Best place to buy OEM parts

[Paul70]

I’ve always gone to the dealer for service items but prices seems to have increased way above inflation, so it would be good to get feedback on where everyone buys their parts from. I thought of TPS but looking at their website, they only sell to the trade. The parts for the thermostat and water pump were over £400 and I am sure they can be sourced cheaper than that.

[willni]

Set up a TPS Trade Account, local one offered to set one up for me if I put a company name on a letter.

My local VW's offer prices in line with TPS hence I never bothered.

[clubsport]

I have purchased a few parts for my VW's over the years from TPS, I am a retail customer, never any mention of being trade only.

Funnily enough TPS appears to be owned by Volkswagen group.

[madstaff]

TPS is VAGs parts supply chain, supposedly only meant to supply to the trade.

Some TPS will deal with anyone, after all 20 quid is 20 quid, doesn't matter if its a trade or retail pocket its pulled from.

[willni]

TPS used to be owned Sytner Group, VW bought the majority of the locations from them.

[madstaff]

Really??

The first ever TPS was launched here in Derby and was never to my knowledge owned by Sytner.

[Paul70]

Thanks all

[Jace]

Outside of the dealer parts counter & TPS, i'd recommend looking on line at https://www.lllparts.co.uk/  or https://www.e-acca.com/

Both take around 10-14days from time of order, so good for none urgent parts as they are quite cheap even inc shipping .

[EB2019]

Just because I'm wary of companies online have a look at lllparts operating address at the bottom of the front page, and google street view. 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lllparts/@51.5257884,0.0539195,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x47d8a76f78a95555:0x6ef2ebacc070aa03!8m2!3d51.5257851!4d0.0564944!16s%2Fg%2F11rwwf8q6_?authuser=0&entry=ttu

The other company I couldn't find an address to view, not saying either are bad...

[rowlers]

Just because I'm wary of companies online have a look at lllparts operating address at the bottom of the front page, and google street view. 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lllparts/@51.5257884,0.0539195,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x47d8a76f78a95555:0x6ef2ebacc070aa03!8m2!3d51.5257851!4d0.0564944!16s%2Fg%2F11rwwf8q6_?authuser=0&entry=ttu

The other company I couldn't find an address to view, not saying either are bad...

I was under the impression that LLL was a European based company and are probably using the address for UK Tax/VAT purposes?

No idea really and not used them to buy, just to get part numbers!!

It also states this on website:
"This address is used only for returns and commercial invoices.
Address can not be used for collections or physical returns."