Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

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5  Car Parts Replacement Tips You Must Know

Shelly Brown

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Are you looking to replace a car part?

Contrary to what you think, buying a replacement part for your car is not that easy. You have so many options that it’s natural to land up in confusions. However, you have to be sure when it comes to choosing a car part. 

Here are the top 5 tips to help you get the best deal on replacement parts. 

1. Determine Quality Needs and Budget

Should you buy  OEM, aftermarket, or remanufactured parts?

The car replacement parts market is huge, with an unlimited number of suppliers. You can find car parts of varying quality and prices. Which one should you choose?

When it comes to quality, reliability, and performance, OEM parts are the best. These are produced by companies approved by your car manufacturer. So if you buy an OEM part for your Toyota Avanza, it means you will have a part made strictly following Toyota’s specifications. 

However, OEM parts can be quite expensive. It’s one reason you may want to look elsewhere at times. That being said, you can’t often have the same quality as OEM, so you need to know where to search for. 

Next, you have the aftermarket parts. Here you will find a range of products starting at very low prices. Aftermarket parts can be good, but you have to check the quality yourself. A decent aftermarket part will not be dirt cheap- keep this in mind. 

You can also go for remanufactured parts where OEM parts are taken apart, fixed, and reassembled. Remanufactured parts work well and are a cost-effective option if you are tight on budget.

Make up your mind and then select what you need.

2. Decide Where to Buy From

Here too, you have a lot of options. You can physically go to a car parts shop and make your purchase. Else, you can place an order online and get your replacement parts delivered to your doorstep. You can even call a few dealerships and check what they have.

Unless you are buying an OEM part, you should research the quality of the product. It will be easier to check the quality when you can hold the product in your hands in a shop. 

If you buy online, then do your research on the quality. Read a few customer reviews and check Google to do your research. 

3. Shop Around for the Best Price

The first two things to decide are what to buy and from where. After that, you should search around for the best price. You can do your preliminary research online to get a sense of how much the parts can cost. Visit a few online stores and see what price they are quoting. Sometimes, parts are cheaper online than in physical stores.

You can give a call to a few dealers or brick-and-mortar stores in your neighborhood to check the prices. For OEM parts, you can directly visit the website of the manufacturer. 

Try to get as many quotes as possible to find the lowest price.

4. Listen to Your Mechanic

Mechanics are one of the most reliable sources of knowledge in the automobile industry. They sometimes know more than what actual engineers do in practical terms. Getting their advice is a wise step to ensure you buy the right part at the right price.

First of all, mechanics will be the one to tell you when and what to replace. Obviously, this doesn’t count if you are a DIY guy and handle repairs yourself. Still, they have more experience in the field and can point you in the right direction. 

However, mechanics at branded or authorized repair shops may try to push their products.

5. Getting Replacement Parts for Old Vehicles

You can have a tough time searching around for a part for your 1970 chevy. They are not manufactured anymore and not available in your local store. 

The best place to look for old car parts is on auction websites like eBay. Check out as many sites as you can to get a reasonable price on your car part. However, do research the reputation of the seller thoroughly to avoid counterfeit products or scams. 

You can verify the credibility of a seller by-

  • Looking at his reviews and ratings
  • Number of items sold
  • Years of operation on the site
  • Negative feedback on shipping and product quality

Place your order once you’re confirmed everything is fine.

Final Thoughts

Keep the above tips in mind when buying a replacement part for your car. You will be able to get the right product matching your needs at the best price. Change your parts when they are due to keep your car running for years to come.