Where to find cheap parts for an older car
Finding reliable, affordable components for older vehicles is difficult because established platforms often leave buyers uncertain about part quality and compatibility. This uncertainty makes it hard to secure necessary replacements like smog-compliant engines without overpaying or guessing at vendor reliability.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- Most of it landed at once — the busiest month was September 2026, with 10 people.
- This comes up 11.0× more often in r/MechanicAdvice than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Checking mainstream auto parts stores like O'ReillyDid this help you?
- 2Ordering online through RockAuto, Amazon, or TemuDid this help you?
- 3Searching local junkyards or online inventories like car-part.comDid this help you?
- 4Looking into high-dollar aftermarket manufacturers like K-tunedDid this help you?
- 5Buying stock replacements from RockAutoDid this help you?
- 6Asking online communities to verify parts listsDid this help you?
- 7Checking the VIN-specific part number on the sticker of the current moduleDid this help you?
- 8Using duct tapeDid this help you?
- 9Plastic welding by melting plastic onto the housingDid this help you?
- 10Checking eBay for used parts or searching breaker yards since new ones from the dealer are expensive.Did this help you?
- 11guessing what parts are neededDid this help you?
- 12taking the car to a professional or shop to check it outDid this help you?
- 13getting a junkyard spindle with everything attachedDid this help you?
- 14Attempting to cross-reference and interchange parts from similar vehicle models like a Hilux.Did this help you?
- 15Buying parts from online stores for cheaperDid this help you?
- 16Having a local shop do the inspection and get a quote without sharing the chain shop's pricing or suggestionsDid this help you?
- 17Buying replacement bulbs on Amazon for a cheaper priceDid this help you?
- 18Buying parts from WalmartDid this help you?
- 19Sourcing OE parts through eBayDid this help you?
- 20Using aftermarket brands like Cloyes from RockAutoDid this help you?
- 21Searching random specialty online OEM parts websitesDid this help you?
- 22Buying from third-party auto parts sitesDid this help you?
- 23Searching on AmazonDid this help you?
- 24Purchasing used partsDid this help you?
- 25Buying from RockAutoDid this help you?
- 26searching online for individual partsDid this help you?
- 27looking up every individual junkyard's website and inventoryDid this help you?
- 28Asking online mechanics/forums for trusted aftermarket parts websitesDid this help you?
- 29Having a friend install the part to save on labor costsDid this help you?
- 30Looking for remanufactured units with warrantiesDid this help you?
- 31Cross-referencing OEM part numbers or using VIN lookup tools before buyingDid this help you?
- 32cross-referencing parts from similar vehicle models to find cheaper optionsDid this help you?
- 33ordering new hardware and gaskets in anticipation of old bolts snapping during installationDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Need help finding a abs module for a 2005 nissan frontier 4x4 manual v6”source ↗
“OEM is $1500-$2000 which is frankly insane.”source ↗
“A new engine, the one it has doesn’t pass smog here in the central coast California. That would be great. At first gears the car pulls lots of gas says the smog mechanic.”source ↗
“six paragraphs of links and not one of them helps find an ABS module”source ↗
“I’m having trouble finding this online to purchase! Not 100% sure what I’m looking for so any suggestions would be helpful !”source ↗
“not in the budget unfortunately”source ↗
“Firestone is quoting $3000 for parts and labor to replace two control arms on the front, the two loaded struts, and the twin tube shock absorber. What are some online stores that offer quality parts for cheaper?”source ↗
“Firestone is quoting $410 for the CA 10634 CONT ARM FRT LH LWR alone. Just one! Any advice is helpful.”source ↗
“What is this piece called and where can I get it without going to a dealer 🙄”source ↗
“The piece itself is broken and I can’t get it back on. What is this piece called? I’d like to buy a new one and attach it myself without spending 100s of dollars on something that’s prettt cosmetic.”source ↗
“Is there an online junkyard database or junkyard “group”, so to speak, that shows inventory of multiple junkyards? Something that’ll go find the part and ship it for you (assuming you have the right info) in a grouping of junkyards?”source ↗
“I live somewhere without any junkyard within a reasonable drive.”source ↗
“Is there a site where I can put in what I need and it’ll search a junkyard database, “pick it” (send in the order), and get it shipped to you, without having to look up every individual junkyard’s website/inventory?”source ↗
“the mechanic shop I took it to quoted me $7000 which is basically what the car is worth and I straight up can’t afford it…”source ↗
“now my issue is trying to find a refurbished/non oem steering rack. Does anyone have any advice or trusted websites that I could order from?”source ↗
“I really don’t wanna get the wrong thing and prolong this even more..”source ↗
“Im just super concerned with ordering and then getting scammed or the wrong part.”source ↗
“The real headache is getting the flanges to line up perfect without having to break out a torch and a big hammer”source ↗
“I have never ordered parts from rock auto, is this a good parts list or would y’all recommend something else or not even from rock auto?”source ↗
“are there any small things someone who isn’t car savvy would forget when ordering parts?”source ↗
“How important is this? Replacement part is about $300 from GM, any work arounds I can do until I get the part?”source ↗
“steering wheels for these cars are strangely hard to find in my country”source ↗
“My headlight died last week and I’m looking to see if you have a suggestion for where I can get one D3S bulb that isn’t as expensive as retail price?”source ↗
“A local mechanic told me to try and source an OEM timing chain kit, but that seems ridiculous for a 2006 car - I can only find OE stuff on eBay (might be counterfeit) and random [guyname]mazdaparts.com websites.”source ↗
“Open to any/all suggestions, I don't live in aftermarket-parts-land so sourcing anything OE-grade locally would be a PITA.”source ↗
“Cloyes would be from RockAuto, anything OE would have to be sourced through eBay since i live on an island.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 9How to find discontinued car restoration parts
- 5How to find a reliable used car under $2000
- 8Why are even old used cars so expensive now?
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- 9Where do I find wholesale suppliers for a small business?