Whether you’re a keen amateur mechanic doing a bit of repair or restoration work, or the owner of a garage with a constant need for components, you’re occasionally going to need a part that’s a little bit harder to find than usual. When that time comes, it can pay to know who to turn to, enabling you to find what you’re looking for faster. While there are multiple places you could go hunting for a specific part, they are not all created equal. In this blog, we’ll break down a few of your options, helping you find the part you need in the shortest time possible and at the best price. Read on and make the smarter decision for your vehicle.

Bricks and mortar

Your first point of call is likely to be a franchised or branded automotive parts retailer. While you may walk in with high hopes, ask any dedicated restorer of classic cars what the average level of knowledge is in a car parts store and they will probably laugh at you. Unless you have the most generic vehicle on the market in a very recent model, you’re highly likely to leave the store empty handed.

The wild west

If you’re below a certain age, your first impulse may be to turn to the internet. This can be helpful for guiding you towards the right part, but you’re likely to run into similar problems as with the physical store. While the standard of education may be higher, you’re likely to find that with uncommon or older parts that everyone is simply out of stock and only deals in what they themselves can order from their supplier.

You’ll also be paying for shipping, and one of the iron rules of internet shopping is that if postage isn’t expensive, it’s extremely slow. If you rely on the vehicle you’re working on for errands or work, it could be out of commission for up to a month if you’re unwilling to pay steep postage rates.

Working with the professionals

So what is the right choice? In most cases, it’s going to the source. Online and physical stores are entirely at the mercy of their suppliers, so to get the broadest possible choice, go to the people who supply the stores. Many wreckers and automotive recyclers specialise in certain makes and types of vehicle. Find one who covers the vehicle you’re working with and start a conversation. It’s highly likely a compatible part is sitting in a car on their lot as you speak to them.

If you’re looking for parts of Nissan vehicles of any age, speak to the experts at NISS4X4 AUTOSPARES today.