Ordering Parts

Using high-quality replacement parts and consumables designed specifically for your vehicle plays an important role in repair work.

In general, replacement parts can be divided into two main groups:

Genuine replacement parts. These parts are distributed through the official dealers of the vehicle manufacturer. They always come in original packaging and carry the vehicle manufacturer's markings. Their quality meets all requirements and is guaranteed by the vehicle manufacturer. The official dealer of the vehicle manufacturer stocks all replacement parts for the vehicle. If a part is not in the dealer's stock, it is supplied in a short time from the central warehouse.

Non-genuine replacement parts. The term "non-genuine" says nothing about the quality of the replacement parts. It means that they are not sold in the vehicle manufacturer's packaging and are not distributed through official vehicle dealers. The core of this group consists of well-known manufacturers of replacement parts that supply parts to the vehicle manufacturers' assembly lines. Since their equipment and technology allow them to produce parts for the vehicles of many other manufacturers, they also make parts for sale on the open market, not only for the assembly line of one or several vehicle manufacturers. These parts come in the packaging and carry the markings of the parts manufacturer. Their quality is not inferior to genuine replacement parts, and their prices can be much lower than those of genuine parts (the difference can reach up to 50% in favor of non-genuine parts). The range is somewhat smaller than that of genuine replacement parts. The program includes the most common parts and those in greatest demand.

Many large Western replacement parts dealers use their own packaging, purchasing a wide range of non-genuine replacement parts in large lots directly from manufacturers and selling them under their own trademark.

Non-genuine parts are generally distributed through independent parts stores, independent repair workshops and service stations.

Special attention should be paid to the quality of the replacement parts being purchased. Avoid buying very cheap replacement parts (compared with genuine and non-genuine parts from well-known manufacturers), as they often do not meet quality and safety standards. If low-quality decorative trim affects only the appearance of the vehicle, then installing low-quality brake pads or an oil filter can threaten the safety of occupants or cause serious damage to the engine, so the cost of repairs can many times exceed the amount saved by buying a cheap part. Therefore, use either the services of official dealers (genuine parts) or reputable sellers of non-genuine replacement parts.

It is also possible to purchase remanufactured parts, in which case you return your old part. This applies primarily to complex, expensive components such as the engine, alternator, starter motor, etc. This option is sometimes offered by both official dealers and independent parts sellers.

This also saves a significant part of your money, in most cases quite substantially. In addition, the company selling the remanufactured unit provides almost the same warranty on it as on a new one.

Identification of Replacement Parts

The vehicle manufacturer continuously improves its products and constantly makes changes to the design. It may happen that, within one series and one version of the vehicle, some assemblies and units may differ slightly from each other, and a replacement part from one version, for example an earlier one, will not fit another. Therefore, when purchasing replacement parts, it is very important to provide the seller with as complete information about the vehicle as possible. The more accurate information about your vehicle you provide, the lower the probability of an error.

In addition to the standard data, including model year, body type, body version, chassis number (VIN), engine number, etc., the seller may also be interested in the following data:

- Whether any additional equipment is installed on the vehicle (for example, an auxiliary heater, a more powerful alternator, air conditioning).
- Transmission type.
- Whether a catalytic converter is fitted.
- Type of fuel injection system, etc.
- Installation position of the part.

If, for any reason, documents showing this information are not available, it is recommended to consult specialists about it, for example by visiting an authorized service center.

Sometimes, when buying a particular part, it is very useful to take the old part that is to be replaced along for comparison.