printable version

Acquisition of spare parts

An important role in the repair work plays use of spare parts and consumables of high quality, designed specifically for your vehicle.

In general, spare parts can be divided into two major groups:

Original spare parts. These parts are distributed through the official representative of producers of cars, always have the original packaging and labeled accordingly. The quality of the parts is guaranteed by the car manufacturers. In the warehouses of the official representatives of the manufacturer it is usually in the range of all spare parts for the vehicle. If any item is missing, it in no time can be set from a central warehouse.

Non-original spare parts. The definition of "non-genuine" says nothing about the quality of parts. It just means that they are not sold in their original packaging of the manufacturer of the vehicle and do not apply through the official representative of the company. The backbone of this group is well-known manufacturers of spare parts, supplying parts to the assembly line at times of several automobile plants. Due to its high power production such firms also provide delivery of spare parts for sale on the open market. Such items have packaging and labeling of products and spare parts are not inferior to the quality of original spare parts at significantly lower cost (the price difference can reach up to 50%). However, the range is usually a little more modest in view of the fact that for the free sale of trying to produce a top-selling, the most demanded items. Many large western parts dealers use their own packaging by purchasing a large assortment of non-original parts in bulk directly from manufacturers and selling them under its own brand. Aftermarket parts are usually distributed through independent shops of automobile accessories, repair shops and service stations.

Particular attention should be paid to the quality of purchased parts. Try to avoid buying very cheap parts (compared to the original and unoriginal known firms), since they often do not meet the standards of quality and safety. If you are installing a second-rate decorative molding can adversely affect only the appearance of the car, the use of low-grade brake pads / oil filter is a threat to road safety, and may cause serious damage to the engine. At the same time the cost of reconditioning often many times greater than the savings when buying cheap items amount. This means that should try to use the services of the official representative of the manufacturer of the car (spare parts), or well-established suppliers of original spare parts.

There is also the possibility of purchasing remanufactured parts, with the old, the failed element is usually rented in exchange for restored. This approach is most productive when replacing such complex, costly components, such as components of the power unit, a generator, a starter, etc. Notwithstanding that the service is provided as an official representative of the manufacturer of the vehicle, and independent suppliers of spare parts and can significantly reduce the cost of repairing the vehicle. This company offers recovered unit usually gives him almost the same warranty as a new one.

Identification of the spare parts

As mentioned above, the company's vehicle manufacturers, as typical representatives of mass production, strive to continually improve its products, constantly bringing in design models produced certain changes and additions. It may happen that in one series and one embodiment of a vehicle, some components and assemblies are slightly different from each other, and spare parts designed for the assembly of vehicles of, for example, an earlier model year will not be appropriate for other issued later. In view of the above, the acquisition of spare parts it is important to provide the seller as much information about your vehicle.

In addition to the standard data set, including the year of production, body type, an embodiment of the body, chassis number (number VIN), engine number, etc., the seller may be interested in the following information:

• Gearbox;
• Type of fuel supply system;
• Has the vehicle any additional equipment (for example, an additional heater, a more powerful generator, air conditioning, etc.);
• Does the packaging model catalytic converter;
• Fitting purchased parts.

If for any reason the documents reflecting the listed data are not available, it makes sense to consult with the specialist representative of the manufacturer of the vehicle.

Sometimes, buying this or that spare part, it is useful to take with them to compare the old, and the replaced item.