Socialbites.ca reports that auto dealers face ongoing shortages of automotive components, from consumables to major assemblies. The discussions circulating in the industry highlight a shortage of oil filters for Volkswagen engines with 1.4 and 1.6 liters displacement used in models such as Polo, Taos, Tiguan, and others, all centralized under Volkswagen Group Rus inventory.
Beyond European-made brake pads, there are also no air filters for the Teramont SUV, no gear oil for the DSG wet clutch transmissions, missing plastic sump plugs for 2.0-liter engines, and a range of other parts, according to a dealer source. The situation encompasses several franchise networks as well.
“The list is long—and a single day isn’t enough to fix it all,” commented one industry insider.
Currently, most dealers resort to purchasing non-genuine consumables to meet demand, according to a dealership employee.
Requests for information on stock at the central warehouse and plans for replacements yielded no immediate response from Volkswagen’s Russia office. In warranty scenarios, auto service centers have begun warning customers that delivery times are uncertain if parts are out of stock.
cannot be bought
Car dealers have restricted parts sales to third-party buyers at retail. Instead, parts are routed to authorized service centers for consumable replacements. One representative of a major automotive group noted that dealers have started leveraging restored parts salvaged from disassembled vehicles to fulfill obligations for customers.
The challenge grows with large, technologically sophisticated units, which typically can only be purchased through official channels.
For instance, at the BMW Rolf dealership, the Mechatronics unit for the BMW X1 crossover, a key electro-hydraulic component in the automatic transmission, was not readily available in the socialbites.ca correspondent’s visit. Availability fluctuates between in-stock and out-of-stock signals.
At the Metropolitan Mercedes-Benz dealership Avtoforum Sheremetyevo, a torque converter for the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 could not be procured for a timely repair, and brake pads for the GLE SUV were unavailable, the dealer explained.
“Unfortunately, this is the current reality. Spare parts can’t be ordered in all cases, and repairs may not be completed on time.”
Rolf Khimki’s parts department noted that brake pads and air filters for the Mazda CX-9 cannot be bought at retail, with unclear timelines for deliveries of normal stock. A Major Auto employee warned that genuine brake pads for the Jeep Compass SUV were scarce in the central warehouse.
Car dealers don’t deliver
Two weeks earlier, the Association of Russian Auto Dealers (ROAD) voiced concerns about the shortage of original components and sent inquiries to brand representatives. Most responses obtained by Socialbites.ca indicate a pattern of limited supply from brands themselves.
Sollers Ford disclosed a policy shift allowing dealers to purchase original spare parts either from the company’s central warehouse, from independent dealers, or from any authorized dealer. The chain also cited organizational constraints tied to AvtoVAZ as a factor delaying shipments of components.
Subaru reported European delivery difficulties, with shipments paused from February 25 to March 10, and Mitsubishi noted that only stockpiled parts were being used for now. Jaguar Land Rover warned that its current stock would last about two and a half months. Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz offices informed ROAD about warehouse availability in sufficient quantities, while Renault did not provide a substantive update.
Socialbites.ca pressed auto companies for current component statuses. Mitsubishi Motors in Russia (MMS Rus) indicated a long lead time of 50–70 days and that several months ago a buffer warehouse was established to avoid shortages for the moment.
“As long as the situation isn’t critical,” stated Vera Pavlova, ROAD’s Director of Public Relations, in a comment to Socialbites.ca.
Get it done in a month and a half
The shortage of dealer-held parts does not automatically extend warranty timelines, reminded Sergey Radko, a lawyer with the public driver movement Freedom of Choice. He noted that consumers have the right to demand penalties if repairs are not completed within 45 days and may seek termination of the sales contract with potential compensation based on today’s market value.
Radko explained that dealers might invoke force majeure to delay repairs, in which case a court would resolve the matter. He added that regulatory bodies such as Rospotrebnadzor can impose penalties on dealers, while consumers retain the right to enforce warranty repair obligations and seek penalties for non-compliance.