If you are looking to buy parts for your Audi, there are some things you need to look for to ensue you are getting a good part that isn't going to fail as soon as you put it on.

As with all second hand parts, you can never be exactly sure of it's condition, so you want to be extra careful so that you buy a part that is more likely to be good.

Look For Genuine Audi Parts

One trick you can use when buying second hand Audi parts is to look for genuine parts. The reason why you want to do this is because genuine parts tend to be better quality and last longer, which means that they are more likely to be in good condition than inferior aftermarket parts.

One thing to note here though is that if the parts are genuine, it likely means that its the original parts, and if the car is older that can mean that the part may have quite a few years under its belt. So make sure to double check the condition and see if you can find any information on whether it was changed or not.

Audi Engine Part Checks

When buying Audi engine parts, always try to get a service history on the engine, especially if buying a complete engine or any internal parts. The last thing you want is to do all the work of installing the part or the motor and find out it has some fatal fault.

Getting a service history will at least give you some idea about what the car's life was like and if it was looked after.

Another thing you want to check is why the car is being wrecked. If it was a frontal accident, there is a decent chance that something on the engine is damaged, so you need to be careful. Another common reasons that cars get wrecked is because of head gasket failure - and you probably don't want to buy that engine.

Audi Transmission Checks

Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do to check a transmission once it's out of the car, particularly an automatic.

So trust in the seller becomes very important when buying a transmission, because you have to take their word for it on what the condition is.

One thing you can do if the seller will let you is take out the drain plug. Most transmission have magnetic drain plugs to catch shavings, and if there are a lot of shavings on the plug, that's a sign of a transmission that had a hard life and is probably best to avoid.

What to Check on Audi Body Panels

Buying second hand body panels is very common and a good idea most of the time. However, even panels can be faulty, so you want to make sure you properly check them out.

One of the biggest problems with panels is body filler, otherwise known as bog. Badly repaired body panels that have lots of bog are a high chance of problems down the line, so you want to avoid.

Also check for rust and any other damage repairs you can see, you will best see this from the back side of the panel.

Also note that if you are trying to find panels in the same colour as your car, paint rarely matches 100% even if it's the exact same colour code. So don't be disappointed when you bolt in on and you can see the difference - that's normal. Because of this, it's always a good idea to get the panel painted and blended into the surrounding panels.

Other Second Hand Auto Parts

Most other parts will be pretty self-explanatory, they are either in good condition or they are not, and you'll be able to see it or test it if it works.

Parts like electronics should always be tested when possible to make sure they work, and if they do, you should be good to go. Always be wary of sellers who won't let you test parts, often its a sign there is something wrong with them.

Need Second Hand Parts For Your Audi?

If you need parts for your Audi, we at AA Wreckers have tons of Audis in our yard at all times and are bound to have the part you are looking for. So be sure to give us a call on 09 829 2618.