I need a new indicator arm assembly for my Hyundai i20 09 plate. I know that there are a few on here who do their own maintenance so does anyone have a spiller of choice that they can recommend? Thanks in advance.
If you're happy with a second-hand part then see if you can find one from a car breaker, might be quite a bit cheaper
https://www.partsgateway.co.uk/
ebay also. Just make sure you've got the part number. I've also used Parts gateway for larger items, but there is a lot on ebay these days, direct from breakers.
Slightly o/t, how have you found the i20? Looking at either one of those or an i10 as a runabout
If you want mechanical parts you have a choice of either Euro Car Parts if your car's common enough, or Autodoc if it's not. However, if you want specifics like trim, lights, indicator stalks, control modules, seats, anything else, then you need eBay. It's the main place for 'vehicle recyclers' these days, which is what scrappies have become. And it's generally a very good experience. I've had all sorts from there and saved huge amounts of money. Most operators are quite efficient and they log the part numbers. Then eBay lets you add your car into your virtual 'garage' via its reg, and it'll tell you automatically if a part fits your car or not. It's not 100% reliable but that's because the parts databases themselves aren't. But generally it's good.
The part number will be on your original part somewhere, failing that there online EPCs (electronic parts catalogues) where you put in your VIN. I use ilcats.ru because it works and it's reliable, but it is in Russia. Navigating those is a trial in itself, but it always is, even for the dealers.
As per Molgrips above - Autodoc is my car parts supplier of choice. 1 1/2 weeks delivery times, ‘free’ returns if you leave the £4 box ticked.
However and most importantly Autodoc have a choice of manufacturers ranging from OEM down to Chinese crap.
For control arm / suspension components OEM is usually Lemforder. TRW are also good and a sub brand of ZF.
Ebay has a lot of Chinese rebranded crap - although ‘Parts In Motion’ seller is good.
Anything used is as knackered as one you're taking off.
Autodoc and Rockauto are my go-tos 🙂
Contrary to the above recommending Autodoc, I’ve had 3 poor experiences with them,and wont use them again. A pair of brake discs that were 5mm too small, which, on searching, was an option for an earlier version of my car - they had the full details inc. reg. no. when I ordered. A wheel speed sensor, which was of such poor quality that it split when I was (gently) fitting it, and the worst, an oil filter for my van. I did the oil/filter change, then red oil light would come on when idling. Searched, and it could have been a lack of flow through the filter. Filter was changed for an expensive Bosch filter, and no more red oil light.
Dealing with a German Co. for returns is not easy, especially when you tell them the parts have been fitted (or not fitted as they were the wrong parts wehn trying to fit them), and they just didnt believe me when I said the oil filter was restricting the flow, so never again, I only order from reputable UK based Companies, which is mostly ECP for service items.
I would go to ECP over Autodoc because they're local to most of us and they will take returns no questions. However I can't get anything for the Merc there besides consumables. But they were great for the Passat, I didn't even know about Autodoc until after I got rid.
However, getting good parts seems to be a lottery these days. I bought Lemförder engine mounts for the Merc from Autodoc and they were never great. I got fed up and got some from Merc and they were miles better despite looking identical. Similar story for fluid filled suspension bushings on the front.
YMF Car Parts are also very good
https://www.ymfcarparts.co.uk/
They're Yorkshire based but free delivery on orders over £30.
Autodoc have the potential to be the European equivalent of Rock Auto, but ruin it by waiting a week and a half before even starting to process your order. They used to be my go-to, but unless I was planning a winter overhaul or something I can't be bothered with trying to guess when they're going to start starting my order.
Rock Auto are decently priced, fast, and if you tick the 'pay customs taxes and charges now' box, then you know you're going to have what you need in hand in under 48 hours. And you usually get a fridge magnet or two. Useless when they get stuff wrong, though. Also, American, so currently on my supplier of last resort list.
I tend to use Winparts and Trodo these days.
Autodoc can be good, but they seem to only use Evri for delivery. Still cheaper on a Luk clutch than my local parts supplier who I have an account with.
I just check the price from ECP, GSF and eBay (usually Parts in Motion).
GSF or Eurocarparts.
Always worth checking main dealer prices, particularly for dealer only parts, like interior trim.
The main dealer can be cheaper than eBay etc in my experience of sourcing old Porsche parts.
Is there such a thing as a Hyundai owners group? They might be helpful
I always use Ebay sellers. I reckon it's where most of the online shops have set up now. It's nice that you can enter all your car details and it tells you if the part you select is compatible. Just got a new wing mirror from "Less 4 Spares" and it was spot on.
If you are ever after Honda parts then Yumbo in Japan are amazing.
I have a Honda engine on my boat and (as with all things marine) parts prices are bonkers - for example a cotton reel sized high pressure fuel filter would cost >£40 in the UK, direct from Yumbo is about £23.
All original manufacturers parts. You have to wait a bit for them to arrive but it's worth it (I buy 2 years worth of filters, etc. in advance).
I would be very wary of ordering from an overseas place that wasn't specifically set up for dealing with the UK because there are lots of subtle differences in cars made for different regions. I couldn't find a Prius Haynes manual, so I ordered one off the internet and it was the US model. Subtle differences all through, in the end I couldn't rely on it.