HOW OUR CAR PARTS QUOTES WORK — AND WHY WE RECOMMEND A WORKSHOP VISIT

One of the questions we get most on WhatsApp is: "how much will this part cost me?" Here is an honest, practical answer — how we quote for parts, where we actually source them, and why the most accurate price usually comes from a workshop visit rather than a guess over the phone.

Why We Can't Always Give An Exact Price Over WhatsApp

Car parts are not one-size-fits-all. The same "brake pads for a 2018 VW Polo" can mean three or four different part numbers depending on the exact engine, trim level and whether it was a facelift model. Get the part number wrong and the price quoted is meaningless. That's why we always give a fair estimate range over WhatsApp based on your make, model and year — but for a locked-in, accurate price, we recommend one of two things:

• Visit our Killarney Gardens workshop so we can check the exact part number against your vehicle, or
• Bring us a sample of the old part (or a clear photo of the part number stamped on it) if you can't get to the workshop — this lets us match it exactly before you pay for anything.

Where We Source Your Parts

We don't cut corners on parts. Depending on what your car needs and what's in stock, we source from established, reputable South African auto parts suppliers, including:

• Midas — one of South Africa's largest parts retail networks, good for a wide range of everyday parts and consumables.
• Masterparts — a Cape Town-founded parts supplier stocking over 55,000 items, with branches right across our service area including Bellville, Montague Gardens, Brackenfell, Strand and Kenilworth.
• Other reputable local suppliers and, where relevant, genuine or OEM-equivalent parts for German makes through our workshop partnership with Colmad Auto.

Where it makes sense, we'll also fit a part you supply yourself — if you've already bought pads, a battery or another component, tell us and we'll quote labour only.

Genuine vs Aftermarket vs OEM-Equivalent — What's The Difference?

• Genuine parts — made or supplied by the vehicle manufacturer. Highest cost, exact fit, best for cars still under warranty or motor plan.
• OEM-equivalent parts — made by the same factories that supply manufacturers, sold under a different brand. Same quality, lower price. This is what most independent workshops use for German cars once the motor plan has expired.
• Aftermarket parts — third-party brands, quality varies widely. We only use aftermarket brands with a solid reputation (like those stocked by Midas and Masterparts) — never the cheapest unbranded option.

We'll always tell you which category a quoted part falls into, so you can decide what's right for your budget and how long you plan to keep the car.

Got Tyre Trouble? Here's What We Recommend

Tyres aren't something we fit ourselves, but we get asked about them often — especially after a pothole or a worn-tread callout. If you need new tyres, look for reputable brands rather than the cheapest unbranded option, since tyres are the one part of your car with zero margin for error in the wet. Brands we'd point you toward:

• Continental and Michelin — premium, best wet-weather grip and longevity
• Bridgestone and Goodyear — strong all-round performance, widely available
• Dunlop — reliable, competitively priced, built for South African roads

WhatsApp us your tyre size and area and we'll point you to a trusted, reputable tyre supplier near you.

The Quote Process, Step By Step

1. WhatsApp us your car's make, model and year, and what's wrong
2. We give you a fair estimate range for parts plus labour at R750/hour
3. For a locked-in price, visit the Killarney Gardens workshop or send us a photo/sample of the old part
4. We confirm the final price before any work starts — no surprises