Main dealer - OEM parts

[speedking31]

If you get your car serviced at a franchised main dealer for the same brand should they always use OEM parts for service items? e.g. Ford oil filter not aftermarket or unbranded?

Is that just an expectation, or is it written somewhere? I would expect that's part of why you pay extra and why a car with full dealer service history is worth a bit more.

[MJK 24]

You'd like to think so!

They are generally free to use any oil that meets manufacturers spec though.

[Feirny]

Or they'll use the cheapest they can get. I know this from experience after working at a motor factors for a length of time.

[speedking31]

So there are no 'rules' then? I'm surprised that the manufacturer doesn't insist on the use of OEM parts as part of the franchise conditions.

[bitchstewie]

I don't know this for a fact but common sense says most will have rules.

I've been told by various dealers that if you're a Mercedes main dealer they even dictate that you have to buy things like stepladders from certain sources, and in a shared Kia/Hyundai dealership Hyundai have decreed that a certain number of ramps are dedicated to them and cannot be used for Kia work even if they're totally empty.

When you have marques doing things like that it would, to me, seem a little odd if they let a dealer choose which filters and plugs and the likes to use.

[Debaser]

They should, but they don't always..

[750turbo]

As a rule, the "Dealer Agreement" will insist on using OEM Parts, anyone not adhering to this "may" bear the wrath of an Area Manager/Rep if they get caught.

Saying that, as has been mentioned, I am sure that one or two may bend the rules a little!

As Dealer Management Systems become ever more integrated with the Manufacturers, a lot now send daily/monthly data extracts of various things, parts movements just being one of them. (I am involved in this at work).

I am not saying that they fully interrogate this, and act on it though...

[spaximus]

The rule will be OEM parts, however, if there is a shortage, which does happen they will use Equivalent parts.

On used cars the rules do not apply from memory