Choosing The Best Parts For Your Vehicle Repairs

When you need to buy car parts for repair, you may find multiple parts available in different price ranges that all seem the same. Learning how to choose the best parts for your situation is essential, and sometimes, the price is not the only thing to consider when you head to the parts store.

Car Parts Pricing

One of the most confusing things for people trying to buy car parts for their vehicle is the way auto parts are priced. Most auto parts stores carry car parts that are available at several different price points, and for a new buyer, that can make it hard to know what to buy. 

On the surface, it may look like the most expensive part is the best one, but that is not always the case. You may need brake pads, for instance, and the most expensive ones on the shelf that fit your car may be ceramic pads that offer long wear and excellent heat dissipation, but if you only drive your car a few miles a day, you do not need pads at that level. 

So while the price does reflect the quality of those pads, they may not be the best fit for your vehicle. Deciphering that price structure can be challenging, but remember that the best parts are not always necessary. Ask why one is more expensive, and try to apply the benefits of those pricier parts to your needs before you buy car parts for your vehicle. 

Car Parts And Warranties

The warranties you get when you buy car parts can vary from one component to another. Car parts used in the electrical system may have a shorter warranty than a mechanical part, and items that are going to wear, like brake pads and shoes, often have a limited-time warranty based on how long you have had them on the vehicle.

Because car parts have different functions and varying potential for wear, the manufacturers may limit how long they will replace a component for you. Most of the time, if you buy a part and it randomly fails, you can get it replaced. However, if it has been on the car for two years, you may find it challenging to get the vendor to give you a free replacement. 

Check with the associate at the parts store to determine the warranty on the parts you are buying and remember that car parts on the top price tier may not have a better warranty. 

Ordering Parts

If you try to buy car parts from a shop and they don't have what you need in stock, they can typically order it and have it in a few days. If the part you are ordering is something you are unsure of the right car part for your application, don't pay for it upfront. The parts store will often transfer the car parts to their store from a warehouse, and if you get the wrong replacement part, you should not be obligated to buy it. 

Most large auto parts stores can transfer the part back to the warehouse or keep it in stock, but there should not be a special order price unless they are sourcing parts from a dealer or manufacturer directly. For more information on how you buy car parts, contact a professional near you.

Share