If you're looking to replace parts on your vehicle due to repairs without insurance involvement or car modifications, you'll typically have two options — aftermarket parts or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. The difference between the two is the manufacturer — aftermarket parts come from a third-party manufacturer, while OEM parts come straight from the vehicle's original manufacturer.
There's a common perception that OEM parts are better than aftermarket parts because they come from the original manufacturer. In reality, you can find aftermarket parts that are just as good or even better than the equivalent OEM part — the quality ultimately comes down to the manufacturer.