For OEM parts, yes — dealers charge more. The question worth asking is what you’re actually getting for the difference.

Bottom Line:

  • Dealerships use OEM parts that meet exact manufacturer specifications — they cost more than most aftermarket alternatives
  • For safety-critical systems and anything with calibration requirements, OEM is the correct choice
  • Reputable aftermarket parts are a reasonable option for non-critical components
  • The risk of a cheap aftermarket part failing often costs more than the savings

What You’re Paying for with OEM Parts

An OEM (original equipment manufacturer) part is either made by the same supplier that built the part originally installed in your vehicle, or manufactured to the same exact specifications. The fit, tolerances, materials, and performance characteristics match what was engineered for the vehicle.

This matters most for:

Safety-critical components. Brake pads and rotors, wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, steering components. These parts keep the vehicle stable and stoppable under emergency conditions. The margin for variance is zero — a brake pad that runs 10% hotter before fading, or a ball joint with looser tolerances, behaves differently from what the engineers designed around.

Calibration-dependent parts. Sensors, cameras, radar modules, and electronic control units are programmed to manufacturer specifications. An aftermarket part that functions similarly may not communicate correctly with the vehicle’s control modules, triggering fault codes or degrading system performance. For any vehicle with a driver-assist system (Subaru EyeSight, Ford Co-Pilot360, Volvo City Safety), OEM or manufacturer-certified parts in these systems are essential.

Gaskets, seals, and O-rings. These inexpensive parts made to wrong specifications cause expensive leaks. The cost difference between an OEM gasket set and a cheap alternative is small; the cost of a subsequent oil leak repair or coolant leak is not.

Mike Mineo
"Alfa Romeo and most European brands have tight specifications on parts that interact with electronics — sensors, modules, injectors. An aftermarket part that tests at 95% spec doesn't sound like a problem until you're getting a ghost fault code that takes six hours of diagnostic time to trace back to the non-OEM sensor. The savings on the part aren't worth it."

- Mike Mineo

General Manager, Westbury Alfa Romeo

When Aftermarket Parts Are a Reasonable Choice

Not every part on your vehicle requires OEM sourcing. Reputable aftermarket from established manufacturers is a legitimate option for:

Filters. Air filters, cabin filters, and oil filters from Bosch, Denso, Wix, or Purolator meet or exceed OEM specifications at lower cost. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on OEM vs OES parts.

Belts and hoses. Drive belts, serpentine belts, and coolant hoses from reputable brands like Gates or Dayco are manufactured to high standards and used by many professional shops.

Brake pads on high-mileage, out-of-warranty vehicles. Brands like Akebono, Bosch, and EBC manufacture pads to competitive specifications. For a daily driver Subaru Outback at 110,000 miles, a reputable aftermarket brake pad is a reasonable choice.

The rule of thumb: if the part fails, what’s the consequence? For a cabin air filter, a cheap part costs you filtration efficiency. For a brake caliper or a sensor in a safety system, the consequence of failure is much higher — and OEM is worth the price.

What Dealers Use (and What You Can Ask)

Franchised dealerships use OEM parts for all warranty repairs and most customer-pay service by default. For out-of-warranty vehicles on cost-sensitive repairs, some dealers offer certified aftermarket alternatives. Ask your service advisor specifically: “What brand of part will you be using for this repair?” A good service advisor will tell you directly.

At VIP Automotive Group locations, all parts used in your service visit are documented on the work order. You can review exactly what went into your vehicle before you leave.