The Financial Times (27 Sep 08) reported that Motor World, the new car parts and accessories group, has gone into administration, with the loss of 300 jobs. The Administrators, BDO Stoy Hayward, have closed 40% of its national UK network of car parts retail units.
Pacific Retail has purchased the bulk of Motor World car parts shops (approximately 135). What factors brought about Motor World’s demise? Well several scenarios have been put forward, but I can tell you some of mine. Analysts point to the worst UK Automotive trading figures this summer, since the 1960’s. Did not the rising demand for used car parts on the internet, using systems like CarSpareFinder, play a major factor?
This week (1 Oct 08) the Automotive Industry learned that Wembley based Euro Car Parts, one of biggest suppliers of vehicle parts in the UK has taken over a Yorkshire competitor, the excellent Sheffield based LSUK. It claims this move will protect the future of 600 jobs. LSUK’s has over 50 car parts outlets and subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
Likewise, the UK Automotive Car, Van and Bike Parts sectors, perhaps mirroring the Global banking industry, is involved in widespread consolidation as firms reorganise and reposition themselves to deal with any downturn in the Global economy. The internet is providing the growth area for car parts, and maintains its volumes despite the obvious slowdown on the high street. The high cost of fuel and transport is another factor online driving car parts sales. The single biggest factor has to be the time saving, the ease and simplicity of locating and purchasing car parts online, and as importantly, the outstanding value-for-money in purchasing used car parts are the principal ‘drivers’ of revenue growth. The UK Dismantlers and breakers, like those members of the CarSpareFinder Business Community, are best able to take advantage of the new opportunities for car parts sales, supported by an ever increasingly sophisticated next day delivery courier network which delivers very good customer service and achieves the high levels of customer satisfaction enjoyed by CarSpareFinder breaker clients, and consumers alike.
The turmoil this month (Sep 08) in the US Financial markets, leading to further downward pressure on the UK economy and the UK Automotive industry in particular has played a part in strengthening the used car part sector. The UK Motor industry has seen a sharp fall in the value of used vehicles this summer and autumn, and it is much more than in previous years. Some estimates of car depreciation put the drop as much as 25-30% of new and nearly new vehicles for this year alone. Cars worst affected are the large 4 x 4s and the bigger family cars.  In April 2009 the new VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) comes into effect, which aligns heavy fuel consumption to the Government’s new green taxes structure. The slowdown in the car market has been caused by the Global Recession and the continuing fear of rising Interest rates and inflation. However the interesting factor here for us is the positive affect on the car parts sector as a whole, and the continuing demand for used car parts and parts location services (like CarSpareFinder), in particular.  People are holding off buying a new car, or replacing it. There is evidence of extending the ownership of car from new, from 3 years to 4 years or more. Linked b y cause and effect is an increasing demand for replacement car and van parts, and the consumer desire to extend the life, value and quality of car and light commercial lifetime ownership. Is this upward trend in demand for used car parts a ‘flash in the pan’ or is it likely to remain for sometime? It appears there are 2 main factors which are behind the present strong demand for car parts, unlike many other industries (retail, diy and home furnishings, financial service and holiday sectors) who have all seen a very sharp fall in business.  Firstly, people are being charged too much to borrow the money they need to fund their spending e.g. purchase of a new car. Secondly, vehicle depreciation, which can be many hundred of pounds sterling a month, has gone into ‘free fall’. It has surprised even the Automotive Industry experts just how fast it has happened, with larger cars with bigger engines being the worst affected. What might be influencing the used car parts marketplace? ·        4 x 4 and Large family car owners may be reluctant to ‘write off’ the value of their cars if they trade it in. By hanging on to the car, their requirements for replacement parts increases (crash repairs, new bulbs, tyres, replacement engines and gearboxes etc.) ·        When they need parts, they are much more inclined to accept a genuine recycled part (e.g. engine, gearbox, body panel) of a similar age and condition to their present car. ·        Cheap counterfeit car parts from Eastern Europe and the Far East, has a counter effect on consumer demand for genuine used car parts from establish UK breakers and dismantlers. ·        Less newer cars means that the demand for used cars is greater, which means that more garages and mobile mechanics are attracted to doing up cars and bringing them to market. This increases demand in the motor trade for used car parts. ·        Demand for scrap metal in the UK is increasing due to the demand for metals from the growing Indian and Chinese industries, encouraging cars to be scrapped using services like scrap-car which is a free service offered by CarSpareFinder to the General Public and UK breakers and dismantlers.
I was just scanning through some of CarSpareFinder’s used car parts requests today (Wednesday 17 September 2008) and I came across a used Nissan car parts request for a Nissan QX Dashboard complete on a ’57 plate. Luckily one of CarSpareFinder breakers had one in stock – I believe the price for this used car part was £85 plus vat and delivery. This car part new might be as much as £500, from Nissan Car Parts direct. The difference in value between new car parts and used car parts sourced on parts location sites like CarSpareFinder is clearly evident.
What sort of used car parts are the most popular? One might be forgiven thinking it is the ‘old bangers’ which are the most sought after for second hand car parts? This is not the case at all. The example above of a dashboard complete for a Nissan 12 months old used car part shows that it ranges for car parts for the ‘nearly-new’ sector i.e. cars less than 24 months old, and the second hand market extending to models 15 years old. Breakers have a preference for the fast moving used car parts sector i.e. car parts most in demand namely for models from 3 to 6 years old (currently 02 to 55 plates). I suspect the near to 2000 one gets the lower the price for used car parts is. I don’t have exact data to prove this but some rough and approximate analysis of CarSpareFinder’s car part requests indicate the used car parts for car models before 2000 represents approximately 40% of the total, making 60% for car parts 8 years of less.
What are the most popular kinds of car parts requested on CarSpareFinder – one of the UK’s leading parts location services for car parts, van parts, and motorcycle parts? The answer is probably obvious to most people when they think about it – replacement car parts for crash repairs. This includes bumpers (front and rear), bonnets, headlamps (offside and nearside), wings (offside and nearside), doors (offside and nearside), wheels, and radiators. Of course, engines and gearboxes are extremely popular, and CarSpareFinder receives over 200 hundred a week of used car parts requests for transmissions and car and van engines. Last Thursday (11 September) I noticed VanSpareFinder received over 7 diesel engine (complete) van part requests in one day, and over 20 in the week. It just shows how much demand there is in the UK for car parts to keep cars and light commercial vehicles on the road.
Autumn 2008 and the UK is now officially in recession. Registrations of new cars are down 20%. Retail shops have reported a sharp downturn in takings. Despite the cripplingly high cost of both diesel fuel and unleaded petrol, artificially high because most of it is Government tax, transport will remain essential business and personal expenditure. Demand for used car parts has steadily risen over the past 10 years. The automotive industry anticipates an ever increasing need to recycle, with future legislation committing car and car parts manufacturers, car parts suppliers, car dealerships, dismantlers, breakers yards, and scrap dealers to recycle a greater percentage of their inventory. Over two million cars are written off every year in the UK. It is estimated that 10% i.e. 200,000 need not have been shipped to the scrap-yard. Insurance companies are looking at changing how they calculate accidents and write offs, by offering customers an option of repair work with used car parts. This is in accordance with environmental initiatives. At present it not compulsory for insurance customers, but the time is fast approaching when it may become the norm rather than exception. This extra demand will be a further boost to the growing used car parts market. CarSpareFinder, one of the leading internet parts location services, attracts over 140,000 unique visitors a month to its website. It has launched other initiatives to help breaker yards distribute and sell more of the stock of recycled car parts, such as CarSpareAuctions. It is also helping raise the profile of breaker yards by the launch of Breaker Yard Finder, which will hopefully encourage more consumers of used car parts source the products locally.
Everything seems to be going up these days, from fuel, to energy and even food. But there is still bargains around for certain items, including cheaper car parts. With 2 million cars been taken off the road each year, breaker yards have millions of car parts to dispose of, and you are the beneficiary of the cheaper prices. By using CarSpareFinder’s online request form, your car part request will be whisked to several breaker yards at once.
Not matter what make of car you have, from Vauxhall to a top of the range Mercedes, there are more than enough car parts available to keep your motor on the road. There can be huge savings, especially for larger items such as engines and gearboxes, which in most case have a guarantee to ensure you get many more miles from your car.
There are other reasons beyond saving money for why you should buy used car parts and that is also contributes to saving energy and reduces land fill. By re using your car parts, you save the need for manufacture and also having them disposed. Very often the car parts you order will be genuine manufacture makes, that came with the now salvaged car from new, rather than a cheap import from China.
Currently Vauxhall and Ford owners are the main users of the CarSpareFinder system, making thousand’s of car parts requests every week. They know they get a great deal and save money, buying guaranteed car parts. So join the informed and start using CarSpareFinder to find your next requirement for your car.
2008 saw a reduction in new car sales, meaning more older vehicles will remain on the road increasing the need for car parts over the following years
Car Head Units are considered to be the most important component of your audio system. Head Units come in different sizes (DIN). Double and single din Head Units are the most used ones among car owners. It is a good idea to look for something that is fits your car and can be easily integrated.
Single Din Vs Double Din Head Units:
In a vehicle where size is limited, having a single din head unit is your best choice. These units offer incredible features in small package such as DVD video player, flip-out motorized LCD monitor, Bluetooth integration, equalizer and remote control. All these features have made single din receivers the best solution for most car owners. Despite all these benefits, some single din flip out monitors might block your dashboard and controls access. If that is the case, it’s recommended to get a unit with a built-in DVD screens to avoid the annoying flip-out! An example of single din units: Jensen VM9312, Dual XDVD700
Double din head units are great if you have the space for it. These units offer features such as navigation, DVD player, Touch screen monitors and more. Unlike the flip out monitors, double din units give you a full
control over you audio and video without the hassle of flip-outs. Moreover, most double din units have 7 inch wide screen monitor for maximum visibility. An example of double din units: Dual XDVD8265, Pioneer Avic D3.
The great features double and single din receivers offer have made it easier for car owners to choose the best unit for their cars.
Exactly two months back, I was standing at a similar crossroad and spoken to a handful of buyers who were interested in buying my Vauxhall. It was a tough decision because I just love my car minus the used Vauxhall part problem. This is when by accident I came across the carsparefinder website. I found all used Vauxhall parts as well as genuine parts listed with their price and are available for various models. It is a relief that I am not standing at the crossroad anymore!
When you have a Vauxhall, you know you can flaunt in style. I have a deep maroon colored 8v Vauxhall Vecra that my entire family is proud of. My son also loves to drive it whenever he gets a chance but one of these days the car was hit by a motorbike while he was driving. He had minor injuries but the car had considerable damage due to the high speed collision. Now my mechanic was able to repair the dents and scratches but changing the windshield, the headlamps and the front guard was quite a difficult proposition. Some of the parts were available at quite a price and the rest were just impossible to find. I not only searched the Vauxhall spares store in our vicinity (Warwickshire) but I also went as far as Liverpool but couldn’t find any.
Upon calling up the Vauxhall customer service, they gave me information of where all I could find the Vauxhall Vectra spares I was looking for and carsparefinder was one of them. I am truly amazed at the extensive listings on the website of all spares with their price and believe me the price is less than what I was offered in the market.
If you are an owner of a Vauxhall car then you must be lucky and proud just the way I am. I had bought my Vauxhall Vectra 4 door saloon a good 4 years back. I had to spend a lot of money for three years on buying Vauxhall parts from spare part stores. So it came as a real surprise when my wife who rarely drives the car came and told me to check carsparefinder. I actually didn’t pay heed to her advice and went on to purchase spares from the stores in my vicinity. When I checked my annual account, I was taken aback. My car repair and spare part bills amounted to hundreds of Pounds. So I checked carsparefinder as I desperately needed to cut down on the expenses. I wasn’t sure what I would find here but the surprise was pleasant. I checked all the Vauxhall Vectra parts available on the website and when I saw the price I was dumbfounded. All I said to myself was, “I wish, I had checked earlier then I would have saved so much more� I also learnt an important lesson: sometimes we should listen to what our wives have to say.
I have been driving various Vauxhall models since almost 11 years now and the one thing I love about them is the powerful and untamed Vauxhall Vectra engine. This is a one of a kind V6 engine that will make sure that you get to enjoy your drive and get the thrill of going at high speeds. Of course it might not be possible to drive through the busy intersection of the Piccadilly but a long drive in the countryside will not only make your Vauxhall show its true power but also let you unwind as it drives you. I am a proud owner of a Vauxhall Vectra and no matter how much I praise the Vauxhall Vectra engine; it always seems less.
I currently own a Vauxhall Vectra 4 door saloon. This Vectra has a 1.6 L, 75 PS (55 kW), 8 valve engine, and I got it replaced by a 16-valve. Imagine the transition from a 8V to a 16V. It is like power unleashed! But the one thing that I would like all of you to know is that if ever you need to buy a Vauxhall spare then look up the comprehensive listing of Vauxhall spare parts at carsparefinder. It is like a one stop shop!
