When running any kind of garage or car repair workshop, time is money – and having to wait for certain parts or components to arrive can end up costing you a lot of both. So it makes sense that having plenty of spares on hand (especially of the most useful components) can save you a lot of time, help you boost efficiency – and maximise your income.
Here at RAW2K, we have a huge range of seized and salvage vehicles to choose from in our online car auctions, so there’s no shortage of options to choose from if you need something to strip for parts. And if you’re wondering exactly which parts it’s best to prioritise, here are our top suggestions!
Engines and ECUs
Engines are the core of any vehicle, and dealing with engine failures often involves complex and costly repairs. Having spare engines or key engine components like pistons, camshafts, and crankshafts can make a significant difference in your workshop, as they’re vital for both major repairs and complete engine rebuilds.
Spare engines save valuable time by reducing the need to wait for parts and provide a crucial resource for handling older or less common vehicle models where sourcing individual components might be more challenging. Plus, having a spare engine helps manage unexpected failures more effectively, ensuring smoother operation in your garage.
Similarly, engine Control Units (ECUs) are essential for managing various aspects of vehicle performance, including fuel injection, ignition timing, and emission control. Due to their critical role, having spare ECUs on hand provides a major advantage. When an ECU malfunctions, it can cause a range of performance issues and may leave a vehicle inoperable. Keeping a selection of ECUs available helps you quickly address these problems and minimise vehicle downtime.
Transmissions
Transmissions are crucial components that manage the power transfer from the engine to the wheels. Given their complexity and high replacement cost, keeping spare gearboxes or complete transmissions can be incredibly useful. These parts endure significant wear and tear, and their failure can be both disruptive and expensive to address. They can sometimes be difficult to source too, depending on the make and model of the car in question, so maintaining a good stock of them can help avoid prolonged wait times for parts and reduces costs for your customers.
Suspension components
The suspension system of a vehicle is crucial for maintaining ride quality and handling. Struts, shocks, and control arms each play a specific role in this system. Struts are integral for supporting the weight of the vehicle and absorbing road shocks, which helps in maintaining stability during driving. Shocks complement struts by controlling the rebound and damping of the springs, which is essential for smooth driving over rough surfaces.
Control arms, on the other hand, are pivotal for connecting the suspension system to the vehicle’s chassis and maintaining proper wheel alignment. Worn control arms can lead to misalignment, causing uneven tyre wear and compromised handling. What’s more, components such as bushings and ball joints, which often accompany struts and shocks, can also wear out and affect vehicle performance, so it’s never a bad idea to keep a spare stock of them on hand.
Brake systems
Brake systems are essential for ensuring vehicle safety, with components such as callipers, discs, and master cylinders playing crucial roles. Callipers apply pressure to the brake pads, which then press against the discs to slow the vehicle. Over time, callipers can experience issues such as leaking or sticking, which affects braking performance.
Brake discs can become warped or worn, leading to vibrations or decreased braking efficiency. Master cylinders are responsible for generating hydraulic pressure to activate the brake system; failure here can lead to a spongy brake pedal or complete brake failure. As with many other components on this list, it’s a crucial part, so the car will effectively be off the road until the brakes can be replaced – making it a good idea to keep some spares aside if you can.
Alternators and starters
Alternators and starters are critical electrical components that support the vehicle’s battery and ignition system. The alternator generates electrical power to recharge the battery and supply power to various electrical systems while the engine is running. If the alternator fails, it can result in battery drain and loss of power to critical systems like the lights and air conditioning. Starters are responsible for turning over the engine and initiating the combustion process.
Common issues with starters include wear of the motor or solenoid, which can result in the engine failing to start or starting intermittently. They’re not hard to replace, and alternators and starters are typically easy to obtain from most car parts stores and online retailers, but availability can vary for less common or older vehicle models, so it’s a good plan to have some in stock if you can.
And of course, if you ever need a replacement engine, alternator, or set of brake pads, it’s always worth taking a look through our very own online car auctions here at RAW2K, for salvage cars that can be stripped down to provide a variety of useful components.
Our salvage cars are refreshed on a daily and weekly basis, and we also include makes and models available from some of the world's leading manufacturers and, as we know now, firm public favourites like Volkswagen, Ford, Renault, and many more. Why not take a look at our online car auctions, and see what you can find?
