parts — aftermarket parts are manufactured by a third party, a company not related to Chevrolet. Generally, aftermarket auto parts are made to fit the specifications of a large variety of different auto makes, so they are built at a much higher volume than Chevrolet OEM parts. Although they’re usually more affordable than OEM Chevrolet auto parts, they often don’t fit as well as Chevrolet parts and could break down sooner. For this reason, it’s usually best to avoid aftermarket parts.

Here are a few more reasons to choose OEM Chevrolet parts over aftermarket parts (outside of the obvious quality differences): • Less Overwhelming Selection: If you’re not a gearhead, the amount of choices in aftermarket parts can be overwhelming, and you may not know what is best for your Chevrolet. This means you are at a greater risk of choosing the wrong part. If you shop for Chevrolet OEM parts with a trusted expert, you’ll get the appropriate part at a reasonable price. • Warranty Coverage: OEM parts are also cheaper because OEM GM parts and OEM Chevrolet parts are covered with a Limited Parts Warranty. In fact, adding an aftermarket part to your Chevrolet could jeopardize your warranty coverage if it can be proven that the third-party part caused damage to your vehicle. The bottom line is that OEM Chevrolet parts are made to last as long as the original part you’re replacing, while aftermarket parts are not.

Finding the correct auto parts for your vehicle may seem difficult at first. However, if you know what component is right for your vehicle, the work becomes much easier. At Three-Way Chevrolet, we assist our customers in finding suitable parts for their vehicles. The technicians and experts at our Chevrolet part store near Taft and Kettleman City, know exactly what your car needs. Our large inventory plays an important role in making this activity a lot easier. We also provide Lancaster Chevrolet drivers at our dealership. Visit our dealership for quality Chevrolet parts department in Bakersfield near Kettleman City!