VW Oil Filters: OEM Vs. Aftermarket

When you have an upcoming oil change, it’s time to ask yourself whether to buy an OEM or aftermarket oil filter. Which option is better for your Volkswagen? Does it even matter at all?

The answer is a resounding yes.

A filter may be a disposable part, but it’s actually incredibly important in ensuring that your engine lasts a long time. Using just about any aftermarket oil filter could greatly shorten your engine’s lifespan.

How the Oil Filter Plays a Big Role in Your Engine’s Health

The oil filter’s primary purpose is to filter the dirt and debris out of the oil before it returns to the engine. The oil cycles through the engine and then drains back to the oil pan. Next, that same oil is pumped out of the oil pan and through the filter before going back to the engine.

This set up exists because the oil gets pretty mucked up while running through the engine. The engine creates dirt from burned hydrocarbons. And the metal-to-metal contact between the engine components creates some tiny metal particles (especially if the oil isn’t clean enough). So when the oil runs through the engine, it picks up the dirt and debris and then brings it back to the oil pan.

If dirty oil is constantly cycled through the engine, it’s not lubricating the engine as much as it should. This leads to serious engine damage and a much shortened engine lifespan.

The oil filter keeps the oil as clean as possible in order to keep the engine well lubricated. That's why quality should be your number one priority while selecting a replacement oil filter. As far as quality goes, OEM is the far superior option.

Why OEM Oil Filters are the Much Better Option

A high quality oil filter makes a huge difference. OEM oil filters are:

  • Made of high-quality materials
  • Designed to work specifically with your VW model and the type of oil in the engine

Aftermarket oil filters are commonly built with inferior quality filter housing, gaskets, and filter material. It’s also pretty rare to find a model-specific aftermarket filter because universal fitment is common with aftermarket parts.

The full-flow oil filter is the most common type of oil filter found on cars. It's designed to “bypass” and let the dirty oil pass through if the filter gets too clogged. This is to ensure that the engine still gets oil no matter what because dirty oil is better than no oil. Aftermarket filters that use inferior filter material will clog faster than OEM filters. If they start bypassing the oil, it's not getting cleaned at all.

With an aftermarket oil filter on your car, you have to constantly worry about whether its functioning properly. An OEM oil filter gives you the peace of mind that your oil will stay clean until the next oil change.

OEM Oil Filters Don’t Necessarily Have to be Expensive

Often times, people buy aftermarket oil filters because they’re cheaper than OEM oil filters. It’s understandable because OEM oil filters can be pretty expensive, especially at VW dealerships. The good news is that you can buy a genuine OEM oil filter from us at wholesale pricing, which is cheaper than some aftermarket oil filters.