What is the usual customer response when an automotive technician advises them that the alternator on their car needs to be replaced and provides a cost estimate?
Typically, it's that the price seems like a lot of money, and the customer usually wonders if the job could somehow be done for less.
They might even look in the local newspaper and see someone advertising replacement alternators for sale at a price much lower than that quoted by the technician.
The advertisement states that a “genuine replacement” alternator is on sale for a lot less and comes with a 90-day warranty. Is the customer being ripped off by the technician?
This scenario takes place on a regular basis. What the customer in this situation often does not realize is that this is not just an issue of price - it is also an issue of quality.
Options for Spare Parts shoppers
Car owners naturally want to keep their running expenses low. Catering to this market is a growing number of manufacturers producing replacement parts for late-model vehicles.
The customer has several options for replacement parts, including;
- replacement alternators made by the manufacturer of the vehicle,
- replacement alternators made by another manufacturer, and
- rebuilt alternators.
These replacement parts sell for prices that are lower than those charged by the original equipment manufacturers. However, they are not always manufactured to the same levels of quality.
Externally most replacement parts for a particular make and model of vehicle look pretty much alike, with the same connections, markings, and castings. The materials used and the internal construction of the cheaper parts explains the price difference.
As one article on this subject tells us: “The components that lack quality need to be replaced very often and are highly unreliable. At times, they may cease to work when the vehicle depends on it to the maximum extent.” (Omniglot.com, ‘Cheap Auto Parts’, accessed 23 April 2010)
This is not to say that only part made by the vehicle’s manufacturer are acceptable. Many replacement parts made in Europe and Asia are made to a high quality standard and sell for affordable prices.
Evaluating Aftermarket Replacement Parts
A good rule of thumb to follow when evaluating aftermarket replacement parts is to look for consistency in price, a valid warranty, product specifications, and manufacturer.
- Consistency in Price: The price for a particular part is largely a reflection of the quality of the materials and workmanship that go into it. Be wary of drastic differences. A higher price doesn’t always mean higher quality but if it’s a lot cheaper it can often mean inferior quality.
- Valid Warranty: A manufacturer’s warranty is only as good as the manufacturer backing it up. Make sure it is a solid company and that the warranty is comparable to other respected manufacturers' warranties.
- Product Specifications: Just because it looks the same doesn't mean it is the same. The specifications tell exactly what the product can do. If it does not meet the needs of the vehicle, then don’t expect it to be a satisfactory replacement.
- Manufacturer: This factor is especially important with respect to quality. Some companies cut costs and as a result produce products that are inferior in design and/or materials. This greatly reduces the durability factor of their parts.
Beware of Counterfeit Auto Parts
Another thing to look out for is counterfeit parts – allegedly made by a big-name manufacturer but in fact poorly made and given false labelling.
Renault’s director of quality and service, Jean Francois Martin, says that about 10% of parts sold as being made by Renault are counterfeit: “On the original piece, the unique number is embossed, while on the counterfeit product, the code is printed or non-existent.
“Hologram labels (on) counterfeit components appear in many colors, while the original label logo highlights Dacia blue.” (automotogadgets.com, ‘Cheap Euro Aftermarket Auto Parts’, accessed 22 April 2010)
If in doubt, go for a manufacturer whose name you know and ask for advice from your automotive technician before you make the purchase.
Poorly-made replacements parts, whether counterfeit or not, pose safety hazards. Cary Lockwood an automotive consumer advocate with over 30 years in the auto industry as an engineering technician, outlines the problem: “With price as their only concern, they are putting the lives and safety (of many) at risk.
“Failure of inferior parts such as brakes can certainly cause injury or death of the occupants of a vehicle or perhaps be a significant hazard to other drivers or pedestrians who share the roadways.”
(Cheap Auto Parts are Hazardous, yourautonetwork.com, accessed 22 April 2010)
Lockwood highlights poorly-made brake parts, tires, filters, hoses and drive belts as the types of products posing safety hazards if they fail in use.
Aftermarket parts when put into service should match up to the expectations of the original equipment parts. Paying a lower price for poor-quality replacement parts is not only false economy; it’s also a safety risk.
A successful repair needs good quality parts that meet manufacturer's specifications with fair warranties. In return, car owners should expect to pay a price that's reasonable - not cheap.
Philip Keeffe - Phil Keeffe is an Australian journalist originally from California who has lived in Sydney since 1968. His communications background ...
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