Why Buying OEM Used Excavator Parts Saves You Money Without Sacrificing Quality

(A Complete Guide for Contractors, Fleet Owners, and Plant-Hire Pros)

When an excavator goes down on-site, the clock starts ticking. Every hour that machine sits still is money burning. And when the diagnosis finally comes in — final drive failure, engine blow-by, pump cavitation, swing motor issues — the replacement cost can hit like a punch to the gut.

Most contractors immediately jump to the two most common options:

1. Buy a brand-new OEM part (expensive as hell)

2. Buy a cheap aftermarket part (usually a gamble)

But there’s a third option that smart operators, big earthmoving companies, and plant-hire veterans rely on:

OEM USED EXCAVATOR PARTS

And when sourced from a trusted supplier like Vikfin, they deliver the best balance of cost, reliability, and uptime in the entire industry.

This blog breaks down exactly why buying OEM used parts saves you money without sacrificing quality — and why it’s fast becoming the go-to strategy for serious operators across South Africa and beyond.

1. OEM Means Perfect Fit. Used Doesn’t Change That.

OEM — Original Equipment Manufacturer — simply means the part was built by the same company that built your excavator.

Volvo builds Volvo parts.Komatsu builds Komatsu parts.CAT builds CAT parts.Doosan builds Doosan parts.

These components are engineered to match the machine’s tolerances, specs, and design perfectly.

Aftermarket parts? Not so much.

Most aftermarket units are reverse-engineered. Some are good. Many are not. You might get:

• weaker materials

• incorrect tolerances

• reduced lifespan

• misaligned bolt patterns

• poor sealing

• higher heat, vibration, or cavitation

But an OEM part is always a perfect fit, whether it’s new or used.

When it arrives at the workshop, it bolts in smoothly.When it runs under load, it performs like it’s meant to.When you maintain it properly, it lasts.

Buying used doesn’t change the engineering — it only changes the price.

2. Save 40–70% Compared to New OEM Parts

Brand-new OEM parts are expensive for two reasons:

1. High-quality materials and precision engineering

2. Dealer markups and shipping delays

A brand-new OEM final drive for even a medium-sized machine can cost:

• R80,000 to R150,000+

• Bigger excavators? Easily over R200,000

A used OEM final drive from a reputable supplier like Vikfin usually costs only a fraction of that — often 40–70% cheaper.

The math is simple:

New OEM Final Drive

R150,000

Used OEM Final Drive (Guaranteed)

R55,000 – R80,000

Saving:

R70,000 – R95,000 on a single part

Now multiply that across:

• a fleet of machines

• a year of maintenance

• multiple breakdowns

The savings are massive.

3. Quality and Lifespan Are Still Superior to Cheap Aftermarket Parts

Contractors almost always learn this the hard way:

Cheap aftermarket parts are expensive mistakes.

They might:

• fail early

• void warranties

• cause collateral damage

• create repeat breakdowns

• increase downtime

• require constant re-adjustment

Many aftermarket final drives only last 1/3 as long as OEM units.Many aftermarket hydraulic pumps run hotter and cavitate under heavy load.Many aftermarket engines simply don’t deliver the same torque curve or reliability.

A used OEM part can outlast a brand-new aftermarket part by years.

Why?

Because OEM components were engineered for:

• heavy-duty cycles

• high-pressure systems

• real-world abuse

• long, continuous load

Used or not, that engineering remains.

4. Used OEM Parts Come from Salvaged Machines — Not Worn-Out Junk

The biggest misconception about used excavator parts is that they come from machines that were “finished” or dead.

Not true.

Most parts come from machines that were:

• damaged in accidents

• written off by insurance

• stripped for overhauls

• retired fleets with low-hour engines

• fire-damaged (but untouched hydraulics or drivetrains)

• scrapped because of a single catastrophic failure in an unrelated system

When you source from a supplier like Vikfin, you’re not buying trash — you’re buying solid OEM components that still have thousands of hours of life left.

And they undergo testing, inspection, and cleaning before being sold.

5. You Get Instant Availability — Not Weeks of Waiting

Waiting for a new OEM part to ship is painful. Some take:

• 2–6 weeks

• longer if they’re backordered

• even longer if they’re international

That means your excavator is sitting in the workshop doing nothing — costing you:

• lost project time

• penalties

• hiring replacement machines

• crew inefficiency

• frustrated clients

Used OEM parts are often ready immediately.

Vikfin keeps a massive inventory of:

• final drives

• engines

• hydraulic pumps

• swing motors

• track frames

• cylinders

• ECUs

• control valve banks

• travel motors

• radiators

• and more

So your machine gets back to work faster — and uptime is everything.

6. Used OEM = Lower Risk Than Aftermarket

A lot of contractors buy aftermarket because they think new = safe.

But in excavators, new aftermarket is often riskier than used OEM.

Here’s why:

OEM parts are engineered for:

• exact pressure ratings

• exact hydraulic flow

• exact torque curves

• exact temperature thresholds

• exact tolerances

Aftermarket parts?

Usually built to “close enough” standards.

And “close enough” doesn’t cut it when you’re dealing with:

• 5,000 psi hydraulic systems

• 20-ton digging forces

• high RPM turbo engines

• precision-tracked hydraulic flows

Used OEM parts outperform aftermarket parts because reliability doesn’t come from being new — it comes from being engineered correctly.

7. Used OEM Parts Extend Machine Life Without Ballooning Maintenance Costs

Buying used parts is one of the best strategies for keeping older excavators in profitable shape.

When a machine is:

• 10 years old

• 12,000+ hours

• past warranty

Buying new OEM parts often makes the repair more expensive than the whole machine’s value.

But used OEM keeps it profitable for years.

Why keep older machines working?

Because they’re often:

• fully paid off

• cheaper to insure

• cheaper to run

• simpler to maintain

• money printers when kept in good condition

Used OEM parts allow you to run a leaner operation while still maintaining reliability.

8. Used OEM Parts Are Environmentally Sustainable

Every used OEM part:

• prevents landfill waste

• reduces the need for new manufacturing

• conserves raw materials

• lowers carbon footprint

• maximizes machine lifecycle

In an industry where sustainability is becoming more important, used OEM parts are an eco-smart choice without the eco-tax.

9. Used OEM Parts Are Inspected, Tested & Backed by Guarantees

When you buy used OEM parts from random scrapyards, Facebook Marketplace sellers, or “a guy who knows a guy,” you carry all the risk.

But trusted suppliers like Vikfin:

• clean components internally and externally

• check tolerances and wear points

• pressure-test hydraulic parts

• measure backlash and bearing wear

• test engines for blow-by, compression, and oil health

• check valve banks for leakage and spools

• test motors under load

• verify serial numbers and model compatibility

• offer guarantees/warranties

This eliminates the biggest fear buyers have — getting a dud.

10. Real-World Example: Final Drive Replacement

Let’s take a Volvo EC210 as an example.

New OEM Final Drive

Price: R130,000 – R165,000

Cheap Aftermarket Final Drive

Price: R45,000 – R60,000Lifespan: 800–1,200 hours

Used OEM Final Drive (Tested)

Price: R55,000 – R85,000Lifespan: 2,000–6,000+ hours

The smart money goes to:

Used OEM every single time.

You pay aftermarket prices but get OEM reliability.

11. Used OEM Parts Hold Their Value Better

Another hidden advantage:Used OEM parts have resale value.

Aftermarket parts?Worth almost nothing on resale.

OEM parts — even used — are still sought after years later, because contractors trust them.

If you ever break down the machine, part it out, or resell it, OEM components increase the resale price dramatically.

12. The Bottom Line: Used OEM Parts Are Simply the Best Value in the Industry

When you compare all three options:

Part Type	Cost	Reliability	Lifespan	Risk	Best For
New OEM	Highest	Excellent	Excellent	Low	High-budget fleets
Used OEM	40–70% cheaper	Excellent	Very Good	Low	Everyone
Aftermarket	Cheap upfront	Inconsistent	Low–Medium	High	Only when desperate

Used OEM is the clear winner in real-world conditions.

You get:

• OEM engineering

• OEM reliability

• OEM performance

• But at a fraction of new OEM cost

This is why smart operators trust suppliers like Vikfin rather than gambling on cheap alternatives.

Conclusion: Don’t Pay More Than You Need To — Go OEM Used

A breakdown doesn’t have to break your budget.

With used OEM excavator parts from Vikfin, you get:

• Huge savings

• Faster turnaround times

• Better reliability than aftermarket

• Longer machine lifespan

• Guaranteed performance

• Peace of mind

It’s the smart, cost-effective, reliability-focused choice for contractors who want maximum uptime without overspending.