Everyone reading this will know that cars cost a fortune. They are expensive to buy and they are expensive to run. One of the biggest costs is the sudden maintenance costs that crop up. All of a sudden, your car is making a strange noise and you need a new part to fix it. We’ve all been there, and our first instinct is to hit the garage. Before you do, do some research and see if you can’t fix the problem yourself.
The inner mechanics of a car can be difficult to get your head around, but not impossible. They all work in much the same way and rely on the same parts and systems. Understand one and you understand them all. You can save yourself a lot of money by fixing minor repairs. However, the one thing that can prove tough is tracking down the right parts. That’s where we come in. We’ll help you source the cheapest parts around. If you’re willing to search for them, you’ll track down a bargain in no time.
Whether it’s online or in the real world, there are tons of car part resources. It’s a big industry with many different arms. Of course, if you’re searching for a rare part for a classic car, you may struggle. But digging them out is just part of the fun! With a common, modern road car, parts are very easy to come by. The most savvy drivers can avoid this entirely with GK servicing and regular maintenance. However, if you are stuck for a part, here’s where to look.
A car shop or garage
We’ll start with the most obvious. With all the talk of the internet, we often forget that we can walk down to our local store! Most car shops and garages carry spare parts. If not, they’ll know where to get one from and have the resources to have them delivered. You also can’t put a price on expert advice from professionals. Visiting a dedicated car shop is the best way to get this advice. Naturally, you should expect to pay a little more with this route. But, it is the easiest.
Swap Meets
If you’re willing to go a bit further for your bargain parts, a swap meet should be top of your list. These are huge meetups for buyers and sellers alike. The buyers set up a stall in a large warehouse or field and the buyers peruse at their leisure. They are an amazing place to meet like-minded car enthusiasts and get some valuable advice. If you’re looking specifically for a classic car part, this is your nirvana. You’ll find every niche car part you could wish for in these meetups.
Car Magazines
Car magazines are still one of the best sources of information and advice. Get hold of a few recent ones and stay up to date with the world of cars and maintenance. This is a great idea for the general well being of your vehicle. However, regarding parts, they usually have a section towards the back for buying and selling. People will use this to list spare parts that they are selling and you can get in touch with them. You never know what you might find in a car magazine.
Online forums
The internet is buzzing with small communities dedicated to cars, mechanics and parts. Hundreds of car forums exist and they are chock full of experts and enthusiasts. Whether it’s new Jaguars or old Cadillacs, they know their stuff. Search out a forum that is specific to your interests or your make of car. Introduce yourself and get involved in discussions and reviews. Look out for anyone listing the parts you need and don’t be afraid to ask. Once you’re part of the community, forum members will go out of their way to help you.
Internet dealers
Another great online resource is specific car part dealers. The internet caters for plenty of small companies specially devoted to car parts. Again, you’ll need to search out the relevant dealer for you car make and model. But, once you find it, bookmark it and keep an eye out. These dealers often pass on huge savings to customers as their operating costs are so low.
eBay
The online auction is yet another amazing place to seek out a bargain on the internet. There are hundreds of official car part sellers with stores on eBay. These are professionals who you can trust. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find plenty of private sellers parting with their wares. This is where you can really pick up a bargain. By bidding on rare parts, you’ll guarantee yourself a good deal. eBay is the first place to look if you’re after a very specific or rare car part.
Wrecking companies
When a car is written off or discarded, they go through a wrecking company to purge it of parts. They are also destroyed efficiently before they reach a junkyard. Naturally, these companies have access to thousands of spare parts. In most cases they’ll be more than happy to help you out for a small price. Visit your local wrecking service and tell them about the part you’re looking for. If they haven’t got one around, ask them to keep an eye out and call you if one comes up.
Junkyard
Sometimes, there’s no better option than wading through discarded parts at a junkyard. This isn’t for the faint hearted and you need to know what you’re looking for. Finding that one part you need is like finding a needle in a haystack. Strike gold, however, and you get the part you want for free. You’ll also need a little skill in determining whether the part is still functional.
Join a car club
In most cities, car clubs get together to chat about cars, old and new. They exchange advice and wisdom and share stories. Most importantly, they often collect parts and have resources in all aspects of cars. Join one and they’ll help you find what you’re looking for.
There you have it, folks. A complete guide to finding the spare part you need without spending a fortune. Best of luck!
