In this article, Arnott discusses why quality aftermarket parts matter

When Australian workshops source suspension components, they face a critical choice that impacts both their reputation and customer safety.
As the aftermarket faces increasing scrutiny amid right-to-repair discussions and evolving safety standards, understanding the differences between OE, premium aftermarket, and counterfeit parts has never been more critical.
Arnott states that Original Equipment (OE) parts offer proven reliability but often come with dealership markups that can price workshops out of competitive repairs – and more concerning is that OE designs are rarely updated to address real-world failure points discovered post-release, which can be a significant issue in Australian driving conditions.
Low-quality and counterfeit suspension components pose the most significant risk, it says, explaining these parts mimic OE designs using inferior materials and bypass essential testing, inheriting the same OE weaknesses while introducing additional quality control failures.
For workshops, Arnott warns the consequences can extend beyond premature failure to include potential liability and damage to customer relationships and notes that warning signs include missing certifications, unauthorised sellers, and suspiciously low pricing.
The organisation says that companies like Arnott demonstrate how premium aftermarket manufacturers deliver superior solutions by improving on OE designs.
It states that its engineers analyse failure points in original components, redesign them accordingly, and use advanced prototyping with thousands of test miles before production.
Arnott offers the following as two examples to illustrate the practical benefits for Australian workshops:
• Arnott’s A-2724 Rear Air Spring for Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLS-Class, which reportedly eliminates the OE reservoir design that requires subframe disassembly, saving workshops up to seven hours of labour per installation. The reinforced lower mount also prevents installation errors that plague the delicate OE eye mount design.
• For the BMW 5-Series (F07, F11), Arnott’s A-2780 addresses the OE top folding edge that traps dirt by utilising a seamless design, removing leak points while maintaining ride quality.
As right-to-repair legislation advances and import regulations evolve, workshops require reliable aftermarket suppliers who invest in genuine engineering improvements, rather than just cost-cutting measures.
TÜV and ISO-certified processes ensure components meet stringent standards, while competitive pricing helps independent workshops stay viable against dealer networks.
Arnott says premium aftermarket parts represent more than just cost savings – they are a strategic decision that supports workshop efficiency, customer safety, and the broader case for aftermarket access rights.

For more information, visit www.arnottinc.com