What changed?
With a shortage of spare parts, owners of the largest cars, which have wider parts availability, find it easier to cope. Focusing on popular models, this piece examines which cars offer more non-original parts and how much savings can be achieved on them.
- The most important caveat is price. Even with strategies to locate spare parts, most items end up costing at least 50 to 60 percent more than at the start of the year. In many cases, prices jump by 100 to 150 percent, and some outlets mark up three to four times what they originally charged.
- The second factor is delivery time. Parts suppliers have shifted to alternative supply chains to avoid shortages, but it takes longer and customers should expect delays.
- The third point relates to the suspension of official channel supplies for certain brands. Not all manufacturers found ways around this, so some drivers may need to look for new sources rather than sticking with a familiar store.
In these conditions there is little room for sticking to only original parts. Replacements offer easier and cheaper options. As older maintenance issues resurface on the open market, buyers should be more deliberate when selecting a car on the used market.
For those still able to buy a new car, it is prudent to consider whether official coverage will endure through the entire warranty period. A broad range of non genuine parts can reduce ownership headaches. More money can be saved and the risk of part shortages can be minimized.
What’s scarce?
Consumables for annual MOTs such as brake pads and belts are generally available. With some effort, it is possible to cut costs on certain items by up to ten times the original price.
Yet issues begin with spark plugs and chassis components. In some cases there are few if any viable alternatives, or the options are not significantly cheaper.
The engine and transmission bulkhead used to be an expensive upgrade, and costs have risen. Bodywork pieces and especially LED headlights have become noticeably pricey. An accident can quickly inflate repair costs when LED optics are involved, though LED lighting remains popular and not always cheaper as a spare part.
Overall, there is not yet a severe shortage of spare parts and consumables, but order fulfillment times have lengthened. Parallel imports can help with quantity but may not improve quality.
How to save?
More than a dozen popular models in Russia were studied with four parts highlighted for each model:
- oil filter (changed at every service)
- brake pads (one of the most commonly replaced consumables)
- shock absorber (a less frequent but important replacement)
- headlight (expensive and prone to damage from accidents or road debris)
Prices and assortment were checked across three large online stores and one aggregator. The figures shown reflect the lowest price found and the total count of replacements across all sites reviewed. The sample focuses on Moscow.
Prices for some spare parts for popular models in Russia
|
Fashion model |
Position |
Price of the original (minimum, rub.) |
number of replacements, st. |
Price of substitutes (minimum, rub.) |
Savings |
Remark |
|
Lada Vesta |
oil filter |
375 |
46 |
194 |
– 48% |
There are plenty of replacements, as expected for a domestic car. Significant savings do not apply to shock absorbers. Original brake pads come from Renault, so the price is relatively high. |
|
Front brake pads |
1 890 |
29 |
498 |
— 74% |
||
|
farah |
14 145 |
6 |
7 270 |
– 49% |
||
|
shock absorber |
2000 |
22 |
1 865 |
– 7% |
||
|
Kia Rio |
oil filter |
337 |
88 |
192 |
– 43% |
Wide range of non genuine consumables. I was surprised by the very cheap original oil filter. If a Rio has LED headlights, there are still few good alternatives. |
|
Front brake pads |
4 300 |
64 |
946 |
– 78% |
||
|
Headlight (LED) |
42 780 |
no |
no |
|||
|
shock absorber |
9000 |
12 |
3 930 |
— 56% |
||
|
Hyundai Crete |
oil filter |
337 |
88 |
192 |
– 43% |
The situation mirrors the Kia Rio: many alternatives exist for most parts, except for headlights. The Crete example shows LED headlights remain expensive even when other parts are readily available. |
|
Front brake pads |
3 926 |
134 |
821 |
– 79% |
||
|
Headlight (Lens) |
50 370 |
a |
24 830 |
– 51% |
||
|
shock absorber |
9 790 |
ten |
1 890 |
– 81% |
||
|
VW Tiguan |
oil filter |
850 |
55 |
249 |
– 71% |
The model was surprisingly expensive for original brake pads and had limited stock for shocks, both genuine and replacements. |
|
Front brake pads |
14 150 |
80 |
1 290 |
– 91% |
||
|
Headlight (LED, adaptive) |
63 224 |
a |
52 200 |
– 17% |
||
|
shock absorber |
12 466 |
3 |
4 183 |
— 66% |
||
|
Skoda Octavia |
oil filter |
850 |
55 |
249 |
– 71% |
Many consumables share components with other group models. The latest Octavia LED headlights are strong, and basic LED options remain reliable, though not always cheaper. |
|
Front brake pads |
14 150 |
80 |
1 290 |
– 91% |
||
|
Headlight (LED, adaptive) |
127 513 |
no |
no |
|||
|
shock absorber |
16 055 |
a |
4 828 |
– 70% |
||
|
Renault Duster |
oil filter |
389 |
>100 |
175 |
– 55% |
There are so many alternatives for basic consumables that it is easy to get overwhelmed. The headlight, with halogen elements, remains extremely costly with offers starting around 42 thousand rubles. |
|
Front brake pads |
5 770 |
96 |
970 |
– 83% |
||
|
farah |
25 000 |
3 |
10,000 |
– 60% |
||
|
shock absorber |
9 323 |
7 |
3 593 |
– 61% |
||
|
Toyota Camry |
oil filter |
791 |
22 |
202 |
— 74% |
Substitutes are plentiful for basic consumables, while long life parts pose a more complex picture. The presence of a non genuine headlight that is affordable remains a relief for some owners. |
|
Front brake pads |
4 300 |
44 |
839 |
– 80% |
||
|
Headlight (LED) |
84 609 |
four |
24 000 |
– 72% |
||
|
shock absorber |
11 839 |
a |
14 109 |
19% |
||
|
Nissan Qashqai |
oil filter |
514 |
95 |
157 |
– 69% |
Replacing an expensive headlight is nearly impossible to match. A costly shock absorber still exists with limited options. Minimal prices from alternative brands remain appealing to many owners. |
|
Front brake pads |
5 300 |
72 |
735 |
– 86% |
||
|
Headlight (LED) |
80 652 |
no |
no |
|||
|
shock absorber |
18 588 |
four |
3 231 |
– 83% |
||
|
Mazda CX-5 |
oil filter |
800 |
86 |
133 |
– 83% |
LED headlights are not a reliable option for replacements. The only available non genuine option costs more than ten times the original. The same applies to non genuine shocks. |
|
Front brake pads |
8 380 |
89 |
807 |
– 90% |
||
|
Headlight (LED, adaptive) |
no in stock |
four |
18 475 |
|||
|
shock absorber |
13 711 |
a |
18 268 |
33% |
||
|
BMW 3 Series (G30) |
oil filter |
1400 |
elf |
572 |
– 59% |
A solid range of basic consumables allows for savings. The model also features laser phosphor headlights, which can cost a great deal to replace. |
|
Front brake pads |
11 600 |
16 |
1 721 |
– 85% |
||
|
Headlight (LED, base) |
151 376 |
no |
no |
|||
|
shock absorber |
25 982 |
a |
29 775 |
fifteen% |
||
|
mercedes benz E-class (W213) |
oil filter |
800 |
28 |
399 |
– fifty% |
The situation is most challenging for parts not essential to operation but priced at original levels. |
|
Front brake pads |
6 989 |
28 |
1 565 |
– 78% |
||
|
Headlight (LED) |
180 966 |
no |
no |
|||
|
shock absorber |
21 696 |
no |
no |
What must we do?
After monitoring prices, practical guidance emerges. When buying a new car, the work ahead is often less intimidating than it seems. If the vehicle’s age and mileage are reasonable, it pays to ask about the suspension bulkhead and the cost of long lasting consumables in advance.
Casco is highly recommended. Classic full contracts have become pricier lately, but insurers offer options with limits that can unlock meaningful savings.
- Consider adopting cost-saving habits for parts, balancing protection with practicality.
- News and updates can be followed through social channels and consumer groups.