Are OEM O2 Sensors Better Than Aftermarket?
There are many options when shopping for replacement car parts, especially oxygen sensors. With a sea of aftermarket options at attractive price points, it's easy to get lost selecting a replacement part. The main things to look for in a replacement part are cost, quality, and fitment. The intersection of those three things is an OEM part.
OEM oxygen sensors are made by the same manufacturer as your vehicle. To learn more about oxygen sensors, read this post. It is the original equipment that your vehicle came with. The materials, fitment, and quality are all identical to the part you are replacing.
Aftermarket oxygen sensors are produced by private companies. They design their parts on their own and select materials at their discretion. This allows them to price their components competitively, however, at the cost of quality and sometimes, fitment.
An OEM replacement oxygen sensor is what is best for your Subaru because:
You Know What To Expect With An OEM Oxygen Sensor
When it comes to replacement parts, many aftermarket companies use subpar materials in order to keep costs lower. In addition, they design certain replacement parts such as oxygen sensors as generic. This means buyers may need to do some extra work with wiring to ensure proper fitment.
An OEM Subaru oxygen sensor is designed to be plug and play. It is a product that was specifically designed and developed for your Subaru engine. With an OEM oxygen sensor, you don't have to worry about fitment, compatibility, or functionality. It is the same component your car came with out of the factory.
OEM Oxygen Sensors Are Easy To Source
Sourcing an OEM part is easy. Subaru, like many automakers, assigns a part number to all of their parts. This makes looking for parts very easy. You can look up your part number online in a Subaru parts catalog or in a search engine. Additionally, you can go to the dealership parts counter and purchase or order the parts there. You can also find OEM oxygen sensors on our site.
Finding an aftermarket oxygen sensor is a chore. The first step is finding all the aftermarket brands that sell oxygen sensors for your Subaru. The next step is figuring out what their part number for the compatible part is. You also have to research what each manufacturer's warranties are like in case the product is defective. Selecting the right brand is difficult. You have to read through reviews, and see what products are in inventory and what retailers they are sold through. It is a complicated process for a simple part.
OEM Oxygen Sensors Save You Money Over Time
Like with other parts, such as brake rotors, OEM is always better. Reviews online report that aftermarket oxygen sensors fail sooner than the original OEM part did. If your OEM part fails prematurely, it is backed by the manufacturer's 12 month warranty. If your aftermarket part fails, however, you can only get recourse if they offer a warranty.
Most aftermarket parts manufacturers do not offer warranties on parts at all. If your aftermarket part were to fail prematurely out of warranty, you have no choice other than to buy another part.
Overall, buying an OEM oxygen sensor is a better and safer investment than an aftermarket one. It is less likely to fail, designed to work on your vehicle specifically, and is backed by the manufacturer's warranty.
Subaru Parts Plus sells OEM Subaru parts backed by Subaru's manufacturer warranty. All of our staff are passionate Subaru enthusiasts with years of parts knowledge and experience. Contact us via our online form or call us at 1-888-294-4979.