Imagine the following situation. Your Volkswagen has gone in for a repair. The technician offers you two options: genuine VW parts or aftermarket components.
Naturally, the parts from Volkswagen will leave you with a higher upfront cost, but there’s more to the story. In fact, in the long run, getting parts straight from VW will likely save you money, time and stress. In this blog, we’ll explain why that’s the case.
Quality assurance
It’s all about quality when it comes to Volkswagen. Volkswagen parts undergo careful, prolonged testing. So, choosing genuine ones means you can be sure of the highest quality, with parts meeting stringent manufacturer standards.
In short, purchasing parts straight from Volkswagen means they’ll last for a long time. High-quality components also have the advantage of being safer and leading to improved performance compared to alternative aftermarket options.
Part warranties
Genuine VW parts are the best choice for repairs because the components themselves come with warranties. This is also true for some aftermarket companies, but not all.
You’ll want to know your money is protected if something goes wrong thanks to a manufacturer defect, including catastrophic failures. Plus, even if an aftermarket part has a warranty, this might not extend to the rest of your car in the event of a collision. We’ll further discuss warranties later in this article.
Safety
Using high-quality VW original parts means keeping your car as safe as possible. Many aftermarket components are also safe and built to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards. However, this doesn’t apply to them all. Aftermarket producers also don’t typically subject their products to the same levels of rigorous testing that manufacturers are legally obliged to.
If a part doesn’t meet Volkswagen’s strict safety standards, you, your passengers and other road users may be at greater risk.
Longevity
Another of the main benefits of using genuine VW parts is their longevity. Real Volkswagen components are made from high-quality materials. They’re designed to last, so you won’t have to replace them as frequently as you would with non-genuine parts. This not only saves you money in the long run but also ensures your Volkswagen remains in excellent condition for years to come.
Resale value
If you plan on selling your Volkswagen, repairing your vehicle using parts straight from Volkswagen helps increase its resale value.
Prospective buyers often look for a vehicle that’s been maintained with genuine parts. They know it’s been well taken care of by an owner conscious of vehicle maintenance, safety and quality preservation.
Since your second-hand VW would be seen as a higher-quality option in its age and mileage bracket, buyers will be willing to pay more.
Easy to install
Finally, using genuine Volkswagen parts makes the repair process easier and more efficient. These parts have been engineered to fit your Volkswagen perfectly, making installation quick and hassle-free.
In contrast, aftermarket components are usually built to fit a wide range of vehicles from various manufacturers. They’re a generic fit. Much of the time, this makes little difference, but technicians regularly run into cases of aftermarket parts not fitting correctly.
So, using genuine VW components means getting back on the road as soon as possible without worrying about additional issues or complications.
Warranty protection
Using genuine VW parts for repairs also comes with the added benefit of warranty protection.
Warranties are always fiddly to navigate and often come with pages of terms and conditions. When it comes to aftermarket components, warranties may be invalidated if investigations determine these to be the cause of a major fault. However, if you used a warranty-compliant part, Volkswagen likely won’t take issue.
It’s all very complex. Therefore, to avoid potential problems, it’s best to use the option you know is approved by VW, providing you peace of mind.
The drawbacks of using aftermarket parts
Using aftermarket parts for a VW group car can come with several drawbacks. These issues aren’t unique to VW, but are generally applicable to most makes and models.
The main drawback with aftermarket parts is they vary in quality. Some may be on par with or even exceed OEM parts, but others may be of inferior quality, affecting the vehicle’s performance and reliability.
If your VW group car is still under warranty, using aftermarket parts might void the warranty. Many manufacturers require that OEM parts be used for repairs and maintenance during the warranty period to keep the warranty valid. Some insurance companies also have stipulations about using OEM parts for repairs. Using aftermarket parts could affect your insurance coverage or premiums.
Aftermarket parts may not always fit as precisely as OEM parts, leading to additional labour costs for adjustments or even causing damage to other parts of the car. This can be particularly true for complex components. Cars that are maintained with OEM parts generally have a higher resale value. Using aftermarket parts, especially for significant repairs or modifications, can potentially decrease your car’s resale value.
Some aftermarket parts may not meet the safety and environmental standards required in the UK. This is particularly relevant for critical components like brakes, lights and emissions-related parts. While aftermarket parts are often readily available and offer a wide selection, finding the exact part needed for specific VW group models might sometimes be challenging, leading to delays in repairs.
And not all garages may have the expertise to properly install certain aftermarket parts, especially if they’re significantly different from the OEM parts.
It’s important to note that the impact of these drawbacks can vary widely depending on the type of part, the specific vehicle, and the source of the aftermarket parts. Some aftermarket manufacturers are highly reputable and produce parts of equal or superior quality to OEM parts, but due diligence is always recommended when choosing parts for your vehicle.
Sunset VW in Derby always uses genuine VW parts
Genuine VW parts offer quality assurance, warranty protection, safety, longevity, increased resale value and ease of installation. The next time you need to repair your Volkswagen, opt for the more expensive option to ensure the most cost-effective, efficient and safe outcome.
Sunset VW is Derby’s family-friendly specialist Volkswagen service centre. We’ve been here for four decades, initially specialising in Beetles and camper vans and since working our way up to an all-around service garage.
From our master technicians to our apprentices and everyone in between, we pride ourselves on being approachable and thoughtful, solving your Volkswagen problems efficiently at the lowest possible price to you. This always involves using genuine parts straight from VW.
For more information on why we put such a strong emphasis on genuine VW parts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us via the phone, email, or website or by dropping in on a non-busy day.