Need a Hard-to-Find Car Part? A Plus Auto Has You Covered
Yes, we’ve all been there. That moment when your car requires some unique part, and it’s nowhere to be found.
The frustration builds when you call store after store, website after website, and make no headway. What started out to be an easy repair becomes an expedition that takes hours and tests your patience.
At A Plus Auto, we understand this challenge intimately. Our Lexington, KY family business built its reputation by solving the same problem that’s pushed so many drivers to the breaking point. We’ve made it easy to find hard-to-get automotive parts.
Our process for finding hard-to-find parts isn’t only different – it’s revolutionary. Check it out: why car owners around the country trust us when everyone else tells them, “that part simply isn’t available.”
The Challenge of Sourcing Rare Car Parts
The auto parts environment is more complex. Breakdowns in the supply chain have created record shortages, with COVID-19 having lopped 20 million units off worldwide vehicle production. Shortages in semiconductors continue to plague the industry, and evolving regulatory frameworks require makers to alter specs or replace certain parts altogether.
For the unique models, discontinued makes like Saturn or Saab bring special challenges. It’s hard to locate genuine parts when manufacturer assistance ends. For new vehicles, advanced options like adaptive headlights or bespoke electrics typically mean buying them at the dealership for outrageous prices.
It also affects more than the individual car owners. Body shops are unable to complete work, which causes:
- Extended vehicle downtime
- Increased labor costs
- Customer discontent
- Missing business chances
Steady sourcing then becomes the determining factor in whether the automobiles get back on the road or remain stationary in repair shops. Classic parts distribution simply was not designed to meet such contemporary demands.
A Plus Auto: Your Solution for Hard-to-Find Parts
We established A Plus Auto with a clear mission: make the impossible possible when it comes to auto parts. Our family business started small and grew to become the first choice for drivers and repair shops throughout the nation who need parts others can’t offer.
Our reputation matters. We’ve sold over 140,000 items and have received over 75 five-star Google ratings. We’ve built our reputation by resolving problems other people can’t. What makes us different?
First, we handle only parts for year models 2019 and beyond. We do this so we can be knowledgeable about newer models and inventory and be relevant to drivers in the present.
Speed matters when your vehicle is at the repair shop. That’s why we ship all parts within 24 hours after the order. Your repair does not sit in limbo for parts to make the arduous journey to you.
Our inventory contains all vehicle subsystems:
- Body parts including bumpers to trim components
- Interior parts like dashboards and seats
- Mechanical parts like engines and transmission
- Electrical elements ranging from sensors to control modules
All the components are thoroughly inspected before shipment so that you receive exactly what you need in working condition.
Strategies for Sourcing Hard-to-Find Components
Finding rare automotive parts requires more than luck—it involves intentional approaches. Most effective procurement processes use several complementary approaches.
Expanding the supplier base is the key to successful parts purchasing. Sole source reliance is an invitation to trouble; building relationships with multiple suppliers creates resilience. When the single source dries up, the alternates keep the parts flowing
Technology revolutionizes the search for elusive components. Sophisticated inventory management software monitors availability across networks of suppliers. Analytics forecast shortages before they happen, enabling the advance buying of parts just before they get tight.
Good supplier relations are worth more than money when buying hard-to-get components. Sound supplier relations typically provide:
- Limited production runs
- Dealer-only components
- Cross-compatible alternatives
- Advance notice of discontinuations
Forecasting strategically enables the needs to be anticipated before they become urgent. Anticipating repair patterns, vehicle population, and component failure rates, intelligent parts suppliers are at the front edge of the demand curves.
Most effective operations combine these techniques with comprehensive information about vehicle parts and vehicle systems interchangeability. Where direct interchangeability does not exist, information on suitable substitutes must be provided.
A Plus Auto's Approach to Sourcing Rare Parts
Our wide-ranging inventory forms the foundation of our success in providing hard-to-find components. We carry a large variety of parts for newer model years, continuing to build our inventory to fill new demand.
How do we find what others can’t? Our buying methods utilize technology and ingenuity. We use computerized inventory monitoring programs to scan the country’s network of suppliers. Electronic capabilities find available parts that go unseen otherwise.
Our employees have years of experience in car part identification. They are able to identify cross-compatibility parts when it is impossible to find the exact component. Most often the solution is not the exact part but the equivalent part with the same function.
Quality is always the first priority. All parts go through:
- Visual inspection for damage
- Where required, functional testing
- Verification for Compatibility with Supplied Vehicles
- Appropriate packaging to prevent damage during transit
Our customer-orientated ethos puts you at the center of everything we do. We spend the time to discover exactly what you need, sometimes asking probing questions that facilitate us to find the correct component for you. This advisory approach ensures that you get the correct part the first time.
Tips for Customers Seeking Rare Parts
When seeking an unusual or hard-to-locate part, how you define the requirements can be the deciding factor. Start with the most information you can gather—VINs provide the most accurate vehicle identification with no confusion about the trim level or options.
Knowing part compatibility reveals more options for sources. Most parts fit more than one vehicle model or year even with different part numbers. Request comparable substitutes when direct equivalents are hard to find.
Time matters when buying rare components. When you discover that a component is on its way to being rare, hurry. Waiting typically comes at the cost of increased price or even complete lack because stocks are being used.
Take these steps to search for hard-to-find parts:
- Photograph the original component from multiple angles
- Note any identifying numbers or markings
- Be prepared to describe the part’s location and function
- Maintain flexibility about new versus quality used options
These approaches significantly increase your chances of finding what you need without unnecessary delays or frustration.
Stop the Search
Finding hard-to-find car parts doesn’t have to be an exercise in frustration. At A Plus Auto, we’ve built our business around solving this exact challenge. Our specialized inventory, rapid shipping, and customer-focused approach have helped thousands of vehicle owners get back on the road when parts seemed impossible to find.
When you’re facing a repair that’s stalled due to component availability, remember that solutions exist. Contact A Plus Auto today and discover how our family-owned business can transform your parts-hunting experience from frustration to satisfaction.