Using Toyota OEM Parts
Should you use cheaper generic automobile parts? This article will tell you what you need to know about the importance of using Toyota OEM parts. For those who might not know, OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Many people today believe in saving a buck wherever possible without considering the consequences of going generic. Generic may be okay for medicine, but when it comes to automobiles, it’s a horse of a different color. Back in 1999, one prominent automobile insurance company lost a $1.2 billion lawsuit for requiring that repairs be made using generic parts instead of OEM parts. This may seem extreme, but once you read the rest of the article, you might change your mind.
First of all, let’s discuss the money. There are many generic parts available at cheaper prices that some Toyota OEM parts. However, if you don’t use Toyota genuine parts, you could be losing your warranty. It is common practice for manufacturers of all types of equipment, including cars, to void the warranty and not cover the cost of repair if they find generic parts. Why? Because the generic parts have not been tested by Toyota and therefore they could have caused the problem. It would not be fair to expect a manufacturer to be responsible for repairs that might have been caused by faulty generic parts. Actually, using genuine Toyota parts could save you money in the future. Read more…