Is the Extra Cost for OEM Kia Parts for Sale Worth It?

Apr 9, 2015

One of the biggest questions people have any time they need parts for their Kia are whether these parts are really worth the extra money, because there are less expensive aftermarket parts to use instead. When you take your Kia to your Kia dealership in El Paso for service, the dealership uses OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. These parts have been manufactured by Kia and meet Kia’s quality requirements. Depending upon the part replacement, it could have up to a one year warranty.

Independent service centers tend to use aftermarket parts instead of OEM parts. It is estimated that independent shops use between 70 and 80 percent aftermarket parts. There are numerous aftermarket companies producing parts functioning similar to OEM parts. In some cases, the aftermarket part may be better than the OEM part—but not always. There are different levels of quality used by the various manufacturers. If you are replacing parts yourself, or at an independent shop, and you decide to use aftermarket parts, make sure to do some research to find out which aftermarket manufacturers produce high quality parts for your Kia.

There are several advantages and disadvantages to using aftermarket replacement Kia parts. It was already mentioned, they are normally less expensive and might be equal or greater in quality than OEM Kia parts for sale. Since there are a large number of aftermarket manufacturers, there is normally better availability and variety. You can walk into any independent parts department or service center and walk out with the part.

Even with these advantages, using aftermarket parts is not always beneficial. The quality of the parts varies greatly. There is an extensive selection of parts to choose from and, if you are not familiar with the top quality aftermarket manufacturers, you could easily choose a poor quality part. In most cases, aftermarket parts come with no warranties or a very limited 90 day warranty. Aftermarket parts tend to lower the resale value of your Kia.

The advantage to spending a little bit more money on OEM parts is that you know the parts are made by Kia and are identical to the ones used to build your Kia. It is easier to find the right part for your Kia from your El Paso Kia dealer’s parts department. You can have confidence the new part is designed to work and perform the same. Most OEM parts have up to a one year warranty.

In the end, it comes down to your own personal preference and, in certain cases, it is better to pay more for OEM Kia parts. If you are not sure which aftermarket brands make the highest quality parts for your Kia, stick with OEM parts. If you want to keep your Kia all Kia, use OEM parts. If you prefer to pay someone else to do repair and service work, use OEM parts. Always use OEM Kia parts whenever you are having your Kia repaired after an accident, especially if you are replacing exterior pieces, since aftermarket bumpers and body panels may not fit correctly or meet Kia’s crash safety standards.

To order OEM parts for your Kia, or to schedule service, contact our Kia dealership in El Paso today at 915-856-2982.