How to Buy Discount Auto Parts From The Dealer

Dealer Secrets: How I Score Discount Auto Parts from the Dealership Every Time

If you think dealerships are the worst place to buy parts because of the price, you’re not alone—but you’re also not entirely right. I’ve spent years repairing vehicles, and while I often rely on aftermarket suppliers, I’ve learned how to get discount auto parts straight from the dealer—without paying the full retail markup. In this article, I’ll show you how I do it, why it’s worth trying, and what tricks can save you serious money without compromising on quality.

Why Buy from the Dealer in the First Place?

Here’s the deal. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts are designed specifically for your vehicle and meet the automaker’s specifications. That means you’re less likely to face fitment issues or early failures that can come from lower-tier aftermarket parts. For critical systems like sensors, I always but OEM parts. I’ve found that the aftermarket parts aren’t build to the same quality standards and either don’t work right out of the box, or fail early. Sure, they come with a warranty, but who needs the hassle of replacing the same part multiple times.

Then, there are times where the part simply isn’t available in the aftermarket. I’ll cover an example in this article. Let’s use a 2014 Subaru Outback that has a faulty door latch. The part isn’t available in the aftermarket so it has to come from the dealer.

Subaru door latch

The MSRP on the door latch from the dealer is $194.92. That’s the price you’d pay if you walked up to the dealer’s parts department and bought it as a retail customer.

Luckily, I don’t need it today, so my goal is to find the exact same OEM part for less. Here’s how I do that.

Start with a Google search for Subaru Dealer parts

My goal is to find a list of Subaru dealers that sell parts online, so I can find the part number of the part. In the past you could call the dealer, ask for the price on the part, and then ask for the part number. Not anymore. Dealers are wise to that now and won’t give out the part number on the phone.

Here’s what I found when searching for this part.

This is the parts diagram I found on the Subaru site after entering the vehicle’s VIN code

The part I’m looking for is the latch which is labeled as part #10 in the diagram.

Next, I scroll down to find the part number and price in the list below the diagram.

Subaru latch part number.

We can see that the part lists for $194.82, and this Subaru dealer is willing to sell it for $133.32 plus shipping. But is that the best price? Let’s check

Step 2: Do a Google search using the part number

I’ve opened a new Google search and entered 61032AJ02A Subaru – Lock Assembly. Once the results come up, I click on the “SHOPPING” tab at the top of the search. Google then lists the results based on price. Here’s what comes up.

Google search results

You can see that I can buy the Subaru lock assembly from the dealer in the lower left hand corner for $114.35. Let’s check out who this seller is.

Here’s what it says in their About Us section:

There we go! I’ve found the latch for $114.35, almost 50% off the retail price.

Other Ways To Discount Auto Parts

If you can’t wait for the part to be shipped or don’t want to pay the shipping charges, there are ways you can buy at a discount from the local dealer. First, get the part number. Then call the dealer’s parts department. Ask if the have the part in stock. If you’re polite, confident, and let the dealer parts department know you’re doing your own repairs, and have already shopped online some parts managers will match the online price to get the sale.

Sign Up for the Dealer’s Online Parts Portal

More and more dealers are setting up online parts stores—and here’s where the magic happens. These online platforms often offer automatically discounted prices to compete with sites like RockAuto and Amazon.

For example, I’ve used Toyota, Ford, and Subaru dealership sites that sell parts at 25–35% below MSRP—just for ordering online. Some even offer free in-store pickup, so I get the convenience of same-day access without the sticker shock.

If your dealer doesn’t advertise an online store, ask if they have an e-commerce site or a preferred web-based catalog. You might be surprised at the savings just by clicking a different link.

Join an Automotive Forum or Owners Club

This is one of the lesser-known but most effective ways I’ve found to get discount auto parts. Many automotive forums and Facebook groups have long-standing relationships with dealership parts departments. These partnerships offer exclusive promo codes or member pricing.

I’ve saved hundreds this way—especially on brand-specific forums like NASIOC (for Subaru), TacomaWorld, or GM-Trucks.com. Some parts managers even monitor these forums and will ship OEM parts nationwide at prices you won’t get over the counter.

Don’t underestimate the value of community. Fellow enthusiasts and mechanics often know where to find the best deals, and they’re usually happy to share their sources.

Look for Seasonal Sales and Coupons

Dealers occasionally run sales around major holidays or model-year clearouts. I make it a habit to check local dealer websites during Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. Some of the best discount auto parts deals I’ve found happened during end-of-year inventory clearouts—especially on parts for discontinued models.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask if there are any active promotions. It’s not always advertised, but I’ve been handed a coupon on the spot just for inquiring.

Final Tip: Be Respectful, Be Strategic, and Build a Relationship

At the end of the day, dealerships are businesses, and the people working the parts counter are human beings. I’ve built relationships with a few key parts managers just by being courteous, consistent, and transparent. I let them know I’m not a shop, but I’m a serious DIYer who appreciates OEM quality and isn’t afraid to spend money—if the price is fair.

And because I’ve shown loyalty, I now get discount auto parts almost automatically. They even call me when something I might need is on clearance.

Getting discount auto parts doesn’t mean settling for off-brand or used components. With a little effort, you can get OEM quality at a price that competes with online retailers. From simply asking for the wholesale rate to joining niche forums or shopping through a dealer’s website, there are multiple ways to pay less for the best.

Don’t assume the dealership is out of reach—it might just be the best-kept secret for budget-conscious DIY mechanics like us.

©, 2025 Rick Muscoplat