If you find yourself in the position of having to buy essential car parts but have limited funds to do so there are ways of saving money if you are willing to shop around. The first thing to consider is the possibility of having the part repaired. If this is not possible other options will need to be explored.
Probably the most expensive way to buy car parts is to buy them directly from a main dealership as they will automatically add a percentage of the cost on to the cost to you. It is by far a better option to either source the parts yourself from an independent supplier or from an online retailer both of which will be able to advice you on the correct part required.
Another option is to consider buying used parts from a breakers yard or from an online auction site. The disadvantage with this option is that you have limited guarantees and returning unwanted parts can be problematic and costly. Reconditioned parts may be a preferred choice as they are cheaper than new parts but usually come with some guarantee. If you follow this route be aware that often you are required to exchange your faulty part for the reconditioned one so your old part can then be reconditioned and sold on.