The internet has proven time and time again that it is a great source for comparison shoppers looking to save money. The Internet’s newest opportunity to save your precious money is on expensive car and truck repairs. Historically, auto repair savings have been limited to the do-it-yourself or backyard mechanic; Ultimately, the savings came in the form of labor. Fortunately, those days are over, as more people use the internet to source and purchase the auto parts they need online, then take them to a local garage or backyard mechanic to have them installed. The internet provides comprehensive coverage of virtually any and all truck and car parts and can offer significant savings compared to your local auto parts store. I have heard of savings of over 70% on some aftermarket parts. If you factor in the old standard calculation of auto repair costs (50% parts + 50% labor), the total savings could be as high as 35%.

Let’s take a typical 4 wheel brake job as an example. The vehicle I used was a 2001 Chevy Cavalier – 2.4 liter engine with front disc brakes and rear drums. I made a few calls to local auto parts stores (I purposely avoided dealerships and OEM parts to generate a better price comparison). I did not include clamps.

I was able to get front semi-metallic brake pads, front rotors, rear brake drums, rear brake shoes, and new brake hardware online for $101.40 which included shipping and all applicable taxes, delivered to my door! The same brake parts (I specifically did not select any parts that they classify as “Premium” level parts) from a local auto parts store were $345.47. To be honest, I was a bit surprised by the fact that I was able to save over 70% on aftermarket brake parts. I thought a 70% savings would be specific to parts that were normally “dealer” specific.

A couple of other things to note, I’ve heard that shops are starting to charge a higher hourly rate if you bring your own parts, a capping fee if you like. It’s not unusual, as they typically mark down the auto parts they buy for you by at least 20%. However, the overall additional cost to you is minimal, since they usually receive a garage discount from the auto parts store.

Another important consideration is making sure you buy the correct auto parts online; Determining with 100% accuracy which auto part will fit your vehicle can be very difficult. Most online stores offer toll-free numbers and friendly, knowledgeable staff who will cross-reference your vehicle to ensure you get the correct parts. You don’t want to end up with parts you can’t use and possibly have to return them at your expense (some online stores also charge a restocking fee). Another option is to contact a dealer to confirm the part numbers you need before purchasing online. Dealers can use your VIN # and provide another level of accuracy when it comes to identifying the correct part for the correct vehicle.

Simply put, there are significant savings available online for auto parts. Gone are the days when the only way to save money on car repairs was to do it yourself or hire a local mechanic.