Often the installation of a non-OEM part poses a threat to warranty coverage on a vehicle. If your hydraulic system fails because someone changed with fluid that doesn’t match manufacturer specifications, you may be on the hook to rebuild it yourself rather than filing a warranty claim. OEM parts themselves may also have a better guarantee than those from 3rd-party suppliers or non-original parts.

With the increasing use of connected sensors and integrated data collection to monitor and record operating conditions, making sure related components are compatible is a primary concern. Manufacturers commonly use proprietary software to control machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, and other aftermarket suppliers may not have access to the code that makes everything work together.

Large OEM vehicle manufacturers have been around for years, meaning they’ve had a long time to refine their supply chains and distribution networks. While you may believe you’re saving a few hundred dollars by buying that expensive part from a “disruptive” vendor, the only thing likely to be disrupted is your work schedule when the part doesn’t show up on time, fit correctly, or lead to a dangerous repair condition.

A part is a part, right? Except you have no idea what’s in the alloy or plastic that the part is made from. Auto makers have spent over 100 years formulating recipes for sheet metal and coatings that resist corrosion and contribute to increased safety standards. Is that fender produced in Malaysia made of the same stuff? Nobody knows (and is highly doubtful.)