Your car is becoming a major stress factor in your life and your bank balance is running low. You need a quick fix on a small budget (Don’t we all?). And although quality or OEM second hand parts are a legitimate and an affordable option, sometimes a used car part just isn’t the best or safest solution.
At EeziParts – your affordable, quality second-hand car parts specialist – we hear you and are committed to getting you back on the road safely, even if it means recommending that certain parts should not be bought second-hand. While there are hundreds of reliable used car parts that we can supply, there are some second-hand car parts that we cannot recommend.
Here are five car parts you should NOT consider buying second-hand:
#1 Tyres
Chairperson of the South African Tyre Manufacturing Conference, Darren Hyes, said, “The consequences of fitting second-hand waste tyres can be dire. They reduce the performance of a vehicle by increasing stopping distances, raising the risk of skidding and increasing the risk of blow-outs.”
Fitting used tyres may also impact insurance pay-outs. According to the Automobile Association, in the event of a crash, an insurance claim could be refuted if the tyres are found to be in a poor condition.
These are both reasons to opt to buy new tyres for your car over second hand ones.
#2 Belts
Maintenance on the belts on your car serves to ensure that your vehicle functions properly. A damaged (or broken) belt can have serious and costly implications. Whether it’s the timing belt, serpentine belt or v-belt causing the hassle, replacing them with second-hand parts should never be your plan of action.
If the serpentine or timing belt snaps, your car is not driveable and will need to be towed – resulting in costly ramifications for you. Rather play it safe and buy new belts.
#3 Brake pads
It’s not rocket science to work out that a car’s braking system is vital to passenger safety. Replacing your brake pads should not be an item that you buy second-hand or try to delay. Second hand brake pads are second-rate – plain and simple. Motorists are advised to replace brake pads as soon as they hear a squeaking sound or see a warning light appearing on the dashboard.
Don’t opt to buy a used car part to replace such a vital cog in the vehicle’s machine. Rather choose safety and choose new.
#4 Clutch kits
If you are having difficulty changing gears, feel a vibration when you press on the clutch or struggle to accelerate when you rev the engine, then your clutch is probably letting you down and you might need to replace it.
The clutch of a vehicle functions to link the engine and transmission; allowing the driver to detach the linkage in order to shift gears or keep the engine going when the car has come to a halt. Included in the clutch kit are three components: a clutch disc, a pressure plate and a clutch release bearing. These work together to ensure the smooth running of your car and can be bought together for a more reasonable price than buying them separately.
While we are committed to saving you money, we also want to ensure your safety on the road, so we don’t recommend that you buy these from a used car parts vendor.
#5 Service kits
Since a professional car service can cost an arm and a leg, you might be considering purchasing a service kit to get your hands dirty with a little auto DIY.
Items included in service kits may vary but generally include the following: air filters, fuel filters, oil and lubricants, oil filters, spark plugs and brake pads.
The idea may be a noble endeavour (if you have the experience for the job), but servicing your vehicle with these second-hand car parts and products is not clever. It won’t make your car more reliable and will waste you time and money in the long run. This is definitely not the time to explore your inner mechanic. (As the saying goes, ‘Penny wise, pound foolish’).
Find all the used car parts you need at EeziParts
If you are looking for a car part not mentioned above, chances are that you can buy it second-hand with us.
At EeziParts, you simply tell us the car part you are looking for and we’ll find it, price it and supply it to you from our vetted and premium list of suppliers.
All our used car parts are quality checked and packaged prior to delivery to ensure your peace of mind.
