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How To Find Replacement Parts for My Car

  Thursday, 30 May 2024

It’s a fact of life that cars break down or need repairs. As much as manufacturers try to design and make highly reliable cars, the wear and tear from consistent use means auto parts are susceptible to faults. Worse still, accidents on the road are often unavoidable. Sometimes you and your vehicle may be involved in a prang where another driver is at fault.

At some point you will have to shop for a new car part. Whatever that part may be, there’s a fair chance you might feel a bit intimidated. After all, this is your car: something you rely on every day.

To help, here’s how to find parts for your car.

Which auto parts can I buy?

Depending on the value of your vehicle, if it develops faults or is involved in an accident, it might not be cost-effective to purchase brand-new replacement car parts to keep your vehicle roadworthy. That’s where second-hand car parts come in: an economical choice that’s kinder to the environment too.

You can buy pretty much every car part second-hand. At the online parts store of ASM Auto Recycling we sell everything from gear sticks to whole engines. If you’re at all unsure whether we’ve got the part you need, you can get in touch, but it’s fairly safe to assume you will be able to get a replacement.

Wouldn’t new car parts be better?

As with most things there are pluses and minuses to both.

With new auto parts, you’ll pay more, but you’re likely to get a bit of additional security. For some drivers, that’s worth the extra cost.

Second-hand auto parts – as with second-hand vehicles – are usually cheaper. What’s more, you can also usually track down the part specific to your car, even if it’s an older model.

How to find the correct parts for my car

There are a number of things you’ll need to look at when identifying the right part for the make and model of your car. It’s trickier than it sounds. Even a single range of vehicles from a manufacturer will have a number of versions that have been produced over time, with parts differing through the years and as technologies develop.

• Vehicle identification number (VIN) – finding your VIN number is your first port of call. This is a number that specifically relates to your car, and can be used to locate the right part. Your VIN number can be found in the chassis of your vehicle, usually in the engine bay or beneath the plastic trim around the driver or passenger door opening. The VIN is also listed in car manufacturer’s data tables and with the DVLA.

• Make, model and year – knowing these basic manufacturing details about your car will help when you are searching for parts online.

• Part codes – on some occasions, the faulty part itself will have a code, though you might need to dig through the dirt and grease to see it. This can also be referred to as the part number for your car.

• Visual ID – experienced buyers might be able to identify the part they need simply by looking at the faulty part. If you’re not sure though, check with your local garage or dealer.

• Part comparison – it can be possible to take the part you’ll be replacing and to simply compare it to the parts available online or at your local parts store. You’ll need to be detailed in checking, though: it can help to consult those who actually work at your local dealer, as they might be able to help.

Where can I find the right car parts?

The second hand parts store at ASM Auto Recycling includes a wide, ever-changing range of parts. However, we know that we’re not going to have every single part our customers need, every single time. So, here are a few other options to consider:

• Swap meets
  The used car enthusiast market is always popular and as a result you can actually attend meetings where fans will swap parts with each other. Get online and see if you’ve got one that’s local.

• Dealers
  Going down this route will often be more expensive, but they will nearly always be able to source a part if you’re happy to pay extra.

• Forums
  Really stumped? Head online and check out one or two of the car enthusiast forums. Forums often have a ‘buy or sell’ section, and you might find what you’re looking for.

• eBay
  Although it can be risky buying through eBay, you may just find what you’re looking for. It’s obviously important to ensure you research the seller’s feedback and reputation.

Should I replace the car parts myself?

Depending how DIY savvy you are, it is perfectly possible to replace car parts yourself. However, it’s best to be cautious. If you get something wrong, the consequences can be serious, if not fatal.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you get something badly wrong, you’ll definitely end up with much bigger bills than the replacement car part would have cost you.

The car parts you shouldn’t buy second-hand

Unless salvaged from an almost new vehicle and from a reputable seller, there are some car parts that you should be wary of buying second-hand. These are parts which will decline in efficiency and performance quicker the older they get. It’s therefore advisable to purchase the following parts brand-new:

• Exhaust systems
  As exhausts get older, the chances of them developing fissures, cracks and even holes are significantly greater. Second-hand exhaust systems will not last long!

• Wiper blades
  Used wiper blades from end-of-life vehicles are never a good choice. They’re already crammed with grime and dirt and it’s difficult to ever get them truly clean again.

• Oil filters
  In any vehicle, oil filters have limited shelf-lives. Oil is a necessity for your engine but, if you use a second-hand filter, the chance of your oil becoming dirty and damaging other components is much higher.

• Brake plates
  Brake plates will always wear out over time. So, if you purchase second-hand brake plates you will have to accept these will have a very limited lifespan. That’s because the friction applied by the callipers to the brake plates is so great.

Find used car parts at ASM

Purchasing second-hand used car parts can absolutely save you money on your motoring in the long run and is the greener solution.

In our used car parts store you can search by your car registration, make and model and find all the parts that we have available for your vehicle. All of our recycled car parts are cleaned, tested and covered by our 90-day guarantee.

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