Az495a car owner's reference: how to choose auto parts

Az495

Practical guides

The first article in this section covers choosing a part by VIN and part number. The result: you have the exact number of the part you need, you know which aftermarket parts match it, and you know what to check on delivery.

Before you start

  • Your car's VIN or frame number
  • Model year, engine and trim level
  • If possible, the old part or a photo of it showing the number
  • A sense of whether you need an OEM part or an aftermarket one will do

  1. Find the VIN or frame number

    The VIN has 17 characters and appears on the registration certificate, the vehicle passport (PTS/EPTS) and a plate in the car. Some right-hand-drive cars built for the Japanese market use a frame number (chassis number) instead of a VIN.

    The letters I, O and Q are not used in a VIN, so they cannot be confused with the digits 1 and 0.

  2. Find the part number in the catalog

    Look up the part by VIN in the manufacturer's electronic catalog: it takes the trim level, market and production date into account. If you have no access to the catalog, ask a dealer or seller to find the number by VIN and send it to you in writing.

    A number like MR178827 for Mitsubishi or 12345-67890 for Toyota.

  3. Check the number against the old part

    The number is often stamped or printed on the part itself. If it does not match the catalog, the part may have been replaced before — find out which one is fitted now.

    Photograph the markings on the old part before you go to the seller.

  4. Find aftermarket parts by cross-reference

    Aftermarket manufacturers publish tables that map their parts to OEM numbers. Choose an aftermarket part by part number, not by the part's name.

    The aftermarket table refers to an OEM number — make sure it matches yours.

  5. Compare offers for the same number

    Compare like with like: the same number, new or used, warranty, delivery time, return terms.

    A price difference may simply mean one offer is OEM and the other is aftermarket.

  6. Check the part on delivery

    Before fitting, check the number on the packaging and on the part, and compare its appearance and mountings with the old part. A part that has been fitted is harder to return.

    Keep the receipt and packaging until you have finished checking.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing by make and year without taking engine and trim into account
  • Ignoring the facelift and the car's market version
  • Comparing prices for different parts sold under the same name
  • Fitting a part without checking its number and appearance

Alternatives

  • Selection by VIN at an official dealer — accurate, but not always quick
  • Selection by the workshop that will fit the part — the workshop takes responsibility for compatibility
  • Buying by the number on the old part — if you are sure the old part is OEM

Result checklist

  • VIN or frame number known
  • Part number found in the catalog and written down
  • Number checked against the old part
  • Aftermarket parts chosen by cross-reference
  • Offers compared for the same number
  • Part checked before fitting, receipt kept

Publication catalog for English-speaking readers

This section will feature standalone articles for English-speaking readers around the world. They are written for this audience and are not translations of articles from other language versions of the site.

Topics the editors are planning

  • Buying parts for a car imported from another market
  • How to read the markings on tires and batteries
  • Using a VIN decoder: what it can and cannot tell you
  • Preparing a car for winter: a parts checklist

Editorial rules

  • Articles in this catalogue are written separately for each language version and are not translations.
  • Some articles link to third-party websites, including gaming services; we do not control their content, prices or terms.
  • We do not publish unverifiable brand ratings, prices or reviews.
  • Reference

    Terms and part number formats — the essentials, with examples.

  • Questions and answers

    Short answers: OEM, cross-references, VIN, frame number, facelift.

  • Reading lists

    Reading paths: what to read before buying a part on your own for the first time.

Sources

  • ISO 3779 — VIN structure
  • Carmakers' electronic catalogs (via official dealers)
  • Aftermarket manufacturers' cross-reference tables

Information is current as of the preparation date. Manufacturer catalogs and part fitment change — check the official catalog or a dealer before buying.