There are five  main reasons that will direct you to choose between different brands of auto parts and components:

1. Convenience,

2. The price,

3. The quality (as perceived, or real... show me the engineering!),

4. Loyalty to brand (the least important factor for me, because no publicly traded company has loyalty but to making more profits for their shareholders, and I'm not a shareholder in any of these companies).

5. Dogmatic unproven beliefs, such as that the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) brands are of better quality than the aftermarket manufactured brands.

So...

---

Is there a difference between the OEM parts and the aftermarket ones?

Most estimates put the figure of the number of parts that compose a typical ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) driven car at around 30,000 parts... EVs (Electric Vehicles) have 20-30% less parts than their traditional ICE driven counterparts, so, in both cases, the cost of maintaining/replacing them can tally-up with time!

It is estimated that the value of the auto parts market has reached approximately US$702-Billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% between 2024-32, reaching a value of 119.5-Billion by 2032!

The question proposed in the header above is often on people's minds when the time comes to replace parts on their cars as part of a repair, or a maintenance project. Do I need to buy the part from the dealership, or am I OK buying an aftermarket part from one of the several reputable retailers?

Aftermarket car parts offer a cost-effective alternative to OEM parts. These parts can be as durable and reliable as OEM components, but it's essential to choose high-quality aftermarket parts from reputable manufacturers. The advantages of aftermarket options include:

• Cost Savings: Aftermarket car parts are usually much less expensive than OEM car parts (with a few exceptions), making them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers (it's worth researching online).
• Variety: The aftermarket offers a wide range of parts for various vehicle makes and models, including options for customization and performance enhancement not available through OEM sources.
• Availability: Aftermarket parts are widely available, making it easier to find a suitable part without waiting for an order from the manufacturer.

⚠ I have arrived at a rule which states: 'unless it's an emergency--when I do not have much of a choice, replace all sensitive electronic performance parts (such as air mass flow sensors), and parts that are installation-time intensive (complex removal/installation efforts) with OEM parts; otherwise, all other components can be replaced with reputable aftermarket brands--unless I can purchase the OEM for the [near] same price.' This is my personal rule, which you are welcome to adopt if you so choose.

Another thing to remember is that while most retailers, as well as dealerships, include a warrantee with the parts they sell, which can range from six-months, a "limited lifetime," or full lifetime replacement offer, you need to consider the following:

• The warrantee doesn't cover ANY labor costs involved in the removal of the failed/defective parts and replacing them.
• A warrantee is not necessarily a reflection of quality (those of us who shop online have already discovered that fact, if we hadn't before).
• A warrantee is as good as the longevity of the retailer in business, and the fact that you can approach them... when a retailer goes out of business, or is merged into another operation, the warrantees are not worth the paper they were written on.

So, where does that leave us? At this stage I'd like to discuss the recommendations I want to make, but, please keep in mind that, thankfully, I've never needed to replace all the component of any car I've owned or maintained, including those of The Silver Bullet (1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme S), which I've been maintaining for near three decades--the vehicle is reaching 300,000mi (482,803km) on the odometer! The Enterprise (2007 Nissan XTerra S) is reaching 200,000mi (321,869km) within less than 500mi (800km) from the time this comment is being updated (Aug. 13, 2024)! This means that the list will not be comprehensive, but it will be dynamic (updated as I learn more).

 

Part brands I recommend...

Part		Brand		Why?
Oil filter		Mobile 1 (Motorcraft for my Mustang)		Best performance, and engine protection, in all weather. (Wal-Mart)
Transmission fluid filter		ATP/ACDelco Pro/WIX		Excellent performance, and affordable price. NEVER take chances with the quality of any transmission component. Transmission repairs are very costly... pamper your transmission!
Sparkplugs		NGK/ACDelco		Excellent performance, and affordable price. I use Platinum on most of my vehicles. I have used copper on the '92 Silver Bullet with no notable depreciation of performance. I've also used NGK Iridium, but couldn't tell the difference in performance from the Platinum choice.
Sparkplug cables		NGK/Denso/Bosch/ACDelco/MSD/Duralast		All are very durable, and provide long lasting performance. I'd shop based on price, between those brands.
Brake pads		Duralast Gold (Ceramic)		Influenced b by the aviation industry, I've used ceramic brake pads since they came out and became affordable; they produce less brake dust for me to clean off the wheels, and have resolved the issue with squealing that came with some "organic"/semimetalic types. Moreover, their performance is significantly better at a larger range of temperatures. Lastly, since I purchased the Duralast (Auto Zone), they came with a "Lifetime" warrantee, which has been affording me free replacements by turning in the core.
Steering rack & pinion		Duralast		Good performance, and affordable price. Had to change it on the Silver Bullet in the late 1990s
Radiators		Duralast		Reasonable price. Have not had a problem, yet (I've purchased all my cars used, and since maintenance makes all the difference (where EO* doesn't play a role), so, the cars I've owned/maintained the longest have had less, if any, problems)! *EO: Engineered Obsolescence. The part was built to intentionally fail within a certain time/mileage.
Air filters		Purolator/ACDelco/K&N		Excellent performance, and affordable price. Do not compromise on the quality of the air-filters, for you WILL notice a negative impact on the performance of your vehicle over time.
Fuel filters		ACDelco/K&N/WIX		Excellent performance, and affordable price.
Cabin air filter		ACDelco/K&N/Duralast		Excellent performance, and affordable price. I choose HIPA and shop by best value between these brands.
Belts		Bando/ACDelco/Duralast/Continental/Goodyear		I would by the best priced of all these. They have all served me well with no problems, including, but not limited to, squealing during some weather conditions.
Windshield Wipers		RainX/Bosch/Michelin		In the North Texas climate, especially in the summer, when the temperatures, and UV radiation, rise to destructive levels, and based on my experience, I choose to mate the fluid I use with one of three wipers (I shop of best price for performance, and I purchase the best that I'm willing to afford): Best price--Bosch Clear Advantage, best for the money--RainX Latitude 2-in-1, and for best performance in all weather, including severe, the Michelin Endurance Silicone Beam. On the Silver Bullet, I use the Michelins, because the wipers are hidden below the cowling when retracted, so, they tend to last longer, so, I can afford to spend more on them.
Hatchback shocks		Duralast		They last about three years on the back hatch (Jeep XJ and the Nissan XTerra). For the money, I'm not aware of a better choice at this time.
Tires		Michelin/Yokohama/Cooper		These are the brands I've used and have served me well. I factor in how often I drive the vehicle in question and in what weather/traffic conditions. I do try to purchase the tires that have the best warrantee covering them, too, including mileage coverage. I am VERY happy with Michelins, which I currently use on my XTerra, but the other two brands have served me very well over the years. All of my business, since the mid-1990s has been done though Discount Tires... prior to that, it was Pep Boys (whom I do not frequent anymore)... Wal-Mart/Sam's/Costco will always be a second choice, depending on the circumstances.
Suspension		KYB/Duralast		At the time, most of my shopping was being done at Auto Zone. These two brands have served me well on the singular occasion where I have to make the replacement. There may be more elaborate reviews online for other brands, which, at this time, I can recommend that you search for.
Sensors		Bosch/Duralast/OEM		I have always chosen to use the OEM (from the dealer) when the price is equal, or close, to that of the aftermarket, so, I do shop on line to confirm that. Else, I've gone with the Bosch and the Duralast, which have served me well. The exception, when I always purchase the OEM, is for sensitive sensors for import vehicles, such as the MAF sensor, or ones that are buried and hard to access, then I chose the OEM brand... if I can find the OEM part made available aftermarket (such as some Bosch components), then I choose those. The critical factors for me are: [1] How long is the job going to take me to complete, [2] The cost of the part. Electronic components seldom come with warrantees, but if they do, that will determine the choice between otherwise, two equally performance-rated parts.

 

👉 If I dared to miss listing any other needed commonly replaced parts, please do not hesitate to bring that to my attention, and share any constructive feedback you may have with our community and visitors!