Headlights Blog

OEM vs. Aftermarket Headlights for Your Car: How to Choose

Headlights are a regular maintenance item that should be checked quite often to ensure safety, reliability, and flawless operation whenever they are needed. It’s not only dangerous, but also illegal to drive with a malfunctioning headlight. If you have deemed a headlight to be broken, faulty, or needing replacement, there are two options for a replacement: OEM Headlights (which come at a high price), or aftermarket headlights. This article aims to describe the difference between the two and help cut a clearer picture.

What Are OEM Headlights?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, meaning that the headlights are made by the same company that supplies the vehicle manufacturer’s factory.

Pros:
The functionality, quality, and reliability of OEM headlights will be completely equal to your original ones. However nowhere on the headlights will you find the Chevy, Dodge, or Ford logo. OEM replacement headlights have the same fit and finish as the ones that came on a car when it drove off the dealership lot.

Cons:
OEM headlights are much more expensive than aftermarket headlights. Dealers and resellers of OEM parts have always striven to markup prices, usually around 50-75% higher than the actual cost. These premiums go further than just the cost of the headlight, but also are reflected in the service cost of replacing the headlamp and replacement parts within the headlight.

The strongest reason for people to buy OEM headlights is the peace of mind they get from purchasing a pair of headlights that is guaranteed to fit. However, many studies have determined that there is little-to-no difference in quality between OEM and aftermarket headlights. Many independent businesses have taken it upon themselves to use the OEM headlight as a starting point and improve on the design, whether it be installing projectors that can handle LED’s, adding more features, or building a brighter and better headlight.

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What Are Aftermarket Headlights?

Aftermarket means a product that isn’t from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) but works in place of it. Aftermarket headlights are made by different companies than your car's maker.

Aftermarket headlights shouldn’t be confused with headlight bulbs. Every headlight contains three components: a lamp holder, lenses, and reflectors to do its job effectively. Headlight bulbs usually aren’t included in these categories because they are replaced much more frequently than other headlight components.

Pros:
Dependent on multiple factors, aftermarket headlights are usually less expensive than OEM as most retailers try to offer an affordable and competitive alternative. Pricing for aftermarket headlights can also vary depending on the retailer, with some willing to offer discounts, and others adding larger markups. If you’re looking for a good deal within your budget, research is very important and suppliers like Vehicleaid help you save money by insisting on direct distribution. Shopping online at vehicleaid.com may be an option for you!

In addition to a lower price, aftermarket headlights are just as reliable as OEM headlights. Years ago, when the aftermarket first began to compete with OEM suppliers, some manufacturers may have compromised quality to be price-competitive. This was often done to attract customers who were historically loyal to OEM headlights. Today, many of the aftermarket suppliers realize the importance of quality, and you can find reliable, cost-effective, and bright headlights from many sellers that are close competitors to their OEM counterparts. In fact, there are even some aftermarket suppliers who have made it a selling point to state that their aftermarket headlights are superior to OEM ones, particularly if those OEM headlights have some known issues.

Cons:
Most aftermarket suppliers produce excellent quality headlights, however, there are bound to be some of lower quality among the thousands of suppliers. Headlight assemblies with inferior materials may melt, work intermittently, or randomly fail to turn on. Failed headlights will put you at risk on the road at night, and it pays to do research to determine who are the trusted manufacturers in the aftermarket industry. Vehicleaid is one of the very few sellers who designs and manufactures reliable and high-quality headlights on their own, thanks to the supply chain that works closely alongside them. All Vehicleaid headlights are made of premium and durable materials and undergo rigorous tests to meet or exceed your expectations.

Some aftermarket headlight suppliers may not come with a warranty to keep costs down, and others may offer limited short-term warranties. Fortunately, Vehicleaid provides a no-hassle 30-day return service, as well as a 1-year warranty.

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OEM or Aftermarket Headlights: Which One Is Best?

If you prefer the comfort of having replacement headlights made by the same manufacturers who provide original parts for your car and don't mind the extra expense, OEM headlights may be the best choice for you. For some purists, this may be incredibly important and worth any cost discrepancy.

The lower cost and high quality of aftermarket headlights make them an appealing option for many. If you're not picky about the brand and you're looking to save money, aftermarket headlights are a better option for you.

To determine which set you should purchase, weigh the pros/cons against each other before purchasing replacement headlights for your car. If you are looking for superior-quality aftermarket headlights, then look no further than Vehicleaid; we are here to help find you the best set of headlamps possible. With nearly a decade of experience in the aftermarket auto parts industry, Vehicleaid can assure you that the headlights they carry are of the highest quality with the best prices suitable for your vehicle.

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