The Future of Heavy Equipment Parts: Why Used OEM Is Becoming the New Normal

RALPH COPE
Sep 17
4 min read

1. Introduction — A Market in Flux

Ten years ago, contractors in South Africa hardly thought twice: if a major component failed, you ordered a brand-new OEM replacement. Maybe, if you were under pressure, you gambled on aftermarket. Used OEM was an afterthought.

Fast forward to 2025: supply chains are fragile, OEM prices have doubled, and clients are demanding sustainability. The used OEM market isn’t a sideshow anymore — it’s moving centre stage. This post explains why and what it means for your business.

2. What’s Driving the Shift

Several powerful forces are converging:

Cost inflation: Steel, copper, and energy prices have pushed OEM parts through the roof.
Supply chain delays: Global shipping bottlenecks mean months-long waits for some components.
Sustainability pressure: Large clients and regulators want lower carbon footprints.
Technology: Better testing and tracking of used components reduces risk.

Add these up and you get a new normal where tested used OEM parts are the logical choice.

3. The Economics — When New OEM Stops Making Sense

A new final drive at R400,000. A new hydraulic pump at R450,000. A new swing motor at R300,000. With machine resale values under pressure, in many cases the replacement cost exceeds the book value of the machine. Used OEM solves this:

40–60% lower price than new.
Immediate availability in many cases.
OEM engineering quality without the markup.

4. Supply Chain Reality — Faster Is the Only Option

The last few years taught contractors a hard lesson: if you don’t have the part, your machine isn’t earning. Waiting six weeks for a new OEM pump can cost more than the pump itself in lost production. Used OEM parts already in country or on your own shelf are becoming a competitive advantage.

5. Quality Improvements — From “Scrapyard” to “Certified”

The used OEM industry has matured:

Suppliers now test flow, pressure, backlash, and compression.
Digital records and barcodes track each part’s history.
Refurbishment standards approach factory reman levels.

That’s why more fleet managers now treat tested used OEM as a mainstream option rather than a risk.

6. Sustainability — From Nice-to-Have to Requirement

Manufacturing new heavy equipment components is energy-hungry and carbon-intensive. Reusing OEM parts:

Cuts CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to new.
Reduces demand for virgin metals.
Keeps tonnes of steel and copper out of landfills.

Large corporate and public-sector clients increasingly ask contractors to document their environmental policies. Being able to say you prioritise used OEM parts is an easy win.

7. Technology Trends — Digital Passports and Predictive Maintenance

Expect to see:

Component “passports”: Hours, test results, rebuilds, and CO₂ footprint logged and accessible.
Predictive analytics: Using machine data to forecast part failure and pre-order replacements.
Online marketplaces: Instant search for tested used OEM parts worldwide.

Contractors already comfortable with used OEM will be ahead of the curve when these become standard.

8. Contractor Behaviour Is Changing

What we’re seeing at Vikfin mirrors global trends:

Small contractors stocking their own tested used OEM spares.
Large fleets signing standing agreements for used OEM supply.
Aftermarket buyers moving up to used OEM for reliability.

The stigma is gone; the logic has taken over.

9. How to Position Your Business for the New Normal

Practical steps:

Audit your fleet and identify high-risk components.
Build relationships with reputable used OEM suppliers now.
Start a parts shelf with one or two critical spares.
Track hours and plan replacements proactively.
Market your sustainability story to clients.

10. Case Study — A Contractor Ahead of the Curve

A Mpumalanga civils firm embraced used OEM early. They now stock four travel motors, two hydraulic pumps, and assorted swing motors — all tested OEM. Downtime down 70%, part spend down 35%, and they routinely use their sustainability policy as a differentiator in tenders.

11. OEMs Are Taking Notice

Even the big OEMs are moving toward remanufacturing and certified used programs. They see the writing on the wall: the future isn’t just selling new parts, it’s keeping components in service longer. That validates what contractors have been doing with suppliers like Vikfin for years.

12. The Big Picture — Circular Economy in Heavy Equipment

The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of raw materials. By shifting to tested used OEM components, we:

Extend machine life.
Reduce waste.
Lower costs.
Meet client sustainability targets.

It’s not a trend; it’s a fundamental change.

13. Common Myths to Leave Behind

“Used means risky.” — Not with documented testing and warranty.
“Clients don’t care.” — Many now demand sustainability metrics.
“Aftermarket is cheaper.” — It can be, but the downtime risk often dwarfs any savings.

14. Looking Ahead — What the Next Five Years Will Bring

More online transparency of used OEM inventory.
Tighter integration between fleet maintenance software and parts suppliers.
Broader acceptance of used OEM in financing and insurance.

Being ready for that future means starting now.

15. Conclusion — The New Normal Is Here

The old model of “new OEM or nothing” is dead. Tested used OEM parts are:

Reliable.
Affordable.
Available.
Sustainable.

Contractors who embrace this shift will cut costs, cut downtime, and win more work. Contractors who don’t will be left waiting for overpriced parts while their machines sit idle.

At Vikfin we’ve built our whole business around this future. We source, test, and stock OEM components so you can stay ahead — not just patching machines but running a smarter, greener, more profitable fleet.

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