GENUINE VS CHEAP PARTS: HOW PARTS QUALITY IMPACTS SAFETY AND RESALE VALUE IN THE UAE MARKET

Why this question comes up so often in the UAE

Owning a car in the UAE can be expensive, especially if you drive a premium or performance model. Labour isn’t cheap, and some genuine parts can be priced high. So it’s natural for owners to ask: “Can I save money with cheaper parts?” On top of that, the local market is full of options – genuine parts, OEM, aftermarket, reconditioned, “Taiwan made”, and sometimes parts that are simply fake. Without a clear strategy, it’s easy to either overspend on things that don’t need to be original or to cut corners in places where quality really matters.

The goal isn’t to say “always buy genuine, no matter what.” Realistically, not everyone wants or needs that. The smarter approach is to understand where part quality has a direct impact on safety, reliability and resale value, and where high-quality alternatives can be perfectly acceptable. Once you know the difference, you can save money in the right places without turning your car into a risk.

What “genuine”, “OEM” and “aftermarket” actually mean

These words get used loosely, so let’s clarify them. A genuine part is one sold under the car manufacturer’s brand and part number. An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part is made by the same company that supplies parts to the car manufacturer but sold under the OEM’s own brand. An aftermarket part is made by a third-party company that is not the original supplier; quality can range from excellent to terrible.

In many cases, OEM parts are practically identical to genuine parts in terms of quality because they come from the same factory. The main difference is the box and sometimes the price. Good aftermarket brands can also perform very well, especially for wear-and-tear items like some suspension components. The danger is with no-name or counterfeit parts that just copy the look of the original without matching the materials and testing.

Safety-critical parts where you should not compromise

Some parts are directly linked to your ability to steer, stop and survive a crash. These are not the place to chase the lowest price. Brake pads and discs, brake hoses, steering components, airbag sensors and seat-belt systems all fall into this category. Poor-quality brakes can fade, crack, or wear out unevenly, especially under high-speed GCC driving. Cheap steering components can develop play and cause instability. With safety systems, you often don’t know anything is wrong until something fails in an emergency, which is the worst time to find out.

For these kinds of parts, genuine or high-quality OEM is usually the safest choice. If your workshop suggests a cheaper alternative, ask them specifically which brand it is, whether they have used it long-term, and what kind of warranty they offer. If they can’t answer clearly, that’s a red flag.

Parts that can be safely downgraded – if you choose wisely

There are areas where a smart choice of aftermarket parts can save money without compromising safety. For example, some suspension parts, bushings, engine mounts and body panels can be sourced from reputable aftermarket brands at lower cost. Filters (air, cabin, sometimes oil) can also be good candidates, as long as the brand is known and meets the required specification.

In these cases, the key is to stay away from unknown products just because they are cheaper. Look for brands with a track record in Europe, Japan or North America, not random names that only exist in discount catalogues. A good workshop will have experience with certain aftermarket suppliers and should be honest about where they have seen good results and where they have had problems.

How cheap parts can cost more over time

On paper, saving 30–50% on a part sounds tempting. But if that part wears out twice as fast, fails unexpectedly or causes damage to other components, the total cost of ownership goes up. Imagine fitting very cheap suspension arms that last a year instead of three, or fitting poor-quality engine mounts that start vibrating after a few months. You pay labour again, lose time without the car, and end up buying the part twice.

Worse, some parts can cause knock-on damage. A low-quality timing belt or tensioner failure can destroy an engine. A cheap water pump can leak and cause overheating. A poor-quality sensor can send wrong signals that lead to engine misfires, increased fuel consumption or damage to the catalytic converter. In these cases, the “saving” on the part is tiny compared to the repair bill.

The impact on reliability and daily peace of mind

Part of what you pay for with genuine and top-tier OEM parts is predictability. They have to meet strict standards and work over a wide range of conditions. In the UAE, where temperatures are high and rubber and plastic parts age quickly, this matters even more. Knowing that critical components have been tested for heat, vibration and long-term durability can give you real peace of mind.

On the other hand, filling your car with unknown parts means accepting more risk. The car might run fine most of the time, but sudden failures become more likely. If you do long trips between emirates, drive with family on board or rely heavily on your car for work, this extra uncertainty is not worth it.

How part quality affects resale value in the UAE

When it’s time to sell your car, serious buyers and dealers will look closely at service history and invoices. A well-documented record of services done with genuine or respected OEM parts makes a strong impression. It signals that you cared about the car and didn’t cut corners. That can translate into a higher resale price and a quicker sale, especially for premium and performance models.

If a buyer sees lots of invoices with random, no-name parts, they may assume other shortcuts were taken as well. They might worry about hidden problems or future repairs and either walk away or negotiate harder. In a market like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, where competition in the used car space is strong, a good maintenance history is one of your best tools for standing out.

Spotting counterfeit or very low-quality parts

Counterfeit parts are a real problem in many markets. They are designed to look like genuine parts, sometimes even copying the box and labels, but they don’t match the quality. It’s hard for an owner to spot them, which is why choosing the right supplier and workshop is so important. Warning signs can include suspiciously low prices, poor packaging, missing holograms or security marks, and parts that feel lighter, rougher or badly finished.

If you buy parts yourself, stick to trusted channels and avoid deals that seem too good to be true. If your workshop supplies the parts, ask them where they source them and whether they stand behind them with a warranty. Honest garages won't mind these questions.

Building a smart parts strategy for your car

A sensible strategy might look like this: always insist on genuine or top-tier OEM parts for brakes, steering, safety systems, timing components, cooling system parts and critical sensors. For other areas like some suspension parts, filters and cosmetic items, consider high-quality aftermarket options that your workshop trusts and has used successfully. If you drive a premium car and care about top resale value, leaning more heavily toward genuine parts makes sense. If you drive something older and want to control costs, carefully chosen aftermarket parts can be part of the plan.

The main thing is to avoid chasing the absolute lowest price with no thought about consequences. In the UAE climate, cheap parts often show their true cost quickly.