Cheap car parts ?

Obi167

Hello all,

After a whopping car repair bill, I have decided to have a go at doing repairs and general maintenance on my 15 year old motor.

So without any previous experience and armed with the newly purchased Haines manual and an already dirty rag I open up the bonnet, realising I have no tools or parts. Now most of the tools I can borrow, and I can get some advice from mechanic friends (although I know they get hassled a lot by others, so hoping to keep it to a minimum). But the parts - I have no idea where is best (and cheapest) to buy them.

To start with i'm going to have a go at replacing the spark plugs, but wanting to move on to bigger (harder) and more expensive repairs - so where do I get the parts.

Ideally I would like someone to say 'there is a nice on-line home delivery one-stop-shop cheap car parts website at https://www.niceon-linehomedeliveryone-stop-shopcheapcarparts.com'. Is this the case or is it better to find a good local motor factors.

Your advice is appreciated, hope someone can help.

Hintza

What car?

German and Swedish would be my first port of call.

movingforward2010

You can usually get quite good discounts by joining an car club. But until you tell us what car you have I can't suggest one

goldspanners

ebay has plenty of parts new and used. that would give you the home delivery and competitive prices.
or you could try and wangle a halfords trade card, thier prices are a bit too high without the trade card but with the card the prices beat ebay on occasion for the run of the mill service items and usually good quality.
alternatively get pally with your local independant motor factors,they can discount heavily for regulars.

anewman

The Bosch Super 4 spark plugs are a great price at Halfords with the trade card. Cheaper than Ebay.

Also internet forums for your model of car are a great resource in addition to the Haynes manual (so you don't have to hassle your mechanic friends). Haynes doesn't always do a great job of explaining how to do things, and sometimes tells you you need to take steps that you do not actually *need* to.

goldspanners

anewman wrote: »

The Bosch Super 4 spark plugs are a great price at Halfords with the trade card. Cheaper than Ebay.

yes they are, i bought them from halfords. and maybe it was just me but i did notice a small improvement in performance over the genuine ford ones i had in previously.

Obi167

Thanks for the help thus far, My car is a Mazda 323 L reg.

Rolandtheroadie

I normally call a company called TMS (are they nationwide?), then another local car accessory shop, then a quick check on ebay.
I weigh up cost and how quick I want it and decide from there.

As far as tools go, I got the big socket set from Halfords as it's a not too bad start. Keep checking, you'll get it for £100 at some point.

goldspanners

scotsman4th wrote: »

I normally call a company called TMS (are they nationwide?), then another local car accessory shop, then a quick check on ebay.
I weigh up cost and how quick I want it and decide from there.

As far as tools go, I got the big socket set from Halfords as it's a not too bad start. Keep checking, you'll get it for £100 at some point.

you should try dingbro,thier prices are really good at times. especially if you can leach onto a trade account,they take cash sales.

as far as the halfords socket set goes then now is the time,i got an email last week and its back down to £99. its a bargain and an ideal starter kit i say.

Obi167

I've bought lots of things from e-bay. never thought of getting car parts for some reason! Its looking good - Thanks.

Rolandtheroadie

goldspanners wrote: »

you should try dingbro,thier prices are really good at times. especially if you can leach onto a trade account,they take cash sales.

Never tried them, i'll take note.
Neighbour must work for some sort of car hire/fleet place cause when I was needing bits for the wifes last car, she got them for buttons. Some place in Bellshill.