There will come a time in all car owners’ life where they’ll have to go shopping for brand-new parts to replace old ones, and while experts and veterans have no problem going to town, the newbies and fresh car owners are left to fend for themselves. So, to help spread awareness and avoid misinformation, today we’ll be taking a look at all your options for buying new car parts.
What If I Have A Bulletproof Car Maintenance Program?
In theory, a bulletproof car maintenance program should keep you covered for most of your needs, but the reality is that everything you meet on the road dabbles in uncertainty, and there’s no telling what type of wear and tear your car goes through. It’s like training to be an ironman triathlete; you might think you’re ready to go with training alone, but nutrition and diet, or in this case, your car parts, can fail you if you don’t give them attention.
So, regardless if you own a brand-new car or an old one, getting new parts is inevitable, so it’s best to know where and not need it than need it but don’t know where.
#1 Shopping At Authorized Dealers
Number one is dropping by your authorized dealers and getting OEM parts. This spot is the go-to place when you need specific things because they are sure to have them in stock. So, when it comes to low-volume items that don’t get many sales numbers, authorized dealers are a sure bet to have them.
Furthermore, it’s easy to score discounts if you need repair facilities or technicians, but do be warned that OEM parts can be relatively expensive at times, and the full retail price might be shocking to first-time buyers. So, this place is excellent as an assurance but doesn’t always offer the best deals.
#2 Trying Auto Stores
Sometimes you have to treat yourself with a gift, and the same concept applies to your car, and no place can offer a better selection other than auto stores. In some cases, some parts sold here can exceed the quality of OEM parts, which makes them great replacements if you’re planning to give your car an upgrade. It’s not uncommon to spot great deals as they also have competing auto stores to contend with.
Although you might want to spend extra time shopping around and going to places, this might not do well for you if you’re low on time. If you can spare a couple of hours or so, then give it a shot to learn the ropes and know the best places to score in your locality.
#3 Used Parts And Remanufactured Parts
While we usually wouldn’t advise parts that aren’t new, if you’re strapped for cash and your car is in dire need of assistance, it is possible to score a significant bargain on used-parts remanufactured parts. Although it might sound scary, successful salvage operators can spot a diamond in the rough and can offer you great prices incomparable to store items. The same goes for rebuilt items and remanufactured parts, and while they won’t be top-quality, make sure to get a warranty, and you’re pretty much safe.
Balance Budget And Quality
Overall, you want to balance budget and quality, so do as much research around your neighborhood and see what options are available to you. As a quick side note, if you’re running an electric car, then it might be more sound advice to stick with OEM parts as these are still much of a niche, and there isn’t a lot of specific parts going around yet. So, it’s much better to be safe than having to ring a professional electrician to explain why your car isn’t charging.
