Aftermarket parts are not counterfeit

There is an opinion among many car owners that after tear of genuine parts only genuine (OEM) parts, analogical to the latter, should be installed in the car, because other parts do not comply with quality thereof, and do not differ from the counterfeit much. To large extent, the reason of such point of view may be explained as lack of understanding of the essence of the term “aftermarket”.

Aftermarket should be perceived as extensive market of car parts, intended for replacement of torn original factory parts. Same as in any other markets, in the aftermarket one may find full range of products: starting from the most qualitative goods manufactured by leading global brands to low-quality parts made by “no name” factories, mainly of Chinese and Asian origin. Only experienced professionals employed in car services, who, in a long time, had an opportunity to test different products offered in the market, know this range of product very good. In some cases, you can find their recommendations in different forums for car owners on the Internet.

Parts for aftermarket

To obtain status of official supplier of products for original factory equipment of cars produced by the largest car manufacturers is the most desired goal for many manufacturers. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to ensure and guarantee maximum possible quality of all production processes, and to undergo complex certification performed by car brands. However, even upon meeting all requirements, one may need long period of production of car parts to aftermarket, before the manufacturer will get desired OEM status. Products manufactured by similar factories, most often, of leading global brands, have been created exactly based on technical requirements of car manufacturers, nearly not differing from original parts, and sometimes even being superior. Installation of such parts is absolutely safe and justified, especially considering the fact that such parts belong to more advantageous price category.

At the same time, many small companies, having limited opportunities, comply with all external parameters of parts, making significant deviations from technologies, materials used and processing of parts. Such products may not be considered as absolutely safe, it does not serve for a very long time, and installation thereof is not recommended, although it attracts inexperienced buyers with relatively low prices. Anyway, manufacturers of such parts label goods being manufactured with their name, undertaking full responsibility for quality thereof, thus, ensure at least minimum necessary level of safety.

Counterfeits

Large difference between low cost of cheap raw materials and high price of qualitative genuine goods has been compelling temptation for unreliable manufacturers, who want to get their profit from trusting car drivers. Such manufacturers more or less precisely imitate look of parts, use maximally cheap and raw materials of low quality, however, copying packing of leading global brands and putting foreign logos thereto.

Not only OEM brands, but also manufacturers of aftermarket products of good quality suffer from activities by such underground factories. In this case, estimate has been based on the fact that buyers expect genuine products to be of the highest quality, therefore, obvious difference in technologies may cause suspicions. At the same time, when counterfeiting less famous brands of average level, difference in quality sometimes is not so observable, and buyers can be not so exacting, initially.

Because of low quality of production of parts, and low durability of materials being used, counterfeit products are not recommended for installation, and, moreover, they are obviously unsafe, and may cause breakage of car nodes.

There are many signs, how you can distinguish between counterfeit and qualitative products. You may read about it in details in our article “How to distinguish between genuine part and counterfeit?”.

Our recommendations

• One should not be afraid of purchase of qualitative parts intended for aftermarket. Quality of such parts may often be same as of genuine one.
• Before purchase of parts for aftermarket, ask knowing professionals for advice on brands, which have been considered as leading manufacturers of car parts.
• Be cautious: one may try to sell you counterfeit goods, instead of genuine parts, or qualitative parts for aftermarket.
• In many cases, it is better to reject from purchase of goods for suspiciously lowered and very attractive price, because your safety and that of your family depends thereon.
• Prior to purchase, it is necessary to verify seller’s reputation and feedback on products being sold. International level of the shop, wide range of goods being offered from the existing of the own stock, existence of support service, and comprehensive terms of return of purchased goods most often speak volumes for seller’s scrupulosity. Such large shops themselves constantly control quality and origin of products being delivered to their stocks and sold afterwards.

If you have any questions, we recommend you to contact our support service to ask for help and advice. Our managers will gladly advise you on issues related to selection of the most appropriate parts for your car.