A universal part is not a direct part, which means that its specifications (measurements, alignments) are not exactly the same as the one your car requires. It will fit any year, make, and model, but you might need to do some modifications to the part in order to make it fit. This applies to non-accessory items like body parts, brake parts, suspens

The acronym OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which means that the auto part is manufactured by the auto maker of your vehicle. In contrast to after market parts, OEM auto parts are made specifically for your make and model vehicle.

After market auto parts are not only equally-effective, they are cost-effective as well. When refurbished properly, they work just as well but cost less than brand new parts. So as long as you purchase your after market auto parts from a reliable vendor, they should be a sufficient and affordable alternative to OEM auto parts.