Purchasing spare parts and identification numbers (Transit 2)

Contents: Purchase of spare parts ↳ Official dealers of the manufacturer ↳ Spare parts stores ↳ Other sources ↳ Vehicle identification numbers ↳

Purchase of spare parts

Replacement parts can be purchased from many places, including: the manufacturer's authorized dealer, a regular auto parts store, or a specialty repair kit store. To avoid making a mistake when purchasing spare parts, you need to know the vehicle identification number. It is also useful to keep old parts of your car for proper identification. Parts such as starters or alternators can be replaced with new ones under the exchange service scheme, provided that the parts are clean.

Official dealers of the manufacturer

This is the best way to purchase parts that are designed specifically for your vehicle and are otherwise not available at all (for example, badges, interior trim parts, some body panels, etc.). This is also the only place where you are required to purchase spare parts for a vehicle under warranty.

Spare parts stores

This is a very good place to buy materials and replacement parts needed to maintain your car (oil, air and fuel filters, caps and plugs, light bulbs, drive belts, oils and lubricants, brake pads, car paint, etc.). Components of this kind, when purchased from a reputable store, are of the same quality level as those used by the vehicle manufacturer.

In addition to components, these stores also sell tools and general supplies, offer convenient hours, often have lower prices than the dealer, and are usually located close to home. Some parts stores have departments where you can buy or order components needed for any job.

Other sources

Beware of parts or materials purchased from markets, commercial stalls or other similar places. Such products may not necessarily be suitable for you, but there is a small chance that the purchased parts may be defective or slightly inconsistent. In the case of safety-critical components, such as brake pads, there is a risk not only of losing your money, but also of getting into an accident.

Used components or refurbished units can be a good buy in some cases, but this type of purchase is only good when done by an experienced mechanic.

Vehicle identification numbers

Modification is an ongoing and unpublicized process in the automotive industry, with only the major differences between models being publicly known. All other information is encoded in numbers that make up the vehicle's individual identification numbers.

Whenever you order spare parts, please try to provide as much information about your vehicle as possible. Please provide vehicle model, year of manufacture, vehicle identification numbers, body and/or engine numbers if the relevant component is subject to repair.

Along with many other details, this plate contains the vehicle identification number (VIN), information about the maximum weight of the vehicle, and color codes for the interior trim and paint

The vehicle identification plate is installed in the footwell (on the passenger side) next to the door.

The vehicle identification number, which is found on the vehicle identification plate, is also found on the passenger side of the dashboard on later vehicles and can be seen through the windshield (see illustration).

The paint code and chassis number are also indicated on the vehicle identification plate

On later models, the vehicle identification number is located on the passenger side of the dashboard and can be seen through the glass.

The engine number is located on the front left side of the cylinder block above the edge of the oil pan (on engines with natural air intake) or on the right rear side of the cylinder block above the edge of the oil pan and on the front edge of the cylinder head (on turbocharged models) (see illustration).