Tips for Buying Aftermarket Exterior and Body Parts

The exterior and body parts of your car are essential, but they are also where you will find the most variation in quality. The best way to ensure that you get the right parts is to buy quality equipment without braking your bank.  Aftermarket exterior parts are often made by the same factory as the original manufacturer that made your vehicle, and thus they have been designed specifically for your vehicle. These tips will help you navigate the world of aftermarket exterior and body part purchases.

Know Your Vehicle

The first key to buying exterior and body parts is knowing exactly what you need. Take note of your car's make, model, year, and trim package before shopping. If you don't know already, get a VIN as well-this will be important when placing an order!

Make Sure You Order the Right Part Number and Trim Level.

Your vehicle may have a specific trim-level option, such as "Sport" or "LX," that determines which exterior and body parts you need. You should check all of your old parts before ordering replacements and your owner's manual for more information about your vehicle's specifications.

Care vs. Convenience

While aftermarket parts can be easier to find and cheaper than OEM parts, they can also require more upkeep and more frequent replacements than their factory-made counterparts. Consider whether an aftermarket replacement part will work for you before buying.

Ensure the Part fits

If you have an older vehicle, you may not have all the original paperwork on hand that lists the specifications for each part of your vehicle. You'll have to do a little research before you go shopping for replacement parts. Fortunately, most websites have tools that let you search for parts by make, model, and year, so you can easily find the exact part that fits your vehicle.

To make sure the part fits, take measurements before you buy. If possible, bring the part with you when you shop for checking for fit. You may also want to ask questions about installation and compatibility issues with other parts in your car.

Check for a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

It's a unique code that matches your car and can be found in different places on the vehicle, including the driver-side door jamb and the driver-side dashboard. A VIN is a 17-digit alphanumeric code that provides a lot of information about the vehicle, including manufacturing location, year, engine size, and many more details. Knowing where to find your VIN will help you when ordering parts because you can provide that number to ensure you get the correct parts.

Check the Parts

Once you have found a good deal on the parts you need, you will want to examine them before buying them. If they have been previously installed in a car, you will want to check for wear and tear or damage. You might also want to figure out how long ago they were used in another vehicle. If they are new, then there should not be anything wrong with them, but it is still a good idea to check for any defects or damage that may have occurred during shipping or handling.

Decide When to Repair vs. Replace

While repairing is generally cheaper than replacing, there are times when replacing is worth it. Sometimes repairs don't work as well as they should over time, or they may be more expensive than replacing an entire part in the long run.

Consider Price and Quality

You want your car to look great and last for a long time, but you also want to avoid spending more than necessary on repair costs. If you're looking at replacing body parts such as bumpers or fenders, consider buying a not-so-popular color like black or white instead of red or blue since those colors will cost less than those in high demand. If you need mechanical parts, like an engine or transmission, consider buying used rather than new ones since used parts since they could cost will cost less.

Find the Right Source

Trust the experts at Partsmax for all your aftermarket auto exterior and body parts.  We will help you get the right part for your vehicle, which means we can provide parts that are guaranteed to be compatible with your vehicle's make and model. We are located in Florida, but you can also order parts online. We deliver within a few days, depending on your location. Visit our catalog to learn more about our top-quality auto parts