Old parts available.... or not?

[Fastpedaller]

I run two kit cars, both Ford-based using Escort or Fiesta parts and some parts are becoming more difficult to find (either new or used). Something strikes me as very strange, and it happened to another car club member, although his story doesn't seem to be isolated. He couldn't get either a brake master cylinder or internal parts to fix his car, but when he enquired about getting it fixed at the Ford main dealer they said they could do it! Are there 'stashes' of old spares held at warehouses, and available only to the trade and not for retail sale?

 

[biggs682]

I would have thought the vast majority of garages would have access to either genuine or non genuine parts for an Escort or Fiesta based vehicle .
Being in the automotive / marine parts business myself it's more a matter of knowing the right contacts at the right places for the parts required .
There is a shortage of modern sub electrical components but they are obtainable if you are prepared to wait ie ordered a couple of electrical screen unit's this afternoon that the American maker open;y admit to there being raw component issues so expect an 8 - 16 week lead time so we will see how long they actually take to arrive

 

[Drago]

If the Ford dealer could fix it then surely they could also supply the necessary part?

The Competition Act 1998 (Motor Vehicle Agreements Block Exemption) Order 2023 ('MVBEO') came into force on 1 June 2023 and replaced the older block exemption regs. Pertinent to us, this compels manufacturers to sell the parts where available and not force the customer to have them fitted at a dealer.

 

[BoldonLad]

I would not have thought the brake master cylinder would actually be a "Ford part", and, the same part is probably used on several other cars/vans, so, doubtful that Ford are "stashing" them. The other parts may be Ford specific, in which case, who knows?

 

[Fastpedaller]

To be clear, the youngest of my cars is 1987 based. My pal couldn't buy the parts for his master cylinder from the main dealer - although they said they could fix the car. Law or not, maybe various shenanigans are happening ('twas always thus)

 

[Fastpedaller]

I would not have thought the brake master cylinder would actually be a "Ford part", and, the same part is probably used on several other cars/vans, so, doubtful that Ford are "stashing" them. The other parts may be Ford specific, in which case, who knows?

It's tracking down what will fit though - different part numbers for 'same' part can happen with the same manufacturer when applied to different models. I couldn't get a mk2 Escort brake servo for my older kit car - no parts although a specialist offerred to 'have a go at repairing it for £300, with no guarantee of success. With minor mods to the pedal push-rod I was able to fit a Land Rover Defender in a couple of hours at a cost of £60 brand new - again, I had to do a lot of research to find dimensions to get a suitable item. Even with the help of the 'net, getting dimensions isn't easy, all selection is by number plate/chassis number, dimensions quoted are sometimes the packaging box, not the mounting holes!

 

[avsd]

@Fastpedaller Have you looked here Autodoc - Parts for Fiesta ?

No idea of quality and I guessed your vehicle age and engine size.

 

[Fastpedaller]

@Fastpedaller Have you looked here Autodoc - Parts for Fiesta ?

No idea of quality and I guessed your vehicle age and engine size.

Autodoc are pretty good. My master cylinder is the small type fitted to mk2 fiesta, and I was fortunate enough to get a spare a few years back from Autodoc for c£70 - the last time I looked it was over £300, and isn't now listed....... If only I'd bought a few more.
I was relieved to get the one as it happens because they refunded my payment stating the part was out of stock (although in stock on their Ebay listing at the time). I 'phoned Autodoc in Uk, who said the (IIRC) Belgium warehouse might have them, but they couldn't check and would order it and refund if O.O.S. I was frustrated and went ahead anyway, and it turned up a week later. All very strange.

Looks very similar to one on a Land Rover (visually), but at least I got it and didn't have to research more, and more!

 

[Jameshow]

I would think ford might have a stash of old ford parts in a stores somewhere probably run by a dull cyclechat member!🤣 Whereas generic parts manufacturers/ distributors are only going to hold parts which are relatively frequently purchased. Which an old ford part isn't likely to be?🤔

 

[Gillstay]

Our local parts shop seems to be able to get bits quite happily for common cars that new. Even has some 1970's parts.

 

[tyred]

I ran a MKI Golf and a Peugeot 205 way past their expected life expectancy and never had a problem buying mechanical parts or service items.

Some motor factors may look down their nose at you and say they don't stock parts for anything old. Just go somewhere else where they are willing to look in their parts catalogue, they will probably be able to order parts for anything that was reasonably common in recent years.

Occasionally you may even pick up a few bargains as places clear out stuff they struggle to sell. I bought two new, genuine OEM driveshafts from the local Peugeot main dealer for a fraction of what they should have cost.

It's the body and trim parts that gets usually difficult or impossible to source as once a car is out of production for a few years.

 

[Pale Rider]

To be clear, the youngest of my cars is 1987 based. My pal couldn't buy the parts for his master cylinder from the main dealer - although they said they could fix the car. Law or not, maybe various shenanigans are happening ('twas always thus)

A conspiracy theory is attractive to some, but it may be the guy at the Ford dealer assumed he could do a relatively simple job.

But had your mate booked the car in, he would have got a phone call a couple of days later to say they were having trouble obtaining the parts.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Our local parts shop seems to be able to get bits quite happily for common cars that new. Even has some 1970's parts.

Can I ask where they are, and do they sell mail order?

 

[Gillstay]

Ludlow, but I am sure there must be someone near you who is willing to put in a bit of effort and find you parts. Not sure if they would send stuff out. Midway motor parts. Good luck.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Thanks for the info. We are out in the sticks in rural Norfolk. The 'old school' places seem to have shut - with the exception of Goldendays, who are very helpful but cater for (even) older Fords. They really are helpful, and if they hadn't given me details of a local who had a diff a few years ago, I'd have not kept one car on the road!. Anyway, back to the suppliers - they try, but of course can't get what's not made anymore. The local breaker seems to crush anything over 5 years old, and even for my Wife's cars of the last 13 years (each under 7 years old) they've never been able to supply anything we needed eg A Fiat Grande Punto headlight, broken plastic cover...... New Valeo one was c£300, an Ebay new one which I was prepared to 'chance' was £67, and turned out to be just as good as the Valeo (In fact the beam adjustment didn't require a 3-armed contortionist like the Valeo item!)