3 Things To Consider Before Buying Aftermarket Parts For Your Fleet
When managing a fleet, there are a few things that you have to consider. For example, you have to choose the heavy duty truck parts that are right for your fleet. Some companies only buy OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts, while others swear by aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts can still be a good choice in some cases, but there are a few things that you will want to consider first.
1. Is There Really a Cost Savings?
First of all, you will want to consider whether there is really a cost savings for buying aftermarket parts or not. Many people assume that aftermarket parts are more affordable. This is true in some cases, but it's not always the case. Make sure that you compare pricing before buying aftermarket parts. You might find that the OEM parts are close in price to the aftermarket parts; if this is the case, then you may want to go ahead and buy the OEM parts instead.
2. Will the Warranty Be Affected?
Another major thing that you should consider is whether or not aftermarket parts will affect the warranty on the vehicles in your fleet. If your fleet is comprised of older vehicles that aren't under warranty anyway, aftermarket parts might be a good choice. If your fleet vehicles are still under the manufacturer warranty, however, you will want to look into the warranty information before buying aftermarket parts. In some cases, truck warranties can be voided if you buy non-OEM parts, which is definitely something that you will want to avoid. If this is the case, you'll probably want to stick to OEM parts rather than buying aftermarket parts.
3. Is the Brand Still Well-Known?
Even though aftermarket parts might not be made by the manufacturer, some of them are from more obscure brands than others. When looking for aftermarket parts, you may want to look for parts with some brand recognition. Parts from well-known brands -- even if they aren't OEM parts -- can sometimes be more reliable, and many of them come with parts warranties that rival the warranties on original equipment manufacturer parts. Make sure that you're comparing brands rather than just buying the first aftermarket parts that you come across for best results.
Buying aftermarket parts isn't always a bad idea, but it isn't always the best idea, either. This is why it's important to consider a few things before buying aftermarket parts for your fleet. Then, you can ensure that you are making the right decision.