Enter the spare parts shop and ask for a club. The seller says: “I have OEM and aftermarket”. Know what a practical means OEM spare part and if it is worth making a difference? If not, this article is for you, whether you have an MAN or Volvo lorry, or a John Deere tractor.
H Tax No Kodrou & Co OE – Plastotechnics, authorised distributor ZF Sachs, Schaeffler (LuK & INA), MAHLE and MIBA in Thessaloniki since 1980, explains what is really meant by a OEM truck spare part and why it has a direct impact on the lifespan and running costs of your vehicle.
What exactly does OEM mean a spare part?
OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer — original equipment manufacturer. In the spare parts market, the term ‘OEM spare part’ refers to the part which it produces itself. original Equipment Supplier (OE/OES supplier) supplying the factory’s production line – e.g. SACHS, LuK or MAHLE – and selling it in its own packaging.
Small but important clarification: strictly technical, ‘OEM’ is the manufacturer of the vehicle itself (Volvo, MAN, Mercedes-Benz). The supplier who gives him the parts is called OE or OES supplier. In the workshop, however, the term ‘OEM spare part’ has prevailed to mean exactly that: original equipment part, by the manufacturer supplying the factory.
In practice this means:
- Same specifications as the part fitted to the production line
- Same materials and manufacturing tolerances, same quality
- Full Documentation and Authentication Capability
- Guaranteed compatibility based on original equipment number (OE number)
Example: h SACHS (ZF Group) is an original equipment supplier to heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers. The SACHS clutch disc you buy on the spare parts market is manufactured with the same original equipment specifications – often identical to the one installed on the vehicle production line.
OEM, genuine and cheap aftermarket: the three categories
This becomes the most common mistake. The ‘OEM’ it is not the opposite the ‘aftermarket’. Original equipment brands such as SACHS, LuK and MAHLE are also sold on the aftermarket – only in original equipment quality. The practical distinction is threefold:
- Authentic (OEM-branded): packaged by the vehicle manufacturer (e.g. Mercedes-Benz Genuine). It is often the same original equipment part, just more expensive.
- OEM/OE-quality: in original equipment supplier’s own packaging (SACHS, LuK, MAHLE). Same specifications, better value for money.
- Independent/cheap aftermarket: a component of a third party manufacturer, designed with copying and measurements – not based on factory specifications. Quality varies considerably.
| Criterion | Genuine | OEM/OE-quality | Cheap aftermarket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Vehicle manufacturer | Original equipment supplier | Third party manufacturer |
| Standard | Original equipment | Original equipment (same) | Based on copying, they vary |
| Prices | Highest | Logical, better value | Lower |
| Guarantee/documentation | Full | Complete (of the supplier) | Limited/unclear |
| Critical components | Suitable | Suitable | Qualified |
ZF, Schaeffler, MAHLE & MIBA: what they supply as original equipment
The brands distributed by the Tax No Kodrou & Co OE – Plastotechnics are global OEM suppliers – each in a different family of components:
- ZF Sachs — clutches, plateaux, discs, clutch bearings and hydraulic (CSC) bearings, tungsten discs and amortisers for trucks, buses and trailers.
- Schaeffler LuK — clutches, billets and integrated RepSet/RepSet PRO/RepSet DMF repair kits for trucks and agricultural machinery.
- Schaeffler INA — belt stretchers and pulleys, ball bearings and accessories for the engine component drive system (FEAD).
- MAHLE — pistons, liners, springs, valves, plain shaft bearings, filters and engine cooling/thermal management components.
- MIBA — motor cookers and friction materials incorporated into clutches and bearings made by others; hardware Original Equipment Technology.
Please note: the clutch, on black-winged Wolan and the sandwichers it is the subject of SACHS and LuK. MAHLE covers the engine (not clutches or sanders), INA the belt system, MIBA is a supplier of friction material and kitchenware media other components – you do not buy a ‘MIBA clutch’.
How do you recognise genuine OEM packaging?
Many cheap or rudimentary copies imitate the OEM appearance. Check the following authenticity marks:
- Security labels or holograms — manufacturers such as Schaeffler and ZF use them to protect against imitations.
- Number match — part number/OE number shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s official catalogue.
- Distributor certification — purchased only from an official, certified distributor.
- Authentication — via QR/DataMatrix or an application provided by the manufacturer.
More on the authenticity of products directly from manufacturers: Schaeffler Greece and ZF Aftermarket.
Which OEM spare part for which vehicle?
Each brand of truck or agricultural machinery has its original equipment suppliers. As a general guide – the exact application is always confirmed by the OE number and the list:
- Mercedes-Benz lorries: ZF Sachs (clutch), MAHLE (engine)
- Volvo/Renault Trucks: Schaeffler LuK (clutch), MAHLE (engine)
- Man trucks: ZF Sachs or LuK depending on the application, MIBA (kitchen)
- Scania: ZF Sachs, MAHLE, MIBA
- John Deere/New Holland tractor: LuK range of agricultural applications
The correct choice always depends on the OE number of the old spare part and the exact model/box. Find the right spare part for your vehicle in spare part search tool.
The Tax No Kodrou & Co OE – Plastotechnics find OEMs of truck and tractor parts from ZF Sachs and Schaeffler LuK, as well as specialised clutch reconstruction by a mission to Greece on the same day. Contact us or visit the kothrosgreece.gr.
OEM Frequently Asked Questions for Replacement Trucks
What is the difference between the OEM and the original spare part?
The OEM spare part is produced by the OEM (e.g. SACHS, LuK) and sold in its own packaging. ‘Original’ is often the same component in a vehicle manufacturer’s packaging – and usually more expensive.
Is the aftermarket part safe?
It depends on the manufacturer. Qualified Original Equipment Markers (SACHS, LuK, MAHLE) offer Original Equipment Quality. In critical parts – clutch, kitchen, heavy-duty vehicle pistons – it preferred OEM/OE-quality and avoided cheap copies of unknown origin.
Where do I buy OEM truck spare parts in Greece?
By an official distributor. Father’s name: Komi & SIA O.E. – Plastotechnics is an official distributor of ZF Sachs, Schaeffler (LuK & INA), MAHLE and MIBA, based in Thessaloniki and sent on the same day throughout Greece.
What is OE number?
The OE (Original Equipment Number) is the part code as defined by the original equipment manufacturer. It is the only reliable way to confirm that you are buying the right spare part for your specific vehicle and box.
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