Spare Parts

Even the best cars sometimes need a little help. And while it?s true that having something go wrong with your new or used car can be a stressful situation, if you know what your options are, and are willing to do a little research, you can get the car parts you need---without breaking the bank as well.

• Is it covered by a warranty?

  One of the first things to do when something goes wrong on your car is to figure out if it?s covered under warranty. This isn?t just because it will save you money, but because you can actually void the warranty if you don?t follow car repair procedures correctly. If you purchased a new car within the last 3 years then it is most likely covered under the manufacturer warranty and usually all that is required is take the vehicle to the dealership you purchased it at.

  If instead you opted for an extended warranty, whether from the dealership or direct warranty companies like warranty direct or 1 source auto warranty, it will be important to look over your warranty contract. There it will spell out exactly what it covers---things like wear and tear are generally not covered under any warranty umbrella. And some warranties will charge a deductible per repair, which can mean hundreds of dollars if numerous things go wrong with your car.

• Dealership or Auto Part Stores?

  So let?s suppose your problem isn?t covered by your warranty. And you wish to find the parts yourself instead of paying thousands of dollars for some local mechanic to replace something like a clutch. Where are you going to find the cheapest deal on car parts? Well the answer really depends on the part. For many import manufacturers, like Volkswagen and Volvo, the only part that will actually suffice is a direct manufacturer part?and often only a certified dealer mechanic will be able to install it.

  But for most other parts auto supply stores like Napa, Kragen, Auto Zone, and inner auto?will be more than sufficient. Many of them have great websites that can actually quote you a price on the part you?re looking for. And with so many locations throughout San Diego getting auto parts is usually quite convenient.

• Auto Parts on the Internet

  When it comes to buying cheap car parts there may be no better resource than the internet. There are many sites to choose from, but some of the most popular are autopages, advance auto parts, carquest, o?reilly auto parts, and carpart.com. There you can find numerous parts from all over the country---minus the usual after market costs.

  But there is a risk. Most franchise auto part stores have a reputable return policy which you can depend on for defective parts, while many internet auto spare part sites are little more than web classifieds. Can you trust the out-of-town dealer selling you a transmission? Well it depends on the website you found the dealer on and the consumer protections they have built-in to their system. Like any other aspect of the car business, the more information you have and the more preparation you do, will help you get the car part you need?at a price you know you can afford.