Motorists could waste up to £3,000 by buying car parts on Facebook Marketplace, according to experts who warn that failed repairs and counterfeit parts are on the rise.
Scrap Car Comparison said it has seen a sharp rise in customers whose repairs have failed after sourcing replacement parts themselves. Many drivers are choosing to repair vehicles without experienced mechanics, and some are buying parts on social media apps such as Facebook Marketplace to cut costs.
Failed repairs and extra bills
Matt Clamp, car scrappage expert at Scrap Car Comparison, told the Express: “We see customers who have sourced their own parts, paid to have the work done and then had the same problem shortly afterwards.”
He added: “It's frustrating because they've already spent money trying to fix the car, and they're now facing another bill. If you're buying through Facebook Marketplace, check who you're dealing with before paying. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Scrap Car Comparison added that many cars with replacement turbos have failed, with parts sometimes listed by dodgy sellers online. This can leave owners facing another repair bill to fix the damage.
Costs and warranties
In some cases, road users may spend as much as £3,000 on repairs, including buying a replacement part and labour on top of everything spent on the first repair. Customer-supplied counterfeit parts are unlikely to be covered by a garage's warranty, including the replacement part and fitting costs.
If a part fails, motorists should not assume the garage will do the work again for free. The specialists urged road users to always try to buy from a reputable supplier and to check the warranty before ordering anything.
Advice from Meta
Matt told the Express: “You might think you're saving money on the part, but if it fails you've got to pay to put it right. That can mean another part, another fitting bill and potentially more repairs if it's damaged something else.
“If the damage is bad enough, you could end up with a car that costs more to repair than it’s worth. You’ve already paid for the first repair, and now you’re facing an engine bill you simply can’t justify.
“That’s when we see owners deciding to scrap the car. It might still be possible to fix it, but financially it just doesn’t make sense anymore. What started as an attempt to save money on a part can end up costing you the car.”
Meta told the Express that they encourage owners to check reviews of online sellers before agreeing to a deal. They said road users should not hand over money until they see the item for sale and use payment options that include strong protections, like PayPal. Buyers should check if the Facebook profile appears new or incomplete, as this could be a sign that the account has been set up for scamming.
