Halfords vs Local Motor Factors

[petrolhead]

I've got to say that I have two big halfords in my area (New Malden & Epsom branches). Whenever I go to get anything for my Mk2 Escort, even simple things, I often walk away empty handed.

 

But there is light, So I thought I would share this:

 

I've discovered a little motor factors in West Ewell called XLT Car Spares (tel 020 8393 3736) run by a very knowledgeable old lady called Pauline.

 

High output alternator? £35 inc VAT, 12month warranty

Obsolete starter motor for Mk2 auto? £59 inc VAT, in next day

obsolete dashboard bulbs & fuses? in stock

 

There's also a place in teddington, Stanley Road called THI they are much the same AND finally, there is a place called Mecury Motors in Teddington/St Magarets that stock new parts for Old Fords. If your stuck for a difficult to get hold of bit give them a call, the two blokes there have encyclepidic knowledge of Ford parts. That is genuinely scarey.

 

Knowledge is Power and all that......

[james p]

the motor factors round ere are the same 1 of them is run/owener by a bloke whos got a sweet rs2000 he loves any thing old skool

 

we also have a MOT station ran by a man who restores cortinas

[antz]

my motor factors aint bad.

[MK2Ed]

Nice one I always have a school of thought in that you should support the small (local) business if possible rather than the multiples...

 

Doesn't always work out re cost etc but seems to have worked here

[Twinkle]

always use my local factors, if they dont have it in stock they always manage to get it overnight. use main dealers quite a bit too as nursey works for them and also one of the local main dealers has a nice old boy who knows all the old part numbers off the top of his head so you dont get any of the "sorry must be obsolete cos it aint on the computer no more"

[bortaf]

Never use halfrauds, as far as my local factorsis concerned there'e no such such thing as obsolete

There's allways something on the shelf somewhere, it's all down to wether the factor can be botherd to look for it for you

[Mr.Sumo]

the motor factors round ere are the same 1 of them is run/owener by a bloke whos got a sweet rs2000 he loves any thing old skool

 

we also have a MOT station ran by a man who restores cortinas

 

would that be Ram then James

 

Mercury motors are the b*ll*x for Old Skool parts...its an alladins cave in that shop . Brand new , boxed Auto flywheel for a mk2 Granada ....yours for £75 ...i"ve got bits for my mk1 Escort from them as welland all my service bits come from THI , can"t fault them

[Guest cortinamad-gonetoo]

ive got yukspeed and yorkshire rally spares just down the road from me (well about 20 miles)

 

anything they dont have they can usually get or point me in the right direction

 

i use motor factors too they seem to get a few bits in i need

[Copey]

the motor factor i use has a connection with ford, so if they dont have it when i go they can get it by the afternoon, which is handy

[petrolhead]

Glad to hear you all have similar experiences. Mercury Motors never cease to amaze me with the stuff they have. It's not particularly cheap but with a relatively slow turnover of parts you wouldn't expect it to be.

 

There is something to be said for supporting your local shop as someone mentioned. The sad thing is, speaking to THI, that motor factors will inevitibly dwindle and slowly die out

[ZetecVan 2.0]

Local motor factors every time. I took my dynamo from my old anglia down after it failed (in 1992!) and they reconditioned and painted it, gave me it back two days later and it cost £10!

[H.P.E harry]

I've got to say that I have two big halfords in my area (New Malden & Epsom branches). Whenever I go to get anything for my Mk2 Escort, even simple things, I often walk away empty handed.

 

But there is light, So I thought I would share this:

 

I've discovered a little motor factors in West Ewell called XLT Car Spares (tel 020 8393 3736) run by a very knowledgeable old lady called Pauline.

 

High output alternator? £35 inc VAT, 12month warranty

Obsolete starter motor for Mk2 auto? £59 inc VAT, in next day

obsolete dashboard bulbs & fuses? in stock

 

There's also a place in teddington, Stanley Road called THI they are much the same AND finally, there is a place called Mecury Motors in Teddington/St Magarets that stock new parts for Old Fords. If your stuck for a difficult to get hold of bit give them a call, the two blokes there have encyclepidic knowledge of Ford parts. That is genuinely scarey.

 

Knowledge is Power and all that......

 

I never go to halfords, if i do it would be to get things like cable ties or oil, think its got too much of a 'fast and furious' factor about it now.

[lee_capri]

halfords are to daer on nearly every-thing i have found includeing spaypaint

[Pipster007]

AND finally, there is a place called Mecury Motors in Teddington/St Magarets

 

Thats the 1st place I always go to. Robin is the bo**ox if you ever need to know anything

[DEP]

Motor factors every time, theres a good one near us, , Only go to Halfords for car cleaning stuff

[capri_steve_2.8]

Halfords are a rip off was quoted 85 quid for a 12v bat for the 2.8

[Tom]

Mate i've been using Robin at Mercury's for nearly 10 years, ask to have a look at some of the motors he's got in the shop mate you'll be amazed!!

 

I don't mind getting parts from Halfords now i've got a trade card, you get shit loads off and a price guarantee. e.g a 6 quid oil filter for £1.50

[Tuffty]

Motorfactors every time

 

although i'm a little biased from working at one lol

[LEONMEX]

Motorfactors every time

 

although i'm a little biased from working at one lol

 

Gota be a Jayar or Ajay everytime for me

[beedz]

halfords by me is crap & overpriced (apart from the pro tool set which has lasted me over a decade )

 

having said that the local factors isn't much better - overpriced, but able to source more items

 

i've mostly acquired stuff from fleebay & other websites sadly.

[Jeff HPE Motorsport]

Mate i've been using Robin at Mercury's for nearly 10 years, ask to have a look at some of the motors he's got in the shop mate you'll be amazed!!

 

I don't mind getting parts from Halfords now i've got a trade card, you get shit loads off and a price guarantee. e.g a 6 quid oil filter for £1.50

 

Same for me, I went to Halfords tonight & bought 2x stop & tail bulbs, normal price £ 2.49, trade price, which is what I paid 46p, although the discount differs depending on what you get.!

 

As well there is a motor factors on the Brighton road South Croydon, called ?????????? the guy in there knows anything you ask him about OSF, & if he hasn`t got it he normaly can get it next day.

 

 

Jeff Harris...

[stu]

I've discovered a little motor factors in West Ewell called XLT Car Spares (tel 020 8393 3736) run by a very knowledgeable old lady called Pauline.

............... i b fu*ked i f i ant digging the parth up round the corner at the mo at work

[Muttley MK2]

I use Langleys in sutton for all my trade parts and I have got shox, pads discs, shoes, cyls and service parts for my mk2 capper all cheap too!!!

[Messenjah]

i use partco because my m8s dad runs the garage next door to the partco in stevenage so pops over and gets bits for me at trade !!

[duttnut]

Worsbrough Motor Spares in Barnsley are fantasic,

every time I want old skool part I go there, although thay always say

"your lucky, that's the last one we've got", always seem to re-stock with the old stuff though.