If you have a car that isn't one of the most run-of-the-mill varieties, you may have found that it's hard to get parts for it. In some cases, those parts simply aren't available, while in others, they are amazingly expensive. What causes these problems, and what can you do about it?

●      The Car is No Longer in Production

This is one of the biggest reasons for parts shortages. Automakers continue to produce parts for a car for maybe eight to 10 years after they stop making a vehicle, but unless they're huge demand for parts after that, they then move onto making something else. Worse, aftermarket parts manufacturers may not pick up the slack, especially if only a few of that model are still on the road. This leaves people who still own these cars with no source of new parts.

●      The Car is a Luxury or Sports Model

In this case, parts are usually available, but they cost far more than they would if they were for common automobiles. Automakers seem to believe that if you can afford a BMW, Mercedes, Lamborghini, or some similar car, then you surely can pay $1,000 for a $10 part. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Many upscale cars are purchased used for a fraction of their new price, and those who buy them this way aren't rolling in nearly as much money.

●      The Car is Rare

Even if a car isn't a luxury model or if it’s out of production, rarity often gives the dealership a monopoly on new parts sales. This situation increases prices and also makes it a hassle to get the parts. If you aren't able to drive to the dealer, you're often plumb out of luck. At best, you have to arrange for a ride, which can be expensive.

The Solution to Parts Problems

The best solution to all of these problems is to get used auto parts from a reputable salvage yard. A good yard won't just tell you to pick a part and take a guess on whether it works. Instead, it will sell parts with a warranty so you don't have to worry.

Here at Ace Auto Parts, we cover our used auto parts with warranties of at least 90 days. We also pick them ourselves, so you don't have to bring someone who knows about disassembling automobiles, risk injury, or have to try to guess which parts are good just by looking at the cars. If you're in the St. Paul, MN area, be sure to stop by our shop. You can get the parts you need after all!