Like many car owners, I consider myself budget-conscious. So, when the brake light switch failed on my trusty ’92 Saab 900 turbo convertible, I naturally turned to my favorite online auto parts retailer. I was presented with two options: one priced at $9.24 and another at $14.24, both before shipping. Visually, they appeared identical. Guess which one I chose? In my quest for savings, I opted for the cheaper part. Had I scrutinized the product details more closely, I would have discovered that the $14.24 option was a Swedish-made, original equipment quality component. The other, the one I selected, was a cheap aftermarket car part of questionable origin from Italy.
Replacing your Saab 900 brake light switch? Opt for a quality, original equipment part to avoid repeat repairs and ensure reliability.
The irony is, my attempt to save a few dollars backfired spectacularly. The cheap aftermarket car part failed to resolve the issue of my brake lights staying illuminated and instead plunged me into a frustrating cycle of aggravation, back strain from repeated installations, and additional expenses. Ultimately, I conceded and purchased the pricier, original equipment part for $14.24, which, predictably, resolved the problem immediately. I suspect many car owners find themselves in similar predicaments. Faced with seemingly identical auto parts at different price points, who wouldn’t be tempted to choose the cheaper option? The crucial question is: when does opting for Cheap Aftermarket Car Parts become a costly mistake?
The truth is, the proliferation of cheap aftermarket car parts, many originating from overseas manufacturers, poses significant risks that extend far beyond mere financial considerations. Take brake pads, for example. Choosing cheap aftermarket brake pads can be the critical difference between a safe, controlled stop and a potentially catastrophic accident. I consulted Mark Lavelle, a member of the esteemed Global Brake Safety Council (GBSC), an organization representing leading auto suppliers, to gain deeper insight into this issue. “Alarmingly,” Lavelle explained, “there is virtually no regulatory oversight on brake parts sold in the aftermarket. Essentially, anyone can sell anything marketed as brake parts.”
Rust on a brake rotor can significantly compromise braking performance. Cheap aftermarket car parts are often more susceptible to premature rusting and degradation.
This lack of regulation is a major concern, according to the GBSC. Original equipment brake pads are manufactured using pickled and oiled galvanized steel. While this might sound like a culinary process, pickling and oiling in this context refers to the removal of scale and impurities from the steel during manufacturing. This meticulous process ensures an ultra-clean surface for bonding the friction material, preventing the rapid rust formation commonly observed in cheap aftermarket car parts constructed from inferior black steel.
Galvanized brake rotors offer superior rust protection, a key feature often lacking in cheap aftermarket car parts, ensuring longevity and reliable performance.
Now, let’s move beyond the technical jargon. If you routinely have your vehicle serviced at a dealership, you are almost certainly getting OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. However, independent auto repair shops have the flexibility to choose between OEM and aftermarket components. Recently, I had brake services performed on both of my Honda Fits at independent garages and, admittedly, didn’t inquire about the specific brands of pads and rotors used. Seeking clarity, I contacted Rob Maier of Maier’s Garage in Connecticut, my trusted local mechanic. “We learned a harsh lesson with cheap, Chinese-made rotors,” Rob recounted. “Due to recurring quality issues, about a year ago, we made a definitive switch to Napa rotors and Raymark brake pads. These parts feature a polymer coating that effectively prevents rust and eliminates brake squeal. My priority is customer satisfaction and avoiding repeat repairs due to subpar parts.”
This conversation was a relief. Had Rob presented me with a cheaper brake parts option, I might have been tempted to agree, prioritizing short-term savings over long-term reliability and safety. Lavelle further emphasized the scale of the problem, stating that “a significant majority of vehicles on the road today are equipped with rusted, compromised brake pads that fail to meet the original manufacturer’s stringent performance specifications.” While approximately 16 to 17 million new vehicles are sold annually with high-quality, OEM brake pads, an estimated 100 million brake jobs are performed each year. Alarmingly, cheap aftermarket car parts are frequently the default choice in these replacement scenarios.
Visual comparison of worn-out old brake pads versus new ones. Regular brake inspection and timely replacement with quality parts are crucial for vehicle safety.
Even insurance companies, in their pursuit of cost containment, can inadvertently contribute to the problem by pushing for the use of cheap aftermarket car parts in collision repairs. In 2014, the Attorney General of Louisiana initiated legal action against State Farm, challenging the insurer’s practice of specifying aftermarket parts in vehicle repairs. According to a CNN report in 2015, “Over 500 auto repair shops across 36 states joined a class-action lawsuit against major insurance companies, with states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma also actively investigating these practices.” While insurance companies typically defend their practices, the legal challenges underscore the ongoing debate surrounding the quality and suitability of cheap aftermarket car parts.
The aftermarket auto parts industry is a massive market, valued at an estimated $273.4 billion in 2017 by the Autocare Association. The financial stakes are undeniably high, making informed decisions about part selection more critical than ever.
Detailed view of a worn brake pad, emphasizing the importance of inspecting brake pad thickness and replacing them before they become critically thin and compromise braking efficiency.
The concerns surrounding cheap aftermarket car parts extend beyond just brakes. Back in 2010, Ford conducted rigorous crash tests comparing original equipment bumper components to aftermarket alternatives on popular models like the 2005-2009 Mustang and F-150 truck. Bumpers are integral to a vehicle’s crash protection system. The test results revealed a disturbing reality: using cheap aftermarket bumpers could lead to airbag deployment malfunctions – either deploying prematurely, too late, or not at all in a collision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a leading authority on vehicle safety, also cautions against the use of aftermarket bumpers due to the same lack of mandatory safety regulations that plague aftermarket brake parts.
Edmunds.com, a trusted source for automotive information, has thoroughly investigated the OEM versus aftermarket parts debate. Their analysis provides a balanced perspective, outlining the pros and cons of choosing cheap aftermarket car parts:
PROS of Cheap Aftermarket Car Parts:
- Lower Initial Cost: This is the most obvious advantage. Cheap aftermarket car parts are generally significantly less expensive than their OEM counterparts.
- Potentially Comparable or Even Superior Quality (in some cases): While inconsistent, some aftermarket manufacturers may produce parts that meet or exceed OEM standards. Furthermore, the aftermarket offers a broader range of performance-oriented and customized parts.
- Wider Availability: Cheap aftermarket car parts are readily accessible at gas stations, general auto parts stores, and online retailers, often offering immediate availability.
CONS of Cheap Aftermarket Car Parts:
- Inconsistent and Often Inferior Quality: Quality control in the cheap aftermarket parts sector is highly variable. It can be difficult to discern good quality from poor quality simply by visual inspection.
- Overwhelming and Confusing Selection: The sheer volume of brands and options in the cheap aftermarket parts market can be overwhelming, making it challenging to identify reliable and reputable suppliers.
- Limited or Non-Existent Warranty Coverage: Cheap aftermarket car parts often come with minimal or no warranty, leaving consumers financially vulnerable if parts fail prematurely.
Edmunds.com’s expert recommendation is clear: prioritize OEM parts for collision repairs and for vehicles under lease agreements. Consider aftermarket parts only if you possess in-depth knowledge of specific brands and their established quality reputations. However, they caution that even seemingly well-made cheap aftermarket car parts can harbor hidden flaws, advising less experienced car owners to consistently opt for OEM components, especially for safety-critical systems.
Mark Buchea, a seasoned mechanic at a repair shop in Shoreline, Washington, shared his firsthand experiences with the influx of cheap Chinese brake parts in an interview with the Herald Business Journal. He recounted instances where he had to physically file down brand-new cheap aftermarket brake parts just to make them fit properly. His alternator anecdote is even more concerning: for one particular vehicle, he had to cycle through a staggering eight alternators sourced from a major national auto parts chain before finally finding one that functioned correctly right out of the box.
“We resorted to calling multiple store locations and requesting bench tests of alternators before even picking them up,” Buchea explained. “Shockingly, we discovered that at five or six out of the seven or eight stores we contacted, the alternators were already non-functional straight out of the packaging.” Such experiences highlight the significant quality control issues prevalent in the realm of cheap aftermarket car parts.
You might understandably question whether industry groups like the GBSC can provide unbiased assessments regarding brake pad and rotor quality. While fair skepticism is warranted, the overwhelming evidence and numerous firsthand accounts strongly suggest that this is a genuine and critical safety concern. When it comes to your vehicle’s braking system, compromising on quality to save a few dollars on cheap aftermarket car parts is a gamble simply not worth taking. Your brakes are your vehicle’s most essential safety system, and ensuring their reliable performance every time you press the pedal should be your absolute priority.
For a stark visual illustration of the potential dangers of cheap aftermarket car parts, I recommend watching this video showcasing catastrophic failures of aftermarket wheels and a turbo blanket that actually ignites into flames. While it contains advertisements that you may choose to skip, the graphic imagery serves as a powerful reminder of the hidden risks associated with prioritizing price over quality when it comes to auto parts.
