Mopar prices and OEM testing

Accessory and performance parts buyers have often noted that Mopar parts tend to cost more than the “aftermarket, ” even for things that seem similar, though many Mopar parts are made by third parties. (This involves not replacement parts, but accessories and performance add-ons.)

In our interview, Pietro Gorlier confirmed what others have commented on the Allpar forums: that Mopar parts are tested to full production-car standards, which accounts for some of the costs. This can be a substantial cost, not just for the testing, but also for fixing any durability issues.

Pietro said, taking graphics as an example, “Our graphics all go through ultraviolet testing because if I put a graphic on a car, I want to be sure that the graphic will last as long as the car is on the market. This is not a concern for an aftermarket company, they just want a price that is attractive to the customer. So our parts today are undergoing the same level of testing as our cars.”