Tuesday, January 21st
2025 Auto Parts Store Reviews
NAPA
- Prices for key items from $5.99 to $13,280
- Prices for average car from $7.49 to $274.99
- OEM parts offered
- Shop in person or online
- Search tailored to your car
- Marine vehicles, RVs, and other non-car items
- Free 1-day shipping
- 30-day return window with free shipping
Back in 1925, a bunch of independent auto parts sellers gathered in Detroit to create the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA). Their goal was straightforward: make it easier for folks and businesses relying on cars and trucks to get the parts they needed.
Half a million parts across thousands of stores
Today, the NAPA Network offers over 500,000 different parts, available through 57 distribution centers, 6,000+ NAPA Auto Parts stores, and 16,000+ NAPA Auto Care centers all across the United States. NAPA Auto Parts stores and Auto Care centers continue to connect skilled auto techs, DIY mechanics, and regular drivers with quality parts, aftermarket add-ons, and car care products to keep their vehicles and garage gear running safely and smoothly.
Services for every vehicle type
Browsing at NAPA's website is a breeze. You can start by looking through the "all products” tab, which is broken down into subcategories with tons of car parts to browse through. You can find a selection of replacement parts, OEM items, tools and equipment, paint and bodywork items, farm and fleet items, and even RV, marine engines, or sport items. The inclusion of RV and marine items is unique, helping NAPA stand out from its competitors. In addition, you can also browse through the "accessories” tab which includes a wide variety of shopping categories:
- Popular items
- Exterior
- Interior
- Performance
- Specialty
Then each of these items is broken down into further groups to help you find exactly what you need. Now, if you prefer to shop more directly, you can use the search bar and the search-by-vehicle feature to narrow down only items that will fit your vehicle. This works no matter whether you're looking to find parts for a car, boat, RV, or anything in between.
Wide range of prices with bulk purchase options
To get an accurate price comparison from NAPA against other companies in our review, we checked out three items at every retailer. First, we looked at a repair item: new brake pads. Second, we checked out a performance item: new shocks. Finally, we checked out a general item for vehicle maintenance: motor oil. At NAPA the prices for brake pads range from $7.49 to $1,900 with all the items currently in stock. For shocks, you can find prices from $22.99 to $1,060. Finally, for motor oil, you can find options from $5.99 to $13,280. It's worth noting that the highest price is for 380 gallons, so it's more appropriate for a large mechanic shop. But, if you need that much oil, you can find it here.
Pricing for an average car
If you're wondering how the inventory and pricing change if you put in an "average car” popular on the road currently, so are we. We selected a 2019 Toyota Camry as our test car to give you a more specific price range:
- The prices for brake pads range from $33.99 to $91.99
- The prices for shocks range from $58.99 to $94.99
- The prices for oil f ranges from $7.49 to $274.99
In general, prices for many items are a bit higher than other retailers, but for just Toyota items, the prices are right on par with the industry.
Local and online services
Like a few of the other retailers in this review, you can enjoy the services of NAPA from the comfort of your home or by going into one of their brick-and-mortar locations. You can have your order ready in as little as 30 minutes if you choose to grab it locally, which can be a bonus for those who need parts in a pinch. Or if you feel like you want some expert advice, you can check in with one of their workers to get your DIY mechanic questions handled.
Free 1-day shipping on most inventory
In terms of discounts, you can score free 1-day shipping on over 160,000 different products. You don't need to do anything special to score the free shipping, just add your item to the cart and if it qualifies (as over 98% of their inventory does), you'll be able to get completely free shipping on every order. On top of that, there are a host of deals available on the front page of the NAPA website. At the time of this review, NAPA was running a special on "performer brakes” and 52% off windshield wash. These deals change from time to time, so it's worth checking back with NAPA if you're looking for low prices.
Customer-focused return policy in 30 days
If you buy items from NAPA and have them delivered to your doorstep, you can return them without any extra cost using UPS. You get a prepaid label from NAPA anytime you want to make a return, which is an insanely good policy compared to auto parts stores. Within 30 days of receiving items purchased from NAPA, customers can return any of the following items with no hassle:
- New items in the original packaging
- Damaged or defective items
- Anything shipped to you in error
While the return window isn't as long as some others in our evaluation, it's designed to make sure the return process is as easy as possible, which is outstanding.
Reviews don't match their promises
NAPA sounds too good to be true on paper, and maybe it is. According to the Better Business Bureau, NAPA only has a "D-” rating. Further, the company doesn't do so hot with third-party reviews. For example, the average rating across multiple third-party review sites is just 1.5 stars out of 5. Customers complain that the shipping wasn't actually free on the items they ordered, that the website isn't as easy to use as it should be, and that many items were often out of stock. There were also complaints about rude customer service and difficulty processing the free returns. While there are some good reviews saying that the services at NAPA were high-quality and the parts were perfect matches, it's worth keeping in mind some of the concerns, especially if free shipping and returns are two of the perks that get you to buy or change your mind.
Solid choice, but room for improvement
While this site is a standout for its wide inventory that includes both marine and RV vehicles, the concerns about the ratings and reviews pull NAPA back from what would have been the top spot in this review. Because of how low the reviews are and the "D-” rating from the BBB, NAPA falls to a 4-star service instead of the 5 stars it might have deserved. Considering the high points of this service we hope they put some work into improving the site experience overall. They've got room to improve, and if they do, they could be one of the best sites in the industry for buying auto parts.
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If you own a car, you know at some point it needs maintenance and repairs. Many vehicle owners opt for the path of do-it-yourself repairs, drawn by the potential to save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, over the course of their car's lifetime. And like a local mechanic, you, too, will require the appropriate parts and tools to make your favorite machine tick (or maybe to stop that irritating ticking noise!).
It used to be that you'd have to drive to the local auto parts store in the hope of finding the right parts for your job. If you're not an expert, auto stores can feel a bit overwhelming (and judgy, if you're a female car owner). But today, online auto parts stores have redefined the landscape.
Auto Parts Store FAQ
Continued from above...
Visiting an auto parts store online lets you find and check that you're getting the right parts for the right car. Using features like VIN number searches and helpful online search tools, you can take the frustration out of auto parts shopping and enjoy it from the comfort of your own home. Whether you're just looking for a new set of tires, a turbo kit for your already over-taxed hatchback, or the perfect wrench in metric sizes for those Euro cars, you can find it now at the click of a button.
You might be surprised to know that the auto parts you find online are often less expensive than the ones you find in a store - even if the website and store are the same company. That's because there's more competition online, and less overhead attached to the individual car part. And not only are the prices cheaper, you can have them delivered straight to your door.
Armed with your car parts, and your favorite car repair YouTuber, you can be on your way to DIY car repair in no time. However, it's important to recognize that not all auto parts stores are the same.
You want to make sure that you can find the best auto parts, whether you're looking at new "from the factory” or certified pre-owned items. You can find tons of deals online too, but making sure you can trust an auto parts store is important - both for your wallet and your safety.
Not sure where to start your online search for auto parts? Don't worry - we've completed a full review and ranking of all the best auto parts stores out there today. Here are some basic criteria that might help you narrow the field:
- Price. The first way to narrow your decision is pretty obvious: price. Different auto parts stores offer different kinds of deals or price match guarantees, so making sure that the store you choose fits your budget is important to get the parts you need.
- Return policy. What is the return policy like? Does the retailer you're looking at offer a warranty for their parts? Finding a company that stands by the auto parts they sell is as important as finding the parts themselves. You don't want to be paying even more for maintenance (or returns) in the future, so keep an eye on the return policies.
- Selection. Do you only want to buy OEM parts? Are you looking for something specifically for a European car? Making sure that the retailer has all the parts you need in stock, or has a decent selection of part types, can help you make sure you're getting the best deal. Plus, if you're looking to upgrade, you might need a wider range of parts and tools than the average driver, so selection is a huge deal.
- Customer satisfaction. The final piece of the puzzle relates to the experience of past customers. Checking into reviews and feedback can help you get a clear picture of a company's track record. Are they improving or getting worse over time? Do customers feel like they had good service from a particular company? The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can also serve as a valuable resource for gauging a company's reputation.
To make sure your car stays running smoothly, Top Consumer Reviews is here to give you all the insights on the best auto parts stores on the market. We hope this helps you get started with your DIY mechanic shop right in the safety of your own garage. Soon, your friends will be coming to you for the quick fixes, since you'll be an auto parts expert. Happy driving!
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