Seoul City-Korea Consumer Federation, Performance Comparison Test of 2 OEM Parts + 8 Repair Parts Brake Pads
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Repair parts for automobile brake pads (brake linings) have been found to have quality and performance as good as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, which are so-called genuine parts, while being relatively cheaper in price.
On the 20th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the results of a quality comparison test between brake pad OEM parts and repair parts conducted together with the Korea Consumer Federation. Brake pads are consumables that need to be replaced after a certain period of use, as they clamp the brake disc from both sides during vehicle braking to stop the rotation of the wheels through friction.
The performance test was conducted after installing a total of 10 types of brake pads, including 2 OEM types and 8 repair parts, on two vehicle models (Sonata (DN8) and New K5). The test items included three categories according to the "Regulations on Performance and Standards of Automobiles and Automobile Parts: Brake Lining Standards" and the "Enforcement Rules of the Automobile Management Act: Braking Force Standards and Methods for Vehicle Inspection": ▲Compression Test ▲Shear Strength Test ▲Braking Force Test.
The test results showed that performance and quality were almost identical, but the replacement cost of OEM parts was found to be up to 2.2 times higher than that of repair parts. Accordingly, the Seoul Metropolitan Government emphasized, "It is necessary to correct consumers' vague prejudice that repair parts are of inferior quality," adding, "Automobile brake pads must pass the 'Automobile Parts Self-Certification System (KC Certification)' implemented to protect drivers' lives and safety, and even when using alternative parts, there is no difference in quality, performance, or after-sales service compared to OEM parts."
Based on these test results, the Seoul Metropolitan Government aims to improve consumer perception of repair and alternative parts and enable domestic small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up most manufacturers of repair and alternative parts, to be chosen by consumers. Furthermore, it plans to continuously conduct performance comparison tests on automobile parts and promote the results in various ways, focusing on the public sector, related organizations, consumer groups, and maintenance shops.
Park Ju-seon, Director of Fair Economy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "The purpose of this test is to allow consumers to make rational choices and purchases of automobile consumables that need to be regularly replaced after a certain period of use," adding, "Along with this, we will provide accurate information so that consumers can choose excellent parts from small and medium-sized enterprises, lead efforts to improve awareness, and help reduce repair costs as well as support market access for outstanding small and medium-sized enterprises."
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