Selection of spare parts for the car: original vs analogues

 

• Description
• What are original spare parts
• A variety of substitutes
• Recommendations for the selection of spare parts

 

 

Description

 

Choosing spare parts for car repair is not an easy task at all. Especially if you do not have the knowledge and skills of a car mechanic to confidently distinguish a quality part from a low-quality one. In addition, the number of offers on the market only complicates the task: counterfeits, fakes, new companies that do not yet inspire confidence. Although the last option is quite good. Often, in order to survive among the sharks and stay afloat, young producers sell really high-quality goods at low prices. And it happens the other way around. Which once again proves how difficult it is to understand this issue yourself.

 

So let's try together to find out how original spare parts differ from non-original ones and which option will be better depending on the situation. And how can you save money without losing quality.

 

 

What are original spare parts

 

All spare parts that are installed in the car during its assembly at the factory can be attributed to the original. Does this mean that all original components must be manufactured by the car manufacturer? Not at all. For example, Toyota does not produce candles, but orders them from contractors and only mounts them in its cars during assembly. The Denso company even has a separate line that makes candles for Toyota and packs them in packaging with the brand logo of this automaker. So is the chassis of the car. For example, the Lemforder company makes silent blocks for the VAG concern: Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, etc. The same applies to other spare parts.

 

The photo shows the packaging of the exhaust gas temperature sensor for a Nissan car.

 

So, the original is all the components used by the car concern on the assembly line, as well as those that are officially sold under the car manufacturer's brand. How can you determine the original? Branded spare parts must be sold in the branded packaging of the car manufacturer, and their authenticity is confirmed by the serial number.

Cons of the original is a markup. That is, in fact, you are overpaying for the packaging and the brand. But in return, you can be sure that this spare part will definitely fit your car, and you will also receive a manufacturer's warranty.

 

 

A variety of substitutes

 

Substitutes basically fall into three main categories.

 

1. It happens that the same original spare parts are not sold in branded packaging from the car manufacturer, but under the brand of the spare parts manufacturer.

 

The photo shows the valve of the EVAP system for a Mercedes car.

 

And this significantly reduces their price (from 10% to 30% of the cost). The more expensive the car brand, the greater the difference. Such spare parts are in fact the same originals, but without the certification of the car manufacturer. This is one of the main and most justified savings that can be made during the repair of your vehicle.

Professional sellers often track all possible options for purchasing such spare parts and offer them to their customers.

 

2. These are clearly inferior spare parts due to the fact that lower quality materials or less technological equipment are used for their manufacture. And this is done primarily to make the final product cheaper.

 

 

But you need to understand that such spare parts are cheaper for a reason. They are that way because they are of lower quality. And there are many of them on the market.

In addition, it is worth understanding that there are many substitutes and if the original is worth 100 euros, then the substitute can be either 90 euros or 10 euros. Although the price is not always an indicator, but in this case, a substitute for 10 euros is not suitable at all.

 

3. The third, very important type of substitutes is reinforced or improved spare parts. There are many manufacturers from enthusiasts to serious firms who really want to improve their products and become competitive at a lower price.

In fact, there are many companies, but for example, we will cite Belgum or Polypro , companies where manufacturers clearly control the quality of all products. Collect feedback from both craftsmen and users and improve products.

Reducing the price while maintaining quality can be achieved through innovation and smart solutions.

This category also includes substitutes for sports, when certain spare parts are made more rigid and more resistant to excessive loads.

 

Of course, we will not miss the product with the "fake" stamp. Such spare parts almost always contain the names of well-known brands on their packaging: Febi Bilstein, Meyle, ATE, BERU, BOSCH, Zimmerman, ZF, Behr Hella Service, etc. And this makes it difficult for the average person to independently determine whether it is an original or not. Therefore, it is important to address such a question to specialists. Such a phenomenon has a very negative impact on both the market and the reputation of brand manufacturers.

 

 

Recommendations for the selection of spare parts

 

The recommendations are very simple: count. But not only the price of spare parts, count the work and time that will be spent. If it is a chassis, you need to take into account camber-ascent. Cheap spare parts wear out faster and damage your car. If it is, for example, spark plugs or air filters, then poor-quality parts will allow dust to enter the engine, which will contribute to its accelerated failure. Remember: many negative aspects associated with lower quality spare parts affect the resource and reliability of your car.

Proper installation of spare parts is also important. A part installed on the wrong side or which was subject to trimming or hammering in general cannot serve for a long time.
The geometry of the body and chassis also affects the wear of spare parts. After all, damaged power elements of the car and unsaved geometry of the chassis will definitely lead to excessive wear of the suspension elements. It is worth checking the geometry of the body regularly, especially after hitting potholes and hitting curbs when parking. The suspension is very vulnerable to side impacts. And taking into account the fact that cars periodically get into road accidents, such an inspection is also mandatory before buying a car. Of course, it is quite expensive, but it helps to save a lot of money in the future. This body geometry check service at different service stations is called differently, but has the same meaning:

 

• camber and camber adjustment
• wheel geometry
• camber ascent
• 3D wheel geometry

 

 

Remember: all values after adjustment must be within the factory set norms.

 

Therefore, be careful, think and take care of yourself.