Be it replacing parts and accessories in your car or upgrading it from the base model that you have bought, the market is flooded with accessories and parts for almost all the cars plying on our roads.
Some people tend to buy base models of a car and then go on adding accessories which only the top models provide, to save a few thousand bucks.
However, when you do so, you are left to choose between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket parts.
Aftermarket parts and accessories are usually cheaper, but the price isn't the only consideration when it comes to fixing your car.
While the best thing about them is they are ridiculously cheap, after market accessories have major drawbacks as well. So much so that, some third-party accessories can even prove fatal in extreme cases.
Generic or aftermarket accessories are produced by a company other than the one that built your car. They are not used parts, in fact, they are brand-new replacements. However, since they are produced by a third-party producer rather than an OEM, they might not fit well.
The most common issue with aftermarket accessories is their wiring, which can catch fire any time. To cut cost the manufacturers use sub-standard wirings without any fail-safe mechanism like fuses, and when you connect them to your car battery, it sometimes overheats and catches fire. Almost all the cars that catch sudden fire while driving used substandard wiring from aftermarket accessories.
After Market Video Player
The most common aftermarket accessory sold now-a-days is the android player, which no base model car seems to have. The OEM video player in some brands are outrageously costly which can go north by Rs 50,000, while anyone can get a decent after market android player between Rs 15,000-25,000.
However, there is a serious issue with them. While the factory-fitted infotainment units of most cars stop video playback as soon as the car gets in motion, the non-OEM roof-mounted video players can support video playback when the vehicle is being driven. Playing a video while the car is in motion can easily divert the driver's attention and result in a fatal collision.
Aftermarket Electricals
Installing most aftermarket car accessories requires a modification in the wiring. For instance, fitting a high-output sound system with a bass tube and amplifier or installing a powerful set of headlamp bulbs requires additional wiring. The non-OEM installation can lead to excessive heating, which, in turn, is a fire hazard.
Steering Spinners
Even though steering spinners are very common, they are also very dangerous. It is highly doubtful whether aftermarket steering spinners are actually of good quality. While in use, they may break, which could result in an unintentional movement of the steering wheel. This can then result in the car losing control. Additionally, the spinner can become stuck on a loose-fitting garment and result in a loss of steering wheel control.
After Market Sun Roofs
The idea of being able to put our head out of the sunroof and feel the wind on our face while the car is in motion is enough exaggerated by the Bollywood sitcoms. In the present market scenario, many automakers provide sunroofs pre-installed on vehicles. But the problem arises when you get an aftermarket sunroof kit installed. They hamper the car’s structural airflow around the body. An aftermarket sunroof also disturbs the structural rigidity of the car making it really unsafe for passengers in the vehicle at the time of a crash.
So, the bottom line is, if you really want an android system, a sun roof or an LED projector headlamp for that matter, then it will be a lot better and safer for you to buy the top model of any car brand. They usually come factory fitted and tested for your safety. Buying a base model and then fitting aftermarket accessories can save you a few bucks but in the long run can cause hazards.