What is OEM (original equipment manufacturer)?

The term 'OEM' or original equipment manufacturer is applied broadly whenever talking about a vehicle part that's been officially produced by the vehicle's original manufacturer. For example, if you need a new set of brake pads for your Toyota Corolla, you can go to the Toyota dealership and they'll fit the exact brake pads recommended for your car.

OEM parts are distinct from aftermarket parts, which might look the same and do the same job, but they'll come from a different parts manufacturer and may have variations in their design or materials. If you're not looking for a specific aftermarket part to improve a certain aspect of your car, we'd suggest always selecting genuine OEM replacement parts for your car where possible.