Why It’s Best to Choose OEM Over Aftermarket Parts for Appliance Repairs

Are you tired of juggling confusing appliance repair options only to end up with parts that don’t work? Don’t let aftermarket headaches sabotage your DIY project! Discover the benefits of using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and watch the video guide below to master repairs with confidence and ease.

Whether you’re completing an annual swap-out of components like spark plugs and air filters for your mower, or urgently trying to fix a broken dryer heating element before your next laundry day, you want to make sure you get high-quality appliance parts.

There are lots of options to consider when shopping around, and it’s crucial to carefully read part descriptions, check the sizing, and material composition, double-check your appliance model and serial number, and read the product reviews before making a purchase. 

When shopping for appliance parts, it’s important to understand the difference between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket pieces. Aftermarket parts may advertise a lower cost and universal fit across multiple brands and models, but you’ll typically find that OEM parts fit better and last much longer.

Let’s take a look at the differences between OEM and aftermarket parts and the reasons why it’s best to stick with OEM parts purchased from reliable sources like AppliancePartsPros.com.

Ready to find OEM parts for your appliance? Search below using your specific model number to identify the exact part needed:

Defining OEM and aftermarket appliance parts

OEM parts

Original equipment manufacturer parts are designed and produced by the original brand or company that produced the appliance. They often carry the manufacturer’s brand name and logo for easy identification. For example, a refrigerator part with the Whirlpool logo would be considered an OEM part. 

OEM parts are designed and built to match the exact specifications of the appliance model and they are often considered the most accurate type of replacement part. OEM parts may be compatible with multiple models of the same type of equipment, or across a variety of brands of one parent company, but they aren’t universal. They’re made for a specific fit.

Using OEM parts helps maintain the form, function, and quality of the appliance that matches the manufacturer’s original design specifications.

Aftermarket parts

Sometimes called generic, universal, exact replacement, or third-party parts, aftermarket parts are made by companies other than the equipment or appliance’s original manufacturer. They are typically designed to be compatible with as many different brands and models of equipment as possible and often use cheaper materials to achieve a lower price point.

Cost

At first glance, an aftermarket part might seem like a better deal compared to OEM since they’re usually, but not always, cheaper. But a lower initial price tag on an aftermarket part doesn’t guarantee long-term savings.

Before settling on a cheaper option that promises “universal fit”, check product reviews. It’s common to see and hear stories about aftermarket parts breaking within months of purchasing or damaging other components of an appliance after installation. If an aftermarket part breaks after its warranty period has expired – if it even includes a warranty at all – your initial savings could be eaten up by frequently replacing parts that should last 5 to 10 years.

By ordering OEM replacement parts, you can be confident that you’re paying for a quality product using guaranteed materials so it lasts as long as possible. Even though OEM parts may initially cost more money — sometimes a premium of 20-50% over aftermarket ones — it’s usually for good reasons. OEM parts are generally made with better materials, include longer warranty periods, and are regularly tested for safety and quality. 

In the rare instance that you receive a defective OEM part that malfunctions or breaks shortly after purchasing, that part will likely be covered by a reasonable warranty so you can get a free replacement.

Warranties

Just about every major appliance or piece of lawn equipment comes with some kind of manufacturer-limited warranty at the time of purchase that covers parts and labor for certain types of damage and out-of-the-box malfunctions. You may also be able to purchase an extended warranty that insures your appliance beyond the standard warranty period.

The length of the appliance warranty depends on the product and manufacturer. Major appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators almost always have a 1-year limited warranty to cover repairs and replacement. A good lawn mower warranty will usually last around 2 or 3 years. 

It’s wise to familiarize yourself with your appliance’s owner manual so you can find out how long the warranty lasts. Specific components within the appliance also might be covered beyond what the limited warranty states! For example, a refrigerator’s compressor may be insured for at least 4 more years beyond the first limited warranty year, and you may be able to have that part replaced with a compatible OEM component at no cost. 

If you’re attempting to complete maintenance or an appliance repair yourself, it’s best to buy an OEM part since it’s guaranteed by the manufacturer or seller. The length of appliance part warranties will vary, but most from major brands come with a 90-day to 1-year warranty. Certain ones may be insured longer or shorter, depending on the component’s purpose. 

As a seller of OEM parts, AppliancePartsPros.com provides a risk-free satisfaction guarantee for a year against defects. 

Aftermarket parts, however, often don’t come with warranties at all. Once they break, they’ll typically need to be replaced without any insurance.

Limited vs. extended warranties

A limited warranty is standard with an appliance or part purchase while an extended warranty adds more time and issues protection for an extra upfront fee. Be sure to read all policy details before purchasing extended coverage:

Limited warranty:

• Standard with purchase of new appliance or replacement OEM part
• No extra cost
• Coverage period is typically 90 days for parts and labor on any defects
• One-year coverage is common for major appliances like refrigerators
• Only covers defects in materials and workmanship
• Doesn’t cover incidental or consequential damages
• Handled by manufacturer customer service/replacement parts direct

Extended warranty:

• An optional policy offered at the time of appliance purchase
• Can be purchased for an extra fee based on appliance value and length of extended coverage
• Extends coverage beyond the standard limited warranty period
• May provide 2-5 years of total coverage when added to the limited warranty
• May cover additional issues like rust, dents, and food spoilage from breakdown
• Typically handled through a third-party warranty company
• Must follow plan guidelines for service approval
• Can include service fees

Will using aftermarket parts void my appliance warranty?

It could. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, passed in 1975, established legal standards for product warranties and serves as consumer protection legislation against deceptive warranty practices. Based on the Act, simply using aftermarket parts on your appliance or lawn equipment won’t void the warranty, but it’s a bit more complicated. 

If your product breaks and the generic part is found to be the cause — whether it was installed incorrectly or just defective — it could void your warranty. This could leave you with an expensive piece of broken equipment that you would be financially responsible for repairing or replacing.

But if you’re using OEM parts and something goes wrong, your product’s warranty should still stay intact. The OEM component, even if faulty or damaged, was made for use with your product, and there would be no risk of it voiding your warranty.

Quality, Compatibility, & Safety

Have you ever taken a close look at an aftermarket part and noticed some differences in its overall quality compared to the part your equipment came with? Maybe it felt a little too light, the plastic was thin, or the overall shape was slightly wrong. While that might not seem like a big deal at first, attention to detail is of utmost importance when it comes to appliance parts.

Misaligned screw holes, seemingly brittle plastic, or even a belt that just doesn’t feel like it’s made of the right materials might seem like little sacrifices made to save yourself some money, but these issues usually indicate a weaker product and one more likely to break on you. In the best-case scenario, you’d just have to replace an aftermarket part sooner than you wanted, but a weak part can damage other appliance components, even if it doesn’t break itself. An inferior lawn mower or washing machine motor might overwork and snap an otherwise pristine belt. 

Using aftermarket parts, which are generally not built to last, may also increase the risk of causing injury to yourself such as electric shock, burns, lacerations, and even poisoning. While some aftermarket manufacturers may aim to match OEM safety standards, their inferior designs, materials, or quality control with any replacement part can increase the risk of hazardous failures.

It’s important to look past that initial price tag. Be sure to check the material makeup, look to see if the part has any safety certifications, and read user reviews before making a purchase.

By using OEM parts, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve paid for a guaranteed, accurate fit, higher quality materials, and, often, certifications that the part has been tested and meets safety and quality standards.

Certain products like water filters for refrigerators may come with National Sanitation Foundation safety certifications, which are often listed in either the product’s description or on the label. If an aftermarket part is not NSF certified, it doesn’t necessarily mean it didn’t pass safety tests, but rather that it wasn’t tested at all! Manufacturers typically pay to have their products tested and certified by organizations like the NSF to declare their safety for use.

Saving time

Whether you’re replacing your dishwasher’s door switch or your lawn mower’s blade, shopping for OEM replacement parts should be a quick and easy process. If your old part doesn’t have the part number listed on it, you can find the number through AppliancePartsPros.com or the manufacturer’s website by using the specific model number of the appliance. After that, you’ll just need to complete the purchase of the part.

On the other hand, trying to track down an aftermarket component that is compatible with your appliance model can be very time-consuming and difficult due to the “universal” nature of these parts. And even if you find and buy the part online, you may find yourself waiting days or even weeks for it to arrive. It’s not uncommon for someone who bought a product from a third-party seller to wind up waiting weeks or even months for the product to arrive, if it arrives at all.

Factors that could complicate shopping for aftermarket parts:

• Appliance age: Newer appliance models generally have fewer aftermarket part options available at first compared to very common, older designs that third-party companies have had more time to reverse engineer.
• Brand popularity: Major appliance brands tend to have the most robust aftermarket support. More niche or small brand options may be limited.
• Part type: Simple, generic parts tend to be more readily available as aftermarket across most appliances. More unique or complex parts can be harder to find quality third-party matches for.
• Failure rate: Less commonly failing parts are naturally lower demand in the aftermarket space versus high-use components prone to more failure.
• Country of origin: Appliances designed for international markets may be more difficult to source matching aftermarket components depending on a company’s target regions.

While it’s not recommended, if you decide to shop for aftermarket parts, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Do your research: Look up reputable aftermarket part manufacturers. Check reviews online for brands with a strong track record of quality and customer service.
• Cross-reference the part number: Provide both the appliance brand/model and original part number to verify an aftermarket component is an exact match.
• Consider the repair complexity: Complex repairs involving electronics or precise assembly are especially better completed with OEM parts.
• Check the warranty: Quality aftermarket parts may include 1-year limited warranties for your protection.

You can take a lot of stress out of shopping when you decide to seek out OEM parts. Deciding to purchase a manufacturer-made component helps guarantee that you’ll find the right one quicker, and most likely receive it a whole lot faster. If you’re buying online from a reputable seller like AppliancePartsPros.com, you can expect to get the part delivered to your door in as little as 1 to 2 days. 

No matter where you shop, it’s best to verify that the part you’re looking at is a genuine OEM part. 

Where To Find Us 

If you need any replacement parts for your appliances, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to locate and order them quickly. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have tons of great information in our repair help section and YouTube videos to help you troubleshoot.

Stay connected with the latest DIY tips, tutorial videos, and repair guides by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We love hearing about your repair stories and successes. If you need more help or want personalized guidance, feel free to contact or call us at 877-477-7278. We’re ready to help you take on your next project with confidence!

Since 1999, AppliancePartsPros.com has helped millions of people repair their broken appliances by providing high-quality original parts at well below retail prices, free support and troubleshooting, and award-winning customer service from an expert, friendly, US-based customer support team!