Where is the best place to buy auto parts? If you're a motorhead like we are, you know the struggle that comes with working on cars. Whether you're a professional mechanic hunting for a new supplier or a weekend enthusiast who prefers turning your own wrenches, buying auto parts isn't cheap. Picking up the parts yourself can definitely help you avoid those painful mechanic markups (we're looking at you, dealership service departments), but tracking down quality components at a fair price is where things get tricky.
Very Good
Pep Boys is a slightly more limited auto parts store when compared to other sites in our review: it focuses more on tires than on general auto parts. You can order tires online or schedule a service with your local Pep Boys location. You can shop by putting your vehicle, searching for a specific brand of tire, or looking for a specific size. Beyond that, there's not much else to look through on Pep Boys.
Only tires in stock
The inventory is limited almost entirely to tires. So, if you're looking for a new set or have a flat you need repaired, Pep Boys is a great choice. You can also browse the services offered by this auto parts store. You'll find things like brakes, tires, heating and cooling, AC, steering, suspension, oil changes, headlights, battery replacement, filters, windshield wipers, and more. Unlike other auto parts stores in our review, rather than offering individual parts for sale (other than tires themselves), you're paying for the full service to replace the item and get the parts at the same time.
Pricing from $91.80 to $174.99 per tire
Unlike other auto parts stores in our review that offered a full inventory of items, the only thing that we can price out at Pep Boys is the tires. There are no other items for sale directly other than tires. For our test car (the Toyota Camry SE from 2025), Pep Boys offers tires from $91.80 to $174.99 each.
Ship directly to your local branch
Pep Boys' shipping costs are nonexistent because the only way to purchase tires through Pep Boys is to have the tires delivered to the store directly. You'll have to pick them up yourself. For an additional fee of $120, you can have your tires installed. While there aren't shipping costs involved, you will need to pay fees and taxes. (Our local state tax costs $42.24 for a full set of tires.) If you don't like your tires or the new parts that Pep Boys installed during a service, you have 30 days, and you can return them to get a refund or replacement. Automotive service and installed parts are warrantied for 90 days or 3,000 miles, so your warranty may apply even if you're past the 30-day mark.
Poor customer service and confused technicians.
Pep Boys, as a business, currently holds an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. On Trustpilot, Pep Boys holds a much lower score, showing some serious discrepancies between the BBB and general customer feedback. There are some mixed ratings depending on which Pep Boys branch you look at, but our local Pep Boys location has a 4.8-star average rating from verified customers. The specific branch location of this auto parts store is praised for its quick work and friendly customer service. So, make sure you check out your local branch before you decide.
Best if you don't want to do the work
While Pep Boys may be good for certain services or if you aren't confident in repairing your own car, this auto parts store isn't really an auto parts store. In fact, it's mostly just a franchise repair shop. Unless you want tires, you can't buy anything directly. All of the services can be pre-ordered, making it easy to plan your repair jobs. While feedback can differ depending on location, it's generally well-respected as a franchise that takes care of your car. For these reasons, it earns a competitive rating, though not our highest, as it's more of a repair shop than a parts store. It's worth a look if you need someone else to do the work for you and want to simplify buying parts and getting them installed.
Continued from above...
If you're a motorhead like we are, you know the struggle that comes with working on cars. Whether you're a professional mechanic hunting for a new supplier or a weekend enthusiast who prefers turning your own wrenches, buying auto parts isn't cheap. Picking up the parts yourself can definitely help you avoid those painful mechanic markups (we're looking at you, dealership service departments), but tracking down quality components at a fair price is where things get tricky.
Finding the best deals on parts you can actually trust? That's the real challenge. No one wants spark plugs that fizzle out early or brake pads that wear down faster than expected just because you tried to save a few bucks. And sure, sometimes you just need to grab another 10mm socket (yes, we know-it vanished again). Either way, choosing the right auto parts store makes it easy to get what you need without the headache.
Whether you're doing an engine swap for your next YouTube video or just trying to do a little at-home tune-up, finding the right auto parts for your car and for your project is going to make or break your project. Different makes and models can have completely different needs for the same project. For example, if you've replaced the wheel bearings on a Nissan, a Mitsubishi is so different that it can take hours of extra work (and different specialty tools). But the trade-off is saving over $1,000 in labor costs, so if you can do it with the help of a solid auto parts store, you should.
These days, you don't have to rely on your local auto parts store (sometimes with a pretty limited inventory) to have everything you need. Online shopping has made it faster than ever to search for your make and model and grab parts that are designed specifically for your vehicle. And, you can easily find parts that are OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), so you know that a Mercedes part was made by Mercedes for your Mercedes model. Then, there's no confusion about fit, and you can generally count on OEM to be high quality, or at least the same quality as the parts that originally came with your car when you bought it. Plus, for auto parts that are made overseas, shopping online can be the only way to get what you need.
If you're ready to get going on your next car project, but aren't sure which retailer to trust as your top auto parts store, we've done the hard work for you - so hopefully the process of getting your auto parts will be simple. There's enough stress when you're working on cars, and auto parts should be the easy-breezy step. Here are some factors you can consider to make sure you're getting the best auto parts from the best retailer on the market:
So, if you're ready to dive into your next project for maintenance or upgrading your ride, you've got the tools at your disposal (literally): Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the best options for auto parts stores available. Now, you can grab your parts, tools, paint, and more. Whether you're restoring an old Camaro (good luck) or just trying to fix your favorite ride, there's an auto parts store out there to help you get the job done. And try not to lose your 10mm this time!
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