Factory Standard SUV Parts vs. Alternatives

The standard maintenance of an SUV will occasionally require the purchase and installation of replacement SUV parts. But when shopping for replacement parts, SUV owners may notice two distinct choices available to them: standard and non-standard SUV parts. The main difference between the two is that standard parts are made by the auto maker for specific vehicles, while non-standard parts are manufactured by third-party companies after the vehicle has entered the marketplace. A second difference is usually the price: standard parts are typically noticeably more expensive than non-standard ones.

There are advantages and disadvantages to buying parts for your used SUV.

Advantages

• Parts are readily available. The rule of thumb here is that the longer an SUV model is on the market, the more spare parts and accessories are available for it. This is not only because auto manufacturers want to match the availability of parts with their expected breakdown, but used SUV owners will often sell their old SUVs for new ones and these used SUVs sometimes are cannibalized by repair shops as a source of parts.
• Parts are less expensive. You don't even need to buy brand-new parts. Save money and buy replacement parts from generic manufacturers or from a used car sales dealer for a good bargain. Generally, the quality is almost the same as that of a brand-new part. Because your SUV has been in existence for a number of years now, many manufacturers have already perfected cloning specialized parts and have successfully tested and used them with other SUVs throughout the years.
• Presence of a community for guidance. If an SUV has performed very well since its introduction, the happy owners may to form a community around the brand. Some of the more organized communities have forums available where you can post questions and answers on where to get the best deals on SUV parts and which dealers provide the best service and care.

Disadvantages

• Parts are inexpensive only to a point. Prices generally follow a U-shaped curve when it is plotted against length of ownership. The so-called "sweet-spot" regarding prices is the 10-year point where you can practically buy parts from your local wrecker for a good bargain and still get a quality product. Beyond that point the laws of supply and demand take over and prices will start to gradually increase.
• Only a few service centers may cater to older models. Along with the price disadvantage, you might find that even if you're willing to pay good money for the part, it simply is not available in your area. Auto manufacturers continuously phase out their models, either due to planned obsolescence or simply because supporting those old models are not cost effective anymore. Carefully weigh the cost between repairing your used SUV and buying a new one, especially if your SUV has already celebrated its 10th birthday.
• Be wary of dupes and fakes. This is the reason why branded SUV parts are more expensive than generic parts. You are paying for the brand which has earned enough goodwill. Because your SUV is a trustworthy brand you will find that any products of that brand of the same consistent high quality. Generic brands do not have the same clout. You are generally expected to do your due diligence and research on which dealers sell good quality parts at a good price. Be careful. You might think you have saved because you bought a clone for two-thirds of the new price, but if that clone needs another replacement in half the time, you actually lost money in the end.

While non-standard parts are generally of perfectly good quality in and of themselves, there are a number of different reasons for staying with factory standard SUV parts for your vehicle.

Resale Value
Anything you do to your SUV will affect its resale value in some way. In this case, you want to pay attention to what you do to it and what's done to it by your certified mechanic. Sticking strictly to factory standard replacement SUV parts throughout the period of time that your vehicle is under your name will help to keep its resale price up in a couple of ways:

• Replacing old parts with new ones made specifically by the auto maker for that vehicle will help ensure that your SUV stays as close as possible to the condition it was in the day you drove it out of the showroom. This will help immensely in keeping its resale price up. In general, the closer a vehicle is to "mint" condition, the higher it will sell for.
• The amount of money you put into the maintenance of your vehicle can come into play when it comes to negotiating a price from a second-hand-vehicle buyer. As factory standard SUV parts generally cost more, they can be used as a negotiating tool to get a higher price. Additionally, a list of all-standard replacement parts in itself will go a long way to convincing a buyer that the vehicle is in mint, or at least near-mint, condition. Just keep a complete record of part receipts and mechanic fees as proof.

Warranty
Depending on the conditions of your vehicle's warranty, you may be required to follow certain guidelines when it comes to maintenance. This can directly affect the parts you can use for replacements, as the company may insist that you replace damaged parts only with factory standard replacements, and doing otherwise could void your warranty. Therefore, you want to be especially vigilant of the parts your mechanic uses as replacements if your SUV is still under warranty. Be aware of the specific terms and conditions of your warranty well before you take your vehicle to the shop.

While there are claims that factory standard replacement SUV parts are of higher quality than non-standard parts, this isn't really a possible conclusion to make. Many non-standard parts are of the same, or even higher, quality as their standard counterparts. However, there are issues to keep in mind other than price and quality when selecting replacement SUV parts.