How to Save Money on Car Parts in the UK

Last updated: February 2026 · 6 min read

UK drivers spend an average of £500–£800 per year on car maintenance and repairs. A significant portion of that goes on parts. The good news is that with a bit of knowledge, you can cut your parts bill substantially without compromising on safety or quality.

1. Compare Prices — The Same Part Varies Hugely

The single biggest saving comes from comparing prices across retailers. The same Bosch oil filter might be £7.50 on Amazon, £9.99 at Euro Car Parts, £6.80 on eBay, and £12.99 at Halfords. That's an 85% price difference for identical products. Multiply that across every part you buy over a year and the savings are significant. Price comparison tools exist specifically for this — use them.

2. Understand Brand Tiers

The aftermarket car parts industry has a clear tier structure, and understanding it helps you make smart decisions about where to spend and where to save:

3. Know When to Go Budget and When Not To

This is the key insight that separates smart savers from those who end up spending more in the long run. Some parts are fine to buy cheap. Others really aren't.

Safe to go budget: Wiper blades (you'll replace them annually anyway), cabin/pollen filters (simple filtration job), number plate bulbs, screenwash, and other simple consumables where the part either works or it doesn't, with no safety implications.

Worth spending mid-range or OEM: Brake pads and discs (safety critical — cheap brakes can have inconsistent friction, longer stopping distances, and fade under heat), oil filters (cheap media degrades faster, reducing oil protection), air filters (poor quality can allow particles through), timing belts and water pumps (failure is catastrophic on interference engines), and any suspension components (affect handling and tyre wear).

4. Buy Parts Yourself, Even for Garage Fitting

Many independent garages (not main dealers) will happily fit parts you supply. You pay their labour rate but save on the parts markup, which can be 50–100% above trade price. Call ahead and ask — most will agree as long as the parts are the correct specification. This is one of the best ways to save money while still getting professional fitting.

Be aware that most garages won't warranty work done with customer-supplied parts, so if the part itself is faulty, you'll need to claim against the parts retailer rather than the garage. This is rarely an issue with branded parts from reputable sellers.

5. Time Your Purchases

Parts retailers run regular promotions. Euro Car Parts is known for frequent "up to 50% off" sales — signing up for their email list means you'll rarely pay full price. Amazon often has lower prices during Prime Day (July) and Black Friday (November). eBay runs regular discount codes. If a part isn't urgently needed, waiting a few weeks for a sale can save you 20–40%.

6. Consider DIY for Simple Jobs

Some car parts are genuinely easy to replace with basic tools and a YouTube tutorial. Oil and filter changes, air filter replacement, wiper blades, bulbs, and cabin filters are all straightforward jobs that most people can learn to do in their driveway. Front brake pads are also doable with basic mechanical confidence. The labour saving alone (typically £50–£100 per hour at a garage) quickly adds up.

That said, leave anything involving suspension, timing belts, fuel systems, or electrical diagnostics to a professional. Getting these wrong can be dangerous or very expensive to fix.