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Solutionsspare partslead time2026-11-05

How long do spare parts take? Common and slow-moving items

2026-11-05
How long do spare parts take? Common and slow-moving items

The worst sentence in a parts quote is "about two weeks". The customer remembers two weeks, the parts arrive in three and a half, and every conversation afterwards needs an explanation. Confirm by part number first, then commit to a lead time.

Common parts (filters, brake pads, belts, bulbs) take 15–25 days; body panels and slow-moving items depend on production, 30–60 days; for discontinued models only salvage or alternative parts exist, with no fixed lead time.
15–25 days
Common parts
30–60 days
Body panels / slow movers
By part number
First step

Real lead times by category

CategoryTypical partsLead timeShipping
Wear itemsFilters, brake pads, wipers, bulbs15–25 daysAvailable in China, air or consolidated
FunctionalWater pumps, alternators, shocks, clutches20–35 daysSome ordered from the maker
Body panelsBumpers, fenders, doors30–60 daysBulky, mostly sea freight
DiscontinuedModel-specific old partsUncertainSalvage or alternative, photo confirmation
"Confirm by part number" is not a formality: the same model in different years can use different part numbers, so quoting from the model alone is always wrong. Asking the customer for the VIN plate and a photo of the old part saves the most time.

Order flow

1
Customer sends VIN or plate photo
Year, engine and trim determine the part number
2
Quote by part number and check availability
Available / need sourcing / discontinued — three answers, three quotes
3
Confirm volume and shipping method
Small parts by air, bulky by sea consolidation; freight differs 3–5×
4
Ship and provide tracking
Common parts arrive in 15–25 days

Three things to state in the quote

  • ✓Whether the lead time runs from dispatch or from order — a week of difference
  • ✓Whether destination duties and clearance are included — parts are cleared too
  • ✓For discontinued parts, whether it is an alternative or a salvage part — acceptance standards differ
Parts are sourced against orders and quoted after part-number confirmation; actual lead time depends on availability and sailing schedules. Ranges verified November 2026. Last verified: 5 November 2026.

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