How to find the right part for your car

Ordering the wrong part wastes time and money. Most fitment mistakes are avoidable if you check a few details before you buy.

Start with the registration number

The registration tells a supplier the make and model, and often the engine. It is a good starting point, but it does not always show every option the car was built with, so it is not a guarantee on its own.

Check the details that change the part

The same model can use different parts depending on a few factors. Note down:

• the engine size and fuel type (petrol or diesel);
• the year the car was first registered;
• the gearbox type, manual or automatic;
• whether you need the front or rear part, and the left or right side.

Brakes are a common example: the same model can have different disc and pad sizes depending on the engine.

Use the number on the old part

Many parts carry a manufacturer's part number. If you can read it on the old part, send it with your enquiry. It is often the quickest way to match a replacement.

Use the VIN if you are unsure

The vehicle identification number (VIN) has 17 characters and identifies your exact car. You can find it on the V5C registration document, and usually at the base of the windscreen or on a plate in the door frame or engine bay.

Compare before you fit

When the new part arrives, hold it next to the old one before fitting. If the shape, size or connections differ, stop and check before going further.