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We are replacing the cam belt & water pump on our 2000 Mitsubishi Diamante.

The repairer has given me two quotes, one for genuine Mitsubishi parts and one for pirate parts, which he says are generic.

Would you recommend the use of pirate parts.

They are $500 cheaper.

Kimberley

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December, 2009

I must admit to being a big fan for genuine parts and fluids. However, a $500 difference is a lot of money between genuine and non genuine parts in this case.

It may come down to what your future is with the vehicle. If you intend holding onto it for a few years then at least with genuine parts you know the manufacturers future recommended replacement intervals can be achieved. In other words the cam belt should not need replacing again for another five years / 100,000kms (whichever comes first). It is highly unlikely the same guarantees can be given for a non genuine cam belt.

Most garages will guarantee their workmanship and parts for twelve months or 20,000kms which is accepted within the industry as being fair, but you need to be confident parts will not let you down way beyond this period.

If you were unlucky enough to have the water pump fail sometime in the future, it could potentially do massive damage to the engine as the cam belt is used to drive the pump.

New vehicle distributors work very hard to compete with the very healthy non genuine competition in the market and as the older vehicles lose value the battle gets harder to win.

The main reason the repairer is giving you these options is because they are;

1) Trying to look after you as a customer in regards to the repair costs.

2) Letting you know they should not be held responsible if the fitted parts do fail a short time outside their warranty period (12months / 20,000km's).

Not an easy decision to make. I go back to my earlier comment re your planned future with the vehicle and the peace of mind genuine parts may provide over a long period.