Troubleshooter: Finding parts and service for discontinued cars is a pain in the trunk
If there’s anything worse than your favourite auto shop tech telling you that a part your vehicle needs is discontinued, it’s when your particular model line is dropped or when the entire company folds up camp and heads for parts unknown.
But there are alternatives when you’re eager to keep your faithful chariot on the road.
First, let’s dispel a common myth: There is no rule, regulation, or law that requires an automaker to keep a sufficient supply of any part on hand for a predetermined number of years. So yes, that critical widget for your eight-year-old SUV can go the way of the dinosaur without any repercussions, other than your aggravation and inconvenience.
Basically, the only law that applies in cases like this is that of supply and demand. When the demand drops or the supply becomes unworkable, the part, component, model, or in some cases the entire line can disappear. Think of companies such as Saab, Isuzu, and Suzuki (cars and SUVs) as examples.
For many common repair parts, aftermarket companies will pick up the slack as long as there’s money to be made. Brake pads, rotors, filters, and drive belts top this list, but it also includes alternators, water pumps, coolant hoses, common gaskets and seals, and much more.
If you regularly deal with an independent repair shop or regional/national chain, this isn’t much of a problem because they are part of the aftermarket.
But factory dealerships don’t deal with aftermarket suppliers nearly as much as independents and this lack of experience can become a roadblock to getting quick service. If you wish to continue working with a dealership, check your area for independents that specialize in your ride and ask them who they source their parts through. Then pass this info on to your regular shop to see if they can use this supplier as well.
Don’t assume that another company that makes a twin model to yours can supply parts. Just because a Pontiac Vibe is a rebadged Toyota Matrix (for example) is no reason to believe that either company’s retailer can supply interchangeable parts. Yes, the running gear on these two models may be identical, but neither retailer can assure you that their parts are the same. This might not be an issue for a $5 part you can return without penalty if it doesn’t fit, but can be a different story with a $1000 non-stocked item.
When dealing with a dis- continued vehicle line, salvage yards — or auto recyclers as they prefer to be known — can become your best source for parts. Many now offer warranties on their components for up to a year or more for a nominal fee. Another recent development is that some recyclers only deal with repair centres and not the public.