Honda Car Forum

honda oem what does it mean why are those parts so expensive?

OEM = original equipment manufacturer parts designed to fit your vehicle as they would at the factory, up to factory specs. Not selling to masses a "part that is close to orignial" You generally get better quality from OEM.

Original equipment manufacture.It's a long boat ride.

"OEM" is Original Equipment Manufacturer. They are so expensive because they meet 100% of Honda's specification. However, that does not necessarily mean they are the best parts. Technology and engineering advance rapidly. A non-oem manufacturer may have a better part. Researching your options is the only answer to which part will serve you better.

"OEM" is pretty wel covered by others befroe me, - however the reason the parts are so expensive, is because there is a very high "duty charge" upon entry in the USA, - then there is the expense to get them to US, and expense to get them to your dealer (agency,-garage, -parts house)! I don't know the exact charge at this time. bit a few years ago, I saw an article on expense between manufacturer, and user, - and it is as much as 200% of what their origional part costs, - plus sometimes an aditional 40% for dealer or machanic "shop markup"! The duty is to "protect" US manufacturers. The "markups" happen so everybody that handles them makes a living, and shipping and freight pepole make a living doing this too!This is why your "$35 head gasket set" costs $180. Now some "after market" manufacture-ers make parts here (and in Mexico mostly), so freight and duty is a whole lot less, and the parts "aren't OEM" - however they may be as good or possibly better in some instances! You pay a little extra to have "HONDA" printed on the boxes! They are all made in the same places as the parts on the car (good or bad!!) Yes I have had "bad parts" from "OEM", and "aftermarket" manufactureres! Right out of box, - right out of "distributers stock". So nothing is perfect!!

it means original equipment manufacturer and these parts are straight from the factory