Most car owners are surprised that they need to shell out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on a spare part for their car. It is not always the cost of labour that makes maintaining and repairing a car pricey but the cost of the replacement parts. Are you being duped? Can you get these parts for a lower price? Fortunately, there are some ways to save on the cost of replacement parts. You need a little bit of patience and resourcefulness to save loads of cash.
Different Types of Car Parts
If you’re looking for a supplier of Volkswagen parts, you first need to understand the difference between OEM, aftermarket, and used car parts. OEM stands for an original equipment manufacturer. If you take your car to your dealership, they will only use original parts sourced from the car manufacturer. These are usually more expensive than aftermarket car parts. Most of the time, you don’t even need OEM for the parts that you’re trying to replace.
Aftermarket car parts will function the same as OEM parts. Sometimes, they are even better than OEM. However, your dealership will not honour the warranty for these parts since they are not directly sourced from them. You can check with the independent repair shop if they will give you a warranty for the parts. If not, better rethink your decision to get non-OEM parts.
You can also purchase secondhand car parts. These are cheaper options. If you’re looking for a big-ticket item such as a transmission, you can opt for used parts that have been repaired by the independent repair shop. These are usually still in good condition—otherwise, they won’t be on sale). Just make sure that you’re dealing with a trustworthy repair shop that will not dupe you out of your money.
Do Your Research
The Internet is a treasure trove of information for almost anything you can think of. When it comes to car parts, you can use a comparison tool to find the best deal near you. But before researching for the right item, you should check with your dealership if you have the correct serial number and model type of the spare part. You don’t want to have a part shipped from across the country only to realize it’s not compatible with your vehicle once it arrives.
Take care of the shipping cost. If the shipping fee will bring the cost of the car part around the same digit as what the dealership has quoted you for an OEM, better just take your car to the dealership. You won’t have to wait for the courier, and you’re sure of the quality of the car part.
Manage Your Expectations
If you are getting a car part from the dealership, you should demand it to be brand-new and made of the highest-quality material. However, if you decide to pick up a used car part, you cannot expect it to be in tip-top condition. It should function well, and the repair shop will even assure you of that, but know that it takes a big risk to buy a secondhand car part.
Do not be afraid to ask for help from your dealership, a local repair shop, your friends, and the Internet when it comes to purchasing car parts. There is plenty of information about it on the Internet. However, if you cannot still distinguish what’s true from the noise, you can bring your car to a repair shop and listen to the recommendations.