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Best Vehicle Accessories, Parts & Tyre Shops
When one of your car parts becomes faulty or wears out, it affects the smooth running and safety of your car. Accurately sourcing the right replacement part is important, and there's a balance to be struck between quality and cost. Continue Reading...
Latest review: I replaced my factory blades on my 2015 Mazda 3 last year with some random wipers from a auto retailer. They were about $65 and were skipping and squeaking within the first few weeks. I finally had
- Product Quality4.9 (854)
- Return Claim MadeYes (20) · No (861)
Latest review: If it wasn’t for [Name Removed] (Victoria) who was my saviour I would give them a -5 rating if I could. 1 star rating is being very generous. Organised tyres to be fitted on a Tuesday, received a c
- Product Quality4.9 (472)
- Return Claim MadeYes (7) · No (519)
Latest review: Perfect fitting shades that are secured simply with a magnet. No more cheap shades that flap around while driving on the freeway. Website was a breeze to navigate and delivery was
- Product Quality4.9 (295)
- Return Claim MadeYes (6) · No (287)
Latest review: Reached out to the for some advice and to order a part - turns out I didn’t need the part to fix the issue I had but we’re still super happy to provide really meaningful help - great customer ser
Superior Engineering
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: Great service from the boys here at superior sorted me out quickly and hade my new coils delivered to me in no time definitely be coming back for more goodies with the next build
Latest review: Very very helpful. The shop assistant advised me on the product I needed, packed and pushed out the trolley to my car and loaded everything in for me. Outstanding
Latest review: Large size, came ready to use, perfect size for a mini dachshund who loves to jump on the couch. Great service and quick
Latest review: Was Able to scan range of alternative tyres brands and duties via the selection offered helping pick the type and price I
Ozzy Tyres
· includes 9 listingsLatest review: Hilly called to let me know the wheels I had purchased were out of stock and within minutes had sent photos through of other options he thought I'd like. He had great style and went with his first
Latest review: July 2021. Purchased 2 x "new" Michelin Latitude HP tyres. One tyre was dated 41 week 2017, second tyre was 4618. Tyres were old looking and dirty and obviously had been lying around for years.
Latest review: easy to install and looks great. Great quality for the price we paid. All custom made to fit the car.
Latest review: 3rd battery in 4 years first one replaced under warranty now its failed in just over 2 years so the 3rd battery to put in, i will be buying another brand hopefully Australian
Latest review: Loved everything about my dealings with Coverworld. Easy to order and a quicker than expected delivery. It was the final piece of the puzzle to complete our motorhome look! Quality is awesome!
Latest review: Jason at Easi was vey helpful at sourcing very competitive prices for my many vehicle options sort. I cross checked prices these with other leasing providers and dealers and Easi came up best, so got
Latest review: Turned up on time, did the job, polite and friendly. All good, no problem and still typing to make up 20 words so i can submit
Latest review: Just received my executive cx3 floor mats and they are of the highest quality and a perfect fit. Highly recommend these guys, the quality is far better than the genuine
Latest review: Courtesy of Ebay I purchased a replacement headlight assembly for my BMW 530I from Run Autoparts (at a very competitive price too, I might add). Three days later and it arrived on my doorstep in
The Car Kit Company
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: The CARKIT staffs are amazing, great job and great customer service. Highly recommend this company Sam is a great guy, great communication skills, friendly and arrived on time. 5 stars for
Latest review: I found tyresales on the net when looking for tyres for my car. The website showed the tyres I wanted and stated they came with extra bonuses like wheel alignment, free fitment etc. when I got there
Latest review: Bought a pair for my 08 cx9 and a pair for my 14 ranger I have fitted them to the cx9 and Woow the difference these wipers actually clean the windscreen no residue no squeaks just takes the water off
What are the different types of car parts available?
Genuine parts
These refer to the same parts that were installed in your car when it was originally manufactured. They carry the manufacturer’s logo and packaging. They are trickier to find than other types of replacement parts. You're more likely to find them at a car dealerships - which will be able to source the genuine part and install it.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts
While these aren’t branded with the car manufacturer’s logo, they are built by the company that was originally contracted to install the parts in your car. These parts are equally as reliable as genuine parts, fitting just as well, but are cheaper than genuine car parts.
Aftermarket parts
These car parts are made by third parties, as opposed to the manufacturer or Original Equipment Manufacturer.
There are two types of aftermarket parts: cheap auto parts designed to be as affordable as possible, and performance aftermarket parts, which are specifically re-designed to be an improvement on the genuine or OEM part.
Most car accessories are also aftermarket additions to a car. This refers to any addition that’s not factory fitted by the manufacturer - like air conditioning or airbags, and that's also not a dealer-fitted extra - like wheel packages.
Aftermarket accessories can include: car seat covers, floor mats, battery car chargers, car sun shades, and window tinting. As these post-sale additions sold by car accessories shops aren't manufacturer-approved, aftermarket accessories aren’t covered by a car warranty.
Where can I buy car parts?
Car superstores
These refer to auto parts stores that are large chain stores. Some examples are Supercheap Auto and Repco. Most of these chains have hundreds of locations nationwide. For example, Repco has 400 stores around Australia, so there’s likely to be one near you.
Pros
- In-person and online shopping options mean you can speak directly to staff for help and guidance.
- Large range of stock when it comes to car parts and accessories, and car care. Often superstores have a large chain of suppliers. Selected motorcycle parts are sometimes available, such as filters and spark plugs.
- Ability to search by rego or VIN number online means you can often input your unique car details. THe retailer's website will then have a label informing you whether car parts being sold are compatible with your vehicle.
Cons
- Can be tricky to find rare car parts in a car superstore, which is more likely to stock generic or commonly found parts.
- Poor build quality issues for cheaper car parts can sometimes be encountered.
- Often more expensive than online alternatives, as you’re paying for the convenience of being able to walk in store, talk to a specialist staff member, and walk out with the new car part immediately in your hand.
Car dealerships or direct from the manufacturer
Car dealers aren't just for buying cars, but they also often sell car parts as well.
Pros
- Wide range of parts and accessories available, which are branded for your specific car make and model. Most of these will be genuine parts or OEM parts.
- Don’t have to DIY as parts and labour are usually completed together. This means you won’t have to spend time figuring out how to install parts, or source a garage to fit them for you.
- Often backed by a warranty from the brand, creating a clear trail of accountability.
Cons
- Often a more expensive option than sourcing car parts any other way, especially if you say yes to having the part installed for you at the dealership.
- Not always practically possible to fit parts as many parts and accessories need to be fitted during the build process. Usually only aesthetic changes or replacements can be made.
Third party retailers
Third party retailers sell aftermarket parts, rather than branded parts and accessories. You can buy these aftermarket parts either in-store or online.
Pros
- Some aftermarket parts are of equal or superior quality to genuine or OEM parts. This is more likely to be the case with performance aftermarket parts.
- Good for specific, niche accessories such as aftermarket exhaust systems, roof racks, and storage boxes.
- Often offer a wider range than the manufacturer when it comes to car parts and accessories.
Cons
- Can be issues with fitting correctly as not all third-party systems offer the same fit as genuine and Original Equipment Manufacturer car parts.
- Can void your new car warranty depending on the part, such as those involving engine performance upgrades.
- Poor quality can sometimes be the result of aftermarket parts that are cheaply made and sold.
- May be expensive if they’re engineered specifically to perform better than a genuine or OEM part when first installed in a specific car model. Third party accessories can be solidly built - such as Thule roof carriers, but this will make them more pricey.
Online Retailers
As you can't always know 100% what you're going to receive in the mail, the process of Making a return claim should be clearly outlined on an online retailer's website. Reading online reviews from fellow car owners can also help you determine how easy it is to return a car part or accessory with a particular company.
Pros
- Can often be brand specialists which provides more peace of mind when it comes to getting the correct fitment for specific car parts, such as exhaust systems, wheels, brakes and engine parts.
- Can be quick and convenient if the part or accessory you’re looking for is commonly available and easy to find online.
- Can be cheaper than buying in-store, provided that fees for shipping and delivery aren’t too high.
- Will include a warranty as part of the sale (at the very least, an Australian Consumer Law warranty) since these are online businesses, compared to individual sellers on ebay and Amazon.
- Further guarantees may be provided. For example, Run Auto Parts provides a ‘fitment guarantee,’ which allows you to get a full refund on a car part that doesn’t fit properly.
Cons
- Could turn into a headache if the car part you’re trying to source is especially niche and you’re spending hours trawling the web to try and find it. It may be easier to consult with a car dealer or a staff member at your local parts store for guidance.
- Unsuitable if you need a replacement part ASAP due to the waiting times caused by shipping and delivery. This is particularly the case if you’re ordering from an overseas retailer.
- International shipping risks such as damage to the product, and time spent in goods quarantine, can extend the time that the car part or accessory takes to reach you.
- Must be extra careful that the parts and accessories ordered from overseas retailers will match the Australian car make and model. Even the same car make and model can have subtle differences between countries.
Second-hand parts
If you’re looking to save a bit of cash, it’s possible to source used parts from private sellers (usually online) or from a junkyard, where you'll find plenty of spare car parts.
Pros
- Good for sourcing niche parts no longer made by the manufacturer or OEM.
- More affordable than buying new parts.
Cons
- More risky from a consumer standpoint as buying from a private seller means there’s no warranty. Buying a second hand part doesn’t guarantee a working part, which can leave you in the lurch if you need an emergency part and you end up buying a lemon.
- Existing wear or damage is another risk borne of buying a used car part. You may unwittingly end up paying more to replace the part again if it stops working soon after purchase.
- Sellers can jack up the price for particularly rare parts, which can make it easier to pay much higher than a fair price. For this reason and the sake of reliability, it’s often better to source rare parts from a car dealer.
Where can I buy car parts for cheap?
Car parts can be expensive, and it makes sense to prioritise being thrifty so you don’t pay an arm and leg for a replacement part.
However, if the choice boils down to saving some cash or sourcing a reliable part, always choose reliability over a cheap price. Prioritising a low price over everything else often means you can wind up with a poor quality car part - or one that simply doesn’t fit in your car. This means you’ll spend more money buying a replacement part for your replacement part - making the extreme pursuit of thriftiness a more expensive exercise, in the end.
Are ebay or Amazon a good place to buy car parts?
eBay and Amazon can be a convenient avenue to buy used car parts, but you need to know exactly what you’re looking for to find the right car part. Namely, you need to know the specific part number and manufacturer name.
Amazon and ebay are online marketplaces with private sellers who are everyday individuals. As a result, ‘mislistings’ can be common. This refers to the incorrect labelling of car parts on the online selling platforms, which can cause you to buy the wrong part. In other cases, the ebay Parts Compatibility catalogue can be incorrect, making it unreliable to solely rely on. Both of these factors make it easier to buy a part that won’t fit in your car.
To avoid this, it may be better to buy parts with the brand/ manufacturer name on the box, if possible, as this helps guarantee that the part will be the right fit. However, as this will be a genuine part - this is likely to increase the price, which may cancel out some of the positive cost-saving benefits of shopping on ebay or Amazon.
Finding used parts at the junkyard
This can be a cost-effective option if you have some mechanical experience or are a fast learner when it comes to cars.
Self-service junkyards (also called auto dismantlers) allow you can find the specific part you need for your car make and model, remove it from the car it’s currently fitted to, and attach it to your car instead. You’ll probably have to bring your own tools. The main appeal is that you can find auto spares for extremely cheap prices.
However, as with all used parts, there’s no warranty or way of guaranteeing that there is no existing damage or wear and tear to the car part that you salvage.
The bottom line
Overall, when sourcing car parts and accessories, prioritising the correct fit for your specific car make and model is the top priority.
While buying online or second-hand can present both convenient and cost-effective options, they can make the issue of transparency trickier in terms of sourcing a good quality car part that’s compatible with your vehicle.
Doing thorough research on the specific part number and fair asking price for a prospective car part or accessory will work in your favour. This will help ensure you get both a good deal and a car part that goes the distance with your car.