how to buy new and used car parts online

During the lifetime of most of those reading this article we’ve gone from the only sources for cars parts was what was available locally &‌ndash; the dealership, car parts store, or the breakers &‌ndash; to having the ability to search for parts across the UK, the EU, even across the world. You’d think having such an enormous marketplace with endless selection would have made finding the car parts you seek that much easier. But in fact, it’s only become more complicated.

We’d like to take you through the process that we use personally to purchase needed repair or upgrade parts and accessories. Our primary goal always is to receive the correct part the first time and not get involved in weeks of shipping parts or accessories back and forth.

Our second consideration is price. Perhaps we should call it value because it’s dependent upon the first consideration, so let’s call it finding the right part the first time at the best price.

The third consideration is time. Do you need to install a timing belt on Saturday so you can drive to work on Monday? Then your choices are more limited. Recognize that there’s a major service coming due in the next few week and you have time to research your purchase thoroughly.

The most frequently asked question among car parts shoppers, especially those new to process, include:

How will I know which parts will fit my car?

How can determine the quality and performance of a part I can only see a picture of? How do I know that an OEM replacement part will perform like the OEM component?

How does the price compare against other similar parts, ranging from online operation to local retailers?

If the part I purchase doesn’t fit correctly, or I’m dissatisfied with the overall quality, what is my recourse?

How quickly will my car parts arrive, and are there any shipping specials to take advantage of?

Why should I trust an online supplier, when I can usually get all the parts I need at a well-known retail car parts establishment right down the street?

Chances are you’ll have many questions about purchasing car parts online as there are few solid answers that cover the spectrum of businesses that sell car parts online. XXXXXXXX.com is one of the most trusted and reputable online car part sources in the UK, and we’re here assist you in making certain you receive the correct parts, on the schedule promise, at a more-than-competitive price.

In order to assist you in the online car parts purchasing process, our team has collected the best advice for purchasing car parts through the internet, and offer them to you here:

Be Clear That You Know What You’re Looking For

When you go to the grocers, you bring a list. Same goes for online car part shopping. If you’ve ever wandered off your list and made impulse purchases you find that your total went up and perhaps you really didn’t want to purchase those items in the first place. The same is true for shopping for car parts online. If you’re planning to replace brake pads and rotors, make certain you have all the items needed for the service on your list (and don’t forget any needed chemicals), and then stick to it. Online car parts retailers have become very sophisticated in recognizing the type of service you’re contemplating and offering add-on parts or tools. Perhaps it’s a special spanner that will make your brake service faster and easier. Consider the price, the time you’ll save, and how often you’ll actually use it before adding it to your cart.

Research the Online Store

Thankfully there are almost as many review sites about businesses as there are online businesses. The three most popular in the UK are Google+ Local, Yelp and Yell. There are more of course, ranging from Facebook to Scoot, so there are plenty of opportunities to check the reputation of an online car parts business. While the overall score is important, there are two additional considerations. One is how many receive did the business receive? If it’s only three and they’re all five stars, they could have all been posted by employees or relatives. On the other hand you might find a business with hundreds of reviews that’s rated 4.5 stars. Read the negative reviews. Are the complaints the fault of the company or were there frustrated customer not ordering the right part in the first place, or the delivery was delayed by the shipping company, which the retailer can’t control.

Use Your VIN to Acquire the Correct OEM Part Number

In the past it was enough to know the year, make and model or four car, along with engine displacement to purchase replacement parts. It’s gotten much more complicated are manufacturers are now building cars globally and the alternator in model X may be different from the nearly-identical model Y.

The only way to know exactly what you need is by having the VIN number in hand when ordering replacement car parts online. In the UK, the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is located in several places around your car, as well as in your MoT Log Book. From that VIN the exact manufacturer, model, engine, transmission, and trim level can be determined. Just a single digit or letter difference between two VIN numbers could make a significant difference in which are the correct parts for that vehicle.

One Quick Stop before Shopping

Check out the return policy of the company you think you’ll be buying from. What are the shipping policies, both for the original shipment, the return, and the shipment of the replacement part? Is the company located in the UK? What are their customer service hours? If it’s not clear on the site, call the customer service department. If they can’t point out where there policies are posted in writing move on to the next online seller.

Check for Deals

Many online car parts retailers offer coupons and specials that could save you money. For example, they may have a weekly email newsletter and offer a 10% discount on your next purchase if you subscribe. They could also offer online coupons on their website. Further, examine their shipping policy and see if they combine orders to reduce shipping costs. Many also have a price match guarantee. If you’ve seen a lower price online, take a screen shot and provide it to the retailer you’ve decided to purchase from and they’ll match the price as long as their conditions have been met. This could also work with an online retailer that doesn’t have a posted price match policy, particularly if you’re a first time buyer on their site.

Overall Honesty, Integrity, Reputation, and Knowledge are More Important than Price

While purchasing and receiving the correct car part on a timely basis is important, even more so is selecting an online car parts retailer with a good reviews, a friendly and knowledgeable staff, accessible customer service support, and a passion for assisting customers to make certain their online car parts buying process is as simple and trouble-free as possible.