Parts availability for older modern cars
Discussion
New here a d apologies if this is discussed elsewhere. I needed a new exhaust back box for my wife's 2012 Clio shopping car which we want to keep. Correct pattern part unavailable anywhere and my independent Renault specialist who I regard as completely honest and trustworthy couldn't even get one from Renault - no longer available. He had to cut the mounting bracket off the old box and weld it onto a new but different box He also mentioned similar problems with other parts. I find this alarming. Is it just Renault or is there a similar problem with other makes more than 10 years old ? I am looking for a small car for my learner grandson around 2007-2012 plate. Which makes have the best parts availability ?
Can't say I ever had an issue getting parts for the older BMWs & Audis I've run- they were registered in 2004 and 2008 respectively, both of them were pretty elderly too. May just be a function of there being a market for parts to be manufactured because cars from premium marques tend to be kept on the road for longer than lower end stuff which gets treated disposably.
Bit of an unanswerable question really as parts supply is an absolute monster of a subject and there are so many variables, it's pretty impossible to say which cars are better supported - it will come down to how long a manufacturer (be it car brands or aftermarket) supply will continue to make components for non current models, how many parts are held in group stocks around the world and how much consumer demand there is for certain components. You may find it harder to find a common part for a common model than it is to find an obscure part for a rare model.
Generally speaking, very very generally speaking you'll probably find the likes of Renault will quite quickly cease supply of things like a back box for a 2012 Clio as the demand is likely to be very low as I suspect the majority of people running a 2012 Clio will probably not be that enthused about paying dealer prices for an exhaust when the aftermarket options are likely much cheaper.
I wouldn't lose sleep over it personally, there's always solutions out there be it pattern parts, stuff from Europe, modifying stuff to fit or via various owners clubs or breakers yards. I've always driven older stuff, lots of friends and family drive older stuff and nobody has ever faced a significant issue - if anything certain parts for current models seem harder to source at times.
Generally speaking, very very generally speaking you'll probably find the likes of Renault will quite quickly cease supply of things like a back box for a 2012 Clio as the demand is likely to be very low as I suspect the majority of people running a 2012 Clio will probably not be that enthused about paying dealer prices for an exhaust when the aftermarket options are likely much cheaper.
I wouldn't lose sleep over it personally, there's always solutions out there be it pattern parts, stuff from Europe, modifying stuff to fit or via various owners clubs or breakers yards. I've always driven older stuff, lots of friends and family drive older stuff and nobody has ever faced a significant issue - if anything certain parts for current models seem harder to source at times.
It depends, really.
When I had my Panda 100HP, I could get pretty much anything that was functionally necessary, as it was all largely parts bin Fiat.
But model specific things like bumpers and trim weren't available.
Have found similar with other cars.
The French, however, seem to be absolute demons for minor changes of seemingly inconsequential parts that mean specific variations may not be available, which wouldn't shock me at all with the exhaust example. Probably available... with a different joint flange, or hanger mount layout, or tailpipe angle etc etc.
When I had my Panda 100HP, I could get pretty much anything that was functionally necessary, as it was all largely parts bin Fiat.
But model specific things like bumpers and trim weren't available.
Have found similar with other cars.
The French, however, seem to be absolute demons for minor changes of seemingly inconsequential parts that mean specific variations may not be available, which wouldn't shock me at all with the exhaust example. Probably available... with a different joint flange, or hanger mount layout, or tailpipe angle etc etc.
I have a Renault Clio 200 its a 2012 and done under 40k its a fantastic example but parts availability from Renault is hopeless, if it hasn't been discontinued its on back order with no ETA on when it will likely arrive. I have had issues with getting hold of gearbox syncros (very common issue was on back order) door handles (also common but discontinued) I recently was after a arch liner as one had a hole in. (backorder no eta).
I love the car, it has a brilliant FWD chassis but to be honest the shine of having it has totally worn off by the lack of availability of so many parts, even driving it now i think if i ever have a bump how am i going to get a new front bumper (2nd hand ones are scarce and Renault discontinued it some time ago) I am probably going to move it on next summer.
By comparison my 2007 MX5 is no issue, I've yet to find anything unavailable or a challenge to get hold of.
I love the car, it has a brilliant FWD chassis but to be honest the shine of having it has totally worn off by the lack of availability of so many parts, even driving it now i think if i ever have a bump how am i going to get a new front bumper (2nd hand ones are scarce and Renault discontinued it some time ago) I am probably going to move it on next summer.
By comparison my 2007 MX5 is no issue, I've yet to find anything unavailable or a challenge to get hold of.
Startinghandle said:
Thank you everyone for the helpful replies so far. Subaru Daihatsu and Mazda now on shortlist. M5 and WRX on wishlist ??
Bear in mind Daihatsu vacated the UK years ago, and while it may nominally be possible to get their stuff through Toyota, they were never huge here anyway.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff