Used Car Parts
Part of what to expect when purchasing, owning, and driving a second hand car is the availability of spare parts. There are two ways to get parts for a used car. One is through original parts from the manufacturer. Another is to get surplus parts – that is old stock of parts from the manufacturer, or salvaged parts from the same model or same part or some other vehicle.
OEM Parts
OEM parts, or original equipment manufacturer parts, are those typically made by the automakers themselves or the partner manufacturers of parts that were originally used in the vehicle when it came off the assembly line. OEM parts are typically available for the majority of the car’s lifetime. If it is an especially popular car, OEMs will most like continually supply spare parts for it.
OEM spare parts usually include most of the engine, drive train, suspension and exhaust system.
Surplus Parts
Surplus parts are usually called that when the manufacturer stops producing the spare parts and sell only the remaining stock. Surplus can also be used as a generic term for salvaged parts of the same model or near similar model. Surplus parts may be replacement auto body parts, remanufactured engines, original wheels and rims, car lights and many other parts culled from second hand cars and throwaway cars. This is only usually the case for cars older than 10 years.
Aftermarket Parts
OEM and surplus parts are essentially different from aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts are parts that are manufactured by third party companies to mimic the performance of the original part, and oftentimes to enhance the performance of the car. Today, because of the rise in petrol prices, people usually look for parts that are capable of enhancing their fuel efficiency or vehicle performance. This is usually done using aftermarket parts.
