What is the difference between genuine and OEM parts?

A genuine part is sold in the vehicle manufacturer box. An OEM part is made by the same factory that supplies the manufacturer but sold under that factory brand. Both are built to the same specification, and the difference is the box and the price.

Can a supplier find my part number from the VIN?

Yes. The VIN identifies the exact build of the car, and parts desks use it to look up the correct number. Always ask for the number in writing before paying.

Why do I get two different numbers for the same part?

Manufacturers supersede numbers over time. Ask which number is current and whether it replaces the older one.

Does an OEM number guarantee it fits my car?

It fits the build the number was issued for. Confirm it against your VIN if your car had mid-year changes or a non-standard specification.

OEM Auto Parts Sharjah – Search Using VIN and Part Number

How to search OEM auto parts in Sharjah using the OEM number or your VIN, and how to confirm the number you were quoted is the right one.

Close-up of an OEM part number printed on a car component

# OEM Auto Parts Sharjah – Search Using VIN and Part Number

An OEM number is the fastest way to buy a part correctly. It removes the guesswork that causes repeat trips, and it makes quotations comparable, because two suppliers quoting the same number are quoting the same part.

Where to find the number

Printed, stamped or moulded on the old part, often under dirt, so clean it first.
On the original packaging of a previously replaced part.
In the vehicle's service documentation.
Derived from the VIN by a supplier or dealer parts desk.

Numbers are manufacturer-specific. Formats differ between brands but stay consistent within one brand.

Using the VIN when the number is unreadable

The 17-character VIN identifies the exact build of your car, including changes made during a model year. Send the VIN and a description of the part, and ask the supplier to reply with the number they intend to supply. That reply is what you compare between suppliers.

Verify before you buy

1. Ask for the number in writing, not verbally. 2. Confirm whether the part is genuine, OEM-manufactured, or an aftermarket equivalent of that number. 3. Ask whether the number has been superseded. Manufacturers replace numbers, and the new number is the correct one to buy. 4. On delivery, compare the number on the part with the number quoted.

Searching in Sharjah specifically

Sharjah's trade base is broad, which makes number-based searching much more effective there than description-based searching. PARTAT's catalogue holds 2,538 verified OEM part references alongside 86 brands and 1,217 models, so a request submitted with your vehicle plus a number reaches suppliers with the exact context they need.

If you only have the old part in your hand, photograph the number and the part together and attach both to the request.

Related: [how to find an OEM part number](/blog/how-to-find-oem-part-number), [how to verify an OEM number](/blog/how-to-verify-oem-number) and the [Sharjah auto spare parts guide](/blog/auto-spare-parts-sharjah).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between genuine and OEM parts?: A genuine part is sold in the vehicle manufacturer box. An OEM part is made by the same factory that supplies the manufacturer but sold under that factory brand. Both are built to the same specification, and the difference is the box and the price.
Can a supplier find my part number from the VIN?: Yes. The VIN identifies the exact build of the car, and parts desks use it to look up the correct number. Always ask for the number in writing before paying.
Why do I get two different numbers for the same part?: Manufacturers supersede numbers over time. Ask which number is current and whether it replaces the older one.
Does an OEM number guarantee it fits my car?: It fits the build the number was issued for. Confirm it against your VIN if your car had mid-year changes or a non-standard specification.

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