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Shop around
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Page 61
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Fitting non-OE parts will invalidate the warranty of any new vehicle. But with an older wagon you can choose where to buy components — and the savings can be dramatic.
Commercial Motor's quest to find the best deals available isn't restricted to sexy new trucks — we're just as keen to look at the more mundane goods and services that you need to operate effectively.'This week we take a snapshot view of how much can be saved by buying pattern spares for older vehicles that are out of warranty and might be maintained in-house.
For this first foray into shopping for spares we've looked at a 1999 T-reg Daf FA65CF 240 18-tonner fitted with the 6.2-litre engine and nine-speed gearbox.
For the sake of comparison our shopping list comprises the same basket of spares used in Commercial Motor's road test data: a complete clutch,set of brake linings, a set of filters, headlamp, complete driver's mirror and a set of wiper blades.
The survey started with our local Daf dealer providing the baseline, then moved on to local factors found through Yellow Pages.We also looked at whether the Internet could help to buy truck spares. In each case we started by simply asking for some parts prices, and were open about the fact that we were researching fora CM feature.
Fresh in our memory from our recent 7.5-tonne Mystery Shopper feature (CM 9 September), we started with the local dealer Channel Commercials (01634 296687).As on that occasion, when we made initial contact with the wrong branch, Channel's staff were helpful and friendly.
All the Daf dealers we contacted asked for a chassis or registration number, required to access their electronic cataloguing systems.
Despite coming up in a Google Internet search for Daf spares, official dealer Doves of Huddersfield told us they could not quote for parts -out of area" as Daf had a price-matching scheme and we should go to our local dealer.
But another dealer found on the web,Truck Services of Grimsby (01472362929) was quite the opposite.They were more than willing to help.even suggesting some other parts we might need:" If you're doing a service you will also need these."
They quickly followed up our enquiry by sending a comprehensive fax with prices. There was a note with the fax reminding us that the clutch cover/plate and the brake shoes were exchange and would carry a surcharge if not returned in reasonable condition.
A sure sign of singing from the same hymn sheet, though, was that its prices were identical to Channel Commercials'.
Turning to the independent sector, Maidstone factors EF Breen (01622 756567) was quick to return our call, finding prices quickly and efficiently, and saving nearly £430 or 33% over the basket of genuine parts. Breen's price included OE headlamp and mirror at main dealer prices. Guildford-based ARE Factors (01483 573311) is a chain of motor factors well known throughout the area south of London, and was equally efficient with a faxed quotation sent by return.
Like Breens,ARE's price for the headlamp was original equipment.
Remembering that ERF hai "all-makes" parts programme gave ERF (Medway) (now M' Truck) a try. Unfortunately, de being chased frequently it nev supplied anything more concr than several promises to fax. Another independent dealer I on the Internet, Autofast of Cl would not give any prices without chas and engine numbers.
Our final contact was with a Medwayfactor which initially seemed very intere However, it later changed its mind and ri to give any information,saying it did not to take part in our survey; nor did it want mentioned in CM. Fair enough it won't
Bottom line
Although Daf dealers will no doubt sayi you only get what you pay for,a 33% difi ence in cost between "genuine" and "pal parts can't be ignored,especially for ope working on tight margins on older vehie In many cases, the parts sold by factors cl from the same manufacturer as the OE i but without the branded packaging.
As always, the phrase"buyer beware" comes to mind, especially with safety cril items, but provided your factor is reputa preferably belonging to one of the trade ciations, and you aren't tempted by "bar from makers no one's heard of, the potei save cash by shopping around certainly