Buying Spare Parts & Vehicle Identification Numbers REF•9
Buying spare parts
Spare parts are available from many
sources, including maker’s appointed
garages, accessory shops, and motor factors.
To be sure of obtaining the correct parts, it
will sometimes be necessary to quote the
vehicle identification number. If possible, it
can also be useful to take the old parts along
for positive identification. Items such as
starter motors and alternators may be
available under a service exchange scheme -
any parts returned should always be clean.
Our advice regarding spare part sources is
as follows.
Officially-appointed garages
This is the best source of parts which are
peculiar to your car, and are not otherwise
generally available (eg badges, interior trim,
certain body panels, etc). It is also the only
place at which you should buy parts if the
vehicle is still under warranty.
Accessory shops
These are very good places to buy
materials and components needed for the
maintenance of your car (oil, air and fuel
filters, spark plugs, light bulbs, drivebelts, oils
and greases, brake pads, touch-up paint, etc).
Components of this nature sold by a
reputable shop are of the same standard as
those used by the car manufacturer.
Besides components, these shops also sell
tools and general accessories, usually have
convenient opening hours, charge lower
prices, and can often be found not far from
home. Some accessory shops have parts
counters where the components needed for
almost any repair job can be purchased or
ordered.
Motor factors
Good factors will stock all the more
important components which wear out
comparatively quickly and can sometimes
supply individual components needed for the
overhaul of a larger assembly (eg brake seals
and hydraulic parts, bearing shells, pistons,
valves, alternator brushes). They may also
handle work such as cylinder block reboring,
crankshaft regrinding and balancing, etc.
Tyre and exhaust specialists
These outlets may be independent or
members of a local or national chain. They
frequently offer competitive prices when
compared with a main dealer or local garage,
but it will pay to obtain several quotes before
making a decision. When researching prices,
also ask what ‘extras’ may be added - for
instance, fitting a new valve and balancing the
wheel are both commonly charged on top of
the price of a new tyre.
Other sources
Beware of parts or materials obtained from
market stalls, car boot sales or similar outlets.
Such items are not invariably sub-standard,
but there is little chance of compensation if
they do prove unsatisfactory. In the case of
safety-critical components such as brake
pads there is the risk not only of financial loss
but also of an accident causing injury or
death.
Second-hand components or assemblies
obtained from a car breaker can be a good
buy in some circumstances, but this sort of
purchase is best made by the experienced
DIY mechanic.
Vehicle identification
numbers
Modifications are a continuing and
unpublicised process in vehicle manufacture,
quite apart from major model changes. Spare
parts manuals and lists are compiled upon a
numerical basis, the individual vehicle identifi-
cation numbers being essential to correct
identification of the component concerned.
When ordering spare parts, always give as
much information as possible. Quote the
vehicle model, year of manufacture, body and
engine numbers as appropriate.
The vehicle identification plate is located on
the bonnet lock platform behind the right-hand
headlight on early models, and on the left-hand
door pillar below the door lock striker pin on
later models. In addition to many other details,
it carries the Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN), maximum vehicle weight information,
and codes for interior trim and body colours.
The Vehicle Identification Number is given
on the vehicle identification plate. On later
models, it is also located on a plate visible
through the left-hand side of the windscreen
The body number and paint code numbers
are located on the vehicle identification plate.
The engine number location is dependent
on the engine type. On 4-cylinder M-series
engines (pre-1992 model year) the engine
number is stamped on the rear face of the
cylinder block, below the cylinder head. On
4-cylinder T-series engines (1992 model year
onwards) the engine number is stamped on a
plate on the forward facing side of the cylinder
block just above the sump flange.
On V6 engines, the engine number is
stamped on the face of the cylinder block
forward facing bank, adjacent to the timing
belt cover.
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