Need to buy spare parts for your car? You don’t just have to wait on the mechanic to get them because you’re more than able to buy them online. Nowadays, we can simply type in our car’s model and search for the parts we need, purchase them online, and have them delivered to our door. As convenient as this is, it doesn’t come without issues, and online shoppers should always err on the side of caution when ordering car parts online.
Let’s take a look at how you can safely order car parts online. Here are some tips to help you ensure that the parts you’re ordering are of good quality and right for your car.
What parts should you go for: OEM or Aftermarket parts?
This question has plagued those in the car industry for years now. In general, Original Equipment Manufactured (OEM) parts will provide you with better quality and performance overall when compared to aftermarket parts. This is because OEM parts are designed by the original manufacturers of the vehicle, designed to meet their quality standards and offer your consistency across the board.
On the other hand, aftermarket parts are designed and manufactured by third-party companies that might change the design slightly or use inferior materials to design them. As a result, these parts might be of a lesser quality and could break sooner in your car, resulting in you having to fix the problem again. Because of this, OEM parts are usually the better choice. That said, some aftermarket brands have designed parts that may exceed the quality and performance of OEM parts. So, do your research, and you might find a better deal.
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How to buy car parts online
When it comes to looking for car spare parts online, you can’t see the product properly before buying it in most cases, so it’s important to check what you’re buying thoroughly before you do. Here are some tips to help you buy car parts online:
- Set a realistic budget
First things first, do a little research about your car’s issue. It’s always advisable to take it to a professional mechanic for this part so it can be properly diagnosed. You can ask them to quote you on how much the part is going to cost, and this will give you a good idea of how much the part might cost you online.
- Choose quality
We partly answer this above, but, in many situations people purchase aftermarket parts based on their price, hoping that they’d save a few bucks but unknowingly compromising on quality. Unfortunately, this ends up costing them more because they have to replace the part sooner than they would if they spent more on a quality product.
- Look for reviews
Sift through product reviews to check if anyone has had a bad experience with the product you’re considering. Often, we filter the reviews and only look for low reviews (1-2 stars) to see if anyone has had serious issues with the particular product. Also, check the good reviews, though. Often, people give a bad review based on their subjective point of view, but in fact, the product is quite good. So, to get a more accurate picture of the product’s quality, check both good and bad reviews.
- Has the part been certified
In addition to reviews, check that the product has been certified and has been given vehicle-type approval before you buy it. Because online stores aren’t as easy for the government to regulate, they might sell parts that have been certified.
- Check customer support
Check whether the site you’re purchasing your parts from has good customer service or even an option for customer service. You don’t want to have an issue with a part and no way to return it.
- Is the manufacturer well-known?
Again, consider which manufacturer made the parts that you’re purchasing. Are they well-known, and do they have a reputation for manufacturing decent quality parts? Like most things, car part manufacturers will develop a name for themselves, either because of their good quality products or because of the sub-par products. Learning which brands are good will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
- Cross-reference the part number
In rare cases, you might find a product that looks similar to yours in size and shape but is slightly different, which you only find out when it arrives. To avoid making this mistake, check the product number on the part you need and match it to the product online that you’re considering purchasing.
- Does it come with a warranty?
One of the benefits of purchasing OEM parts is that they will often come with a warranty. When ordering parts online, choosing parts with a warranty is essential, especially if you’re concerned about the quality of the product. Warranties just provide you with a level of insurance if the product arrives faulty or damaged.
- What is the return policy?
In addition to having a warranty, check whether the product has a fair return policy and what the requirements in the policy stipulate. You don’t want to get caught out by the fine print.
- Is the online payment method secure?
Before you make your payment, always check that the payment method is secure. Look for payment methods like PayPal, Wise, or with a credit card. Don’t share your payment information with dodgy platforms that you don’t know. If you need to, do a little research into how reputable the payment method is first.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing parts online is now super convenient because you don’t have to blindly trust the mechanics on a price. You can check the parts for yourself and even order them. If you do your homework right, you can find good-quality parts from a reputable supplier. Follow the tips above, and you’ll find online shopping a breeze!
