Pattern, OE or genuine: which part should you buy?

Genuine means made by the carmaker, OE means made by the original supplier without the carmaker's badge, and pattern means an aftermarket copy. All three have their place, but for a part where fit and finish matter, a genuine used part gives you carmaker quality at a used price. Here is what each term means and when to choose it.

What is a genuine part?

A genuine part carries the carmaker's branding and is sold through their dealer network. It is the exact part your car left the factory with. Bought new it is the most expensive option, but bought used, from a broken car, it is the same factory part for a fraction of the cost.

What does OE mean?

OE, or original equipment, is the part made by the same supplier that produced it for the carmaker, but sold without the car badge. It is built to the same specification, often on the same line, and is usually cheaper than the branded genuine version. The quality is effectively the same.

What about pattern parts?

Pattern parts are aftermarket copies made by other manufacturers. They are the cheapest option and quality varies widely, from very good to poor. For some service items they are fine; for panels, lights and anything where exact fit or finish matters, they can disappoint.

So which should I buy?

For body panels, lights, mirrors and trim, a genuine used part is usually the smart buy: factory fit and finish without the new price. For a one-off service item a good pattern part may do. When you want the original part your car was built with, used genuine gives you that and the saving together.

Buy with confidence

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