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Replacement - Car Parts

When you buy a new vehicle it is covered by a warranty. This means, that for the length of the warranty, any parts found to be faulty will be replaced at no charge.

What you should be concerned about is when the warranty runs out. You may be able to extend it, but if you can’t, you then have to find a reliable used car parts dealer for your car who sells parts which you can afford. Sometimes this is easier said than done.

There will come a point in time that your car will need some replacement parts no matter how well you look after it. Don’t just go with the first place you find.

“…Consumers face two options when buying replacement car parts following a collision - buy after market, or shell out for original equipment? Beyond the obvious considerations of costs and quality, it's important to understand that comparing either side-by-side isn't always as straight forward as you might think…”

When your car was first made it has the OE – Original Equipment installed. OE will refer to the maker of the car, for example, Ford OE are manufactured by Ford, Toyota OE are manufactured by Toyota and so on.

Other parts are not made by the manufacturer but are bought and installed by them. Some parts which are made specifically for that model will be harder to hunt down, but most will be available to you via a variety of different ways.

So you need to find a replacement part- where do you start?

You can always buy OE parts but this is often the most expensive option and you can save a lot of money by first doing a small amount of research.

There are some manufacturers that sell parts identical to OE parts. First of all find out if the part you need is available, then compare prices.

Another option will be the aftermarket for replacement auto parts.

These are copies of existing parts. Always check the quality before buying as this is more important than the price! You need a part that is reliable and will function well.

“…When needing a replacement part for you car, where do you shop? Like many motorists you may head down to the big box retailer for all of your needs…”

Be aware that the aftermarket parts are not made by the manufacturer. Some parts may look the same but are put together with different (cheaper) materials and therefore may not work as well in your automobile, plus there is also the chance that they might affect other parts of the car.

If you are unsure, buying a brand name product, while more expensive, will be a much better option for you. It is always best to spend a bit extra because sometimes cutting costs can cause you to end up paying out a lot more if the replacement part affects the rest of your car.

On the other hand, if it is a simple part and will perform the same function as the OE part, then you will save a lot of money buying from a reliable aftermarket supplier.

The cheapest parts to buy are recycled parts.

Recyclers (often called junk car dealers) offer customers great prices on parts. Insurance companies will get rid of wrecks to junk sites.

These cars still have many fully functional parts in them. The recyclers remove these parts out and gladly sell them onto customers. Some recyclers even offer a warranty with the parts they sell. And, many recyclers know what they are talking about regarding cars, and if they cannot find the part you need in the yard you visit, they are in touch with other recyclers who may have the part you need.

You can also check auto part stores online. Here you will find a wide choice and competitive rates. It a good idea to check online and compare different companies after checking if they have the part you need.

So there is a choice of OEM, aftermarket or recycled parts.

Which is the better? Well, the obvious advantage is going to be the price. Recycled are cheaper than the aftermarket reseller who in turn is cheaper than the OE option.

Do your research, check online companies, compare costs and you can save yourself some money, but never compromise on quality.