Used OEM vs Aftermarket Excavator Parts: The Numbers Nobody Talks About
- RALPH COPE
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever compared prices between used OEM excavator parts and new aftermarket parts, you’ve probably had the same reaction everyone does:
“How the hell can this be so much cheaper?”
And then comes the dangerous follow-up thought:
“Is this thing going to last… or is it going to cost me more in the long run?”
In South Africa’s construction, mining, and earthmoving industries, this decision isn’t theoretical. It’s financial survival. Downtime kills margins. Repeat failures kill businesses.
This article breaks down the real numbers nobody likes to talk about—lifespan, failure rates, downtime costs, resale impact, and total cost per operating hour—so you can make decisions based on reality, not marketing brochures.
The Three Choices Everyone Pretends Are Equal
When an excavator part fails, you really have three options:
New OEM part (best quality, brutal price)
New aftermarket part (cheap upfront, unknown long-term)
Used OEM part (middle ground most people misunderstand)
New OEM is the gold standard—but often financially irrational on older machines.
Aftermarket looks attractive on a quote but hides risk. Used OEM sits in the uncomfortable middle where smart operators quietly save money.
Let’s talk numbers.
Purchase Price: The Only Number Most People Look At
This is where aftermarket wins—on paper.
Typical South African pricing ranges:
New OEM hydraulic pump: 100% (baseline)
Used OEM hydraulic pump: 40–60%
New aftermarket pump: 25–40%
At face value, aftermarket looks unbeatable. But purchase price is the least important number in this conversation.
Lifespan: Where the Gap Starts to Show
Here’s what workshop data consistently shows across major brands:
New OEM parts: 100% expected lifespan
Used OEM parts: 60–80% remaining lifespan (often more if well sourced)
Aftermarket parts: Anywhere from 20–70%—and wildly inconsistent
The problem with aftermarket isn’t that all of it is bad. The problem is that you never know which batch you’re getting.
OEM parts—new or used—were built to exact tolerances, with known metallurgy and quality control.
Failure Rates: The Stat Nobody Puts on a Quote
Let’s talk uncomfortable truth.
In real operating conditions:
Aftermarket hydraulic components fail 2–4× more often than OEM equivalents
Electrical aftermarket parts are the worst offenders
Cheap rebuilds fail faster than honest used OEM components
Every failure multiplies cost:
Machine downtime
Labour
Oil replacement
Secondary damage
Missed contracts
A part that fails twice is not “half price.” It’s a liability.
Downtime Cost: The Real Killer
An excavator standing still doesn’t just stop earning—it keeps costing.
Conservative South African downtime estimates:
Small contractor: R5,000–R10,000 per day
Medium fleet: R15,000–R30,000 per day
Mining / large earthworks: R50,000+ per day
If a cheap part causes even two extra days of downtime, it has already erased its entire price advantage.
Used OEM parts win here because:
They fit correctly
They work immediately
They don’t require repeated removal and refitting
Compatibility & Fitment: Where Aftermarket Bleeds Time
OEM parts are built for specific machines, serial ranges, and systems.
Aftermarket parts often:
Require modification
Trigger fault codes
Cause pressure mismatches
Void existing warranties
Used OEM parts come from real machines, not generic drawings.
Fitment matters more than most buyers admit.
Resale Value: The Hidden Long-Term Number
Machines built with OEM components—new or used—hold value.
Buyers ask questions like:
Has the pump been replaced?
Were OEM parts used?
Are service records available?
A machine stacked with aftermarket components raises red flags.
Used OEM parts protect resale value far better than cheap alternatives.
Cost Per Operating Hour: The Only Number That Matters
Let’s simplify.
Example: Hydraulic pump replacement
Aftermarket pump: Cheaper upfront, lasts 3,000 hours
Used OEM pump: Costs more upfront, lasts 6,000–8,000 hours
Which one is cheaper per hour?
Almost always the used OEM.
The longer a part lasts without drama, the lower its real cost.
Risk Profile: Predictable vs Unpredictable
Aftermarket parts increase uncertainty.
Used OEM parts reduce it.
Fleet owners don’t fear wear—they fear unplanned failure.
OEM components fail gradually. Aftermarket parts often fail suddenly.
That difference matters when jobs are tight and penalties exist.
When Aftermarket Does Make Sense
Let’s be honest—aftermarket isn’t evil.
It can make sense when:
The machine is near end-of-life
The part is non-critical
Downtime risk is low
Budget is extremely tight
But using aftermarket on core systems—hydraulics, engines, travel, swing—is gambling.
Where Used OEM Is the Smartest Play
Used OEM parts are ideal for:
Hydraulic pumps
Final drives
Swing motors
Control valves
Engines
Turbochargers
OEM electrical components
These are high-cost, high-impact components where quality matters.
The South African Reality Nobody Escapes
South Africa is hard on machines:
Dust
Heat
Long hours
Inconsistent maintenance
Variable fuel quality
OEM parts were designed for punishment. Aftermarket parts were designed for price.
Used OEM sits in the sweet spot between survival and sanity.
Final Verdict: Cheap Parts Are Expensive
If you only compare quotes, aftermarket wins.
If you compare lifespan, downtime, failure rate, and resale value, used OEM almost always comes out ahead.
Smart operators don’t buy parts. They buy operating hours without problems.
That’s the number nobody puts on the invoice—but it’s the one that matters.
Why Vikfin Focuses on Used OEM Excavator Parts
At Vikfin, we don’t sell theory. We sell parts pulled from real machines, inspected by people who know what fails and why.
Used OEM parts keep excavators working, earning, and predictable.
If you want to reduce downtime instead of just invoices, start with the right parts.
Need advice on whether to go used OEM or aftermarket for your excavator? Talk to people who see the failures, not just the prices.
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