How to Spot Genuine OEM Excavator Parts (And Avoid Costly Fakes)
- RALPH COPE
- Aug 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 23
When you’ve got iron on the ground and a deadline to hit, your excavator doesn’t care whether the part inside is OEM or a cheap knockoff—until it fails. And when it fails, it’s not just a minor inconvenience. It’s a breakdown. A costly halt. A subcontractor throwing a fit. A client docking your pay.
At Vikfin, we’ve seen how one fake part—just one—can sideline an entire operation. And we’re not just talking about grey imports or no-name bits off the internet. We’re talking about counterfeit parts designed to look OEM but which fail miserably under pressure.
Whether you run a fleet of 20 machines or a single digger on a tight budget, this guide is for you. We’ll show you how to identify genuine OEM excavator parts, avoid scams, and make sure your machines run reliably—and profitably.
🔧 What Exactly Is an OEM Excavator Part?
First things first. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. These are the parts made by:
The original brand (like Volvo, Komatsu, Doosan, Hyundai, Hitachi), or
Approved subcontractors that manufacture to the brand’s exact specs and tolerances.
OEM parts are:
Designed specifically for the make and model of your machine
Built from tested, high-quality materials
Subject to rigorous quality control
Supported by manufacturer-level data and documentation
In other words, they are what your machine was designed to use.
Now, let’s break down the types of parts floating in the market:
💀 The Risks of Counterfeit and Inferior Parts
Why are fake parts such a problem? Because they look good—until they’re in the machine.
We’ve seen:
Hydraulic pumps that fail at half pressure
Final drives that explode under moderate torque
Turbochargers that disintegrate internally
Cylinder heads with air bubbles inside castings
Not only do these parts fail quickly, but they often damage other components during the failure. That’s not just a part replacement. That’s a repair bill—plus downtime, lost contracts, and reputation damage.
“Buy cheap, buy twice” doesn’t cut it. In this industry, buy cheap, lose everything might be more accurate.
🚩 8 Telltale Signs of a Fake or Inferior Excavator Part
Knowing how to spot a genuine OEM part can save you hundreds of thousands over the lifetime of your machine. Here’s what to look out for:
1. Price That’s Too Good to Be True
Let’s be blunt: OEM parts aren’t cheap. They’re engineered. If someone’s selling a final drive for R15,000 when the going OEM rate is R40,000—it’s not the same thing.
Discounts are fine. Scam pricing isn’t.
2. Missing or Fake Branding
OEM parts are marked by the manufacturer—cast into the body, etched with a laser, or stamped with a serial.
You should see:
The brand name (e.g. VOLVO, KOMATSU)
A part number (e.g. VOE 14577761)
A serial or batch code
Sometimes a QR code for tracking
Fakes may use:
Stickers that peel off
Vague branding like “Komatu” or “Hitachy”
No markings at all
3. Rough Machining and Poor Finishing
OEM parts are engineered to tight tolerances. That means no burrs, pitted castings, or misaligned bolt holes.
Red flags:
Porous casting (looks like bubbles or craters)
Sharp, unclean edges
Poor-quality paint or surface rust on "new" parts
Paint slapped over a flaw to hide it
4. Inaccurate Fitment
A genuine part fits like a glove. If you’re grinding edges, hammering it into place, or fighting to align bolt holes, something’s wrong.
One operator told us he had to cut and re-weld brackets to fit a “compatible” part. It lasted 3 days.
5. No Paper Trail
Every OEM part has a trail—where it came from, what machine it came off, what condition it’s in.
When the seller says:
“Don’t worry about that”
“It’s universal”
“It’ll fit anything”
“It’s OEM-like”
...run. A proper supplier gives you part numbers, photos, condition reports, and compatibility info.
6. Too Much “Universal Fit” Language
There’s no such thing as a true universal fit in heavy machinery. Even between models of the same brand, dimensions, pressure ratings, gear ratios, and hydraulic port sizes vary.
If a seller says their final drive fits Volvo, Doosan, Komatsu and Hitachi, they’re either lying—or they’re selling garbage.
7. No Warranty, No Returns
Even used OEM parts from a reputable supplier should come with some form of warranty or guarantee.
If the seller says:
“Once it’s out the door, it’s yours”—They’re admitting it might not work.
8. Vague or No Photos
If you’re buying online and all you see is a stock photo or blurry image, it means:
The part isn’t in their possession
The condition is questionable
Or it’s bait-and-switch
At Vikfin, we post real, high-res photos of every part—what you see is what you get.
🛠️ Why Used OEM Parts Are Still the Smartest Investment
Some people hesitate to buy used. But when you get used OEM parts from a trusted source, here’s what you’re really getting:
Top-tier engineering at a fraction of the cost
Proven performance—these parts were on working machines
Lower risk than aftermarket or fakes
Availability for older machines (where new parts may be discontinued)
You save money without compromising your machine’s integrity.
At Vikfin, we don’t just yank a part off a wreck and list it. We:
Inspect and clean each part
Test mechanical components like pumps and motors where possible
Document wear and tear
Back it with knowledge—we tell you what it fits and what it doesn’t
🔎 Real-World Example: A R5,000 Part That Saved R120,000
One of our customers, a plant hire operator in the Eastern Cape, had a Volvo EC210B with a faulty swing motor. Volvo quoted R137,000 for a new OEM replacement.
Instead, he contacted us. We sourced a tested used OEM swing motor, pulled from a similar machine, for R17,000—with full photos, inspection report, and serial verification.
He installed it in a day, was back on site in two, and hasn’t had a problem since.
Had he tried to cut corners with a knockoff? That swing system could’ve grenaded under load—and cost him the whole upper structure.
✅ How Vikfin Ensures You Get Genuine Used OEM Parts
Here’s what sets us apart from the sea of shady part dealers and faceless online shops:
🏗️ 1. We Dismantle Our Own Machines
We strip excavators ourselves, so we know where each part came from, what condition it’s in, and what it fits.
🧪 2. Every Part Is Inspected
We check for cracks, warping, gear wear, seal damage, corrosion, and surface fatigue.
🔍 3. We Log Serial Numbers and Photos
You get real-world visuals and data—not vague promises.
📦 4. Accurate Fitment Advice
Not sure if a part fits your model? Just send us the serial plate and we’ll check compatibility—no guesswork.
🤝 5. Honesty Over Hype
If we think your machine would be better off with a new part, we’ll tell you. If something looks borderline, we’ll show you. We don’t sugarcoat.
📣 Final Thoughts: Trust the Part, Trust the Partner
You’re not just buying metal. You’re buying uptime. Performance. Peace of mind.
And in this business, your reputation depends on your machine's reliability. One fake part can undo months of hard work.
So here’s the bottom line:
Buy OEM when possible.
Used OEM is often better than new aftermarket.
Know your seller.
Ask questions.
Check photos.
Demand documentation.
Don’t be cheap—be smart.
If you're ever unsure, talk to us. We're not just here to sell parts—we’re here to keep your machine moving.
📞 Ready to Talk Excavator Parts?
Whether you need a final drive, boom cylinder, swing motor, or a complete Volvo Penta engine, we’ve got used OEM parts that work as hard as you do.
👉 Visit www.vikfin.co.za📲 Call or WhatsApp us anytime.We ship anywhere in South Africa.
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