5 Tips to Select the Auto Parts App Best for You

Get coupons to save money on parts

We all know owning a car can get extremely expensive. Between the auto loan payments, the repairs, the car insurance, the cleaning, and the fuel, the costs can really add up. If saving money and staying within your budget is your goal, you may want to consider downloading some apps that will help you find all the deals and savings when it comes to those automobile parts.

For example, many of the major auto parts chains, such as Advance Auto Parts or Carquest, usually have promo codes available for their online shops, and certain apps can streamline the process of finding those codes for coupons or finding discounts or wholesale price reductions on particular parts, so you won’t have to spend too much time searching for the best deal.

If you’re planning on getting many different parts at once, it’s smart to consider apps that will make you aware of special retailer deals. For example, plenty of retailers for auto parts tend to have good bundle prices when it comes to expensive parts that are usually bought in multiples, such as tires. For instance, getting four new tires at once will typically save you money on the individual price for each tire or retailers will offer a buy three and get one free deal.

View a catalog list to see all of your parts at once

Of course, when it comes to doing your own research on what brand you want to choose for car parts and their prices, it’s extremely helpful to get a side by side comparison and list of those details. If you want all the information on products broken down for you and easily accessible, you’ll need a good app for auto part catalogs.

Most retailers like Carquest, RockAuto and Parts Geek offer catalogs or lists of their warehouse inventory, so you will want to choose an app that helps you find a catalog to locate the parts you need.

These online catalogs are another great way to get all the specifications you need for each part and to see what other buyers have said about the items, so you can be better informed when making your purchases and be sure you’re choosing the perfect auto parts to keep your car running smoothly.

Shop parts with name brands you know you can trust

No one wants to go to all the trouble replacing a belt in their car just to have it stop working properly in a few months or to get a brand new fender just to have it easily dented in a matter of days. That’s why, just like when shopping for clothes or furniture or even groceries, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the top brands and retailers that will give you great quality and a good value for your money.

If you want to find parts you can depend on, apps for national chain stores such as O’Reillys, Autozone, Napa Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts, Auto Value are very good bets since they are well established across the country. Or if you need to get a special part shipped to you or just don’t feel like taking a trip to an auto parts store, there are some popular and trusted online retail apps for auto parts as well like US Auto Parts, RockAuto, and even Amazon.

These stores all tend to feature trustworthy brands that will work well like Michelin or Goodyear for tires or Keystone Automotive Manufacturer for specialty parts. Apps for online stores usually also have ratings and reviews available from other customers that will give you a good idea of what brands people tend to like more.

Find auto parts close to where you live

Whether you’re just tinkering around on a project car or your vehicle is on the fritz and needs a quick fix, you’ll need an app that can help find the auto shop location closest to you. The closer, the better when it comes to important parts for your car. Plus if your car is really on its last leg and in need of a vital mechanical part, you may even want to walk to the nearest auto store, just to be safe.

If you need a specific part and want to get it as soon as possible, it’s best to find an auto parts app that can not only guide you to the right parts but can also point you in the right direction to an auto parts store near you, like Advance Auto Parts, Auto Value or Napa Auto Parts, that carries the part you’re looking for.

If you need more specific map guidance, it’s also good to get an app with a GPS-enabled locator feature that can map you directly to an auto store in any city across the country from Woodburn, Oregon to Carson, across Dallas and all the way to Detroit, Michigan to get your car up and running in no time.

Search salvage & junkyards for the perfect part

One person’s trash can be another person’s treasure, and this is especially true when it comes to automobiles. If you’re on a budget and looking for an affordable alternative to buying auto parts new from a store, junk yards or salvage yard can be a great option to try.

Plus, if you want to save time on sifting through the junk yourself, there are plenty of apps available to search through used car parts from salvage yards or other used part inventories. Some people also sell or give away their old, unused parts from their own personal storage at low prices, so those can be great finds as well, with the added bonus that the owners of the parts probably have a better idea of their exact working condition.