You need a part. The dealer wants $600 for it. Your mate reckons he saw one at a wrecker for $80. eBay has twelve listings and half of them ship from China. Here's how each option actually stacks up, with real prices and the trade-offs nobody tells you about.
Wreckers (Auto Recyclers)
Wreckers are the cheapest option for most parts. You're buying genuine OEM components pulled from written-off or end-of-life vehicles. The catch is you usually need to inspect the part yourself, and most wreckers don't offer warranties longer than a week or two.
Body panels, trim pieces, interior parts, mirrors, and glass are all brilliant wrecker buys. These parts don't wear out the same way mechanical components do, so a door mirror off a 2015 Hilux with 180,000 km on the clock is functionally identical to a new one.
Mechanical parts are where it gets tricky. An alternator from a wrecker might have 150,000 km on it. It works today, but you have no idea how long it'll last. Some wreckers test electrical components before selling. Ask if they do -- and get it in writing.
Best wrecker buys
- Body panels (doors, guards, bonnets, boot lids)
- Side mirrors and interior trim
- Glass (windscreens, quarter glass)
- Wheels and hubcaps
- Interior parts (seats, consoles, door cards)
- Tail lights, headlights (check for moisture damage)
How to find wreckers near you
Search "[your suburb] auto wreckers" on Google Maps. Most capital cities have wrecker clusters -- Somerton and Thomastown in Melbourne, Smithfield and Villawood in Sydney, Rocklea in Brisbane. Self-serve yards let you pull parts yourself and pay less. Full-service yards pull them for you but charge more.
eBay Australia
eBay AU gives you the widest range of any single platform. You'll find wrecker stock, aftermarket parts, imported parts, and occasionally genuine OEM at discounted prices. The buyer protection is solid -- if the part doesn't match the listing, you can open a case and get your money back.
The killer on eBay is postage. A bumper bar that costs $150 on eBay might cost another $80 to $120 to ship because of its size and weight. Check postage before you get excited about a listing price. For small items (sensors, switches, clips, interior trim) eBay is hard to beat.
Tips for buying on eBay
- Filter by "Australian Sellers Only" to avoid 3-week waits from overseas
- Check the seller's feedback score -- anything below 98% is a red flag
- Use the compatibility checker to make sure the part fits your exact model and year
- Ask the seller for the OEM part number before buying
- Factor in postage to compare the real price against a local wrecker
Aftermarket (Non-OEM New Parts)
Aftermarket parts are brand new, made by third-party manufacturers to fit your car. Quality varies wildly. Some aftermarket brands produce parts that are identical to OEM spec. Others cut corners with thinner metal, cheaper plastics, or loose tolerances that make fitment a nightmare.
Aftermarket is excellent for consumables and wear items: brake pads, oil filters, air filters, wiper blades, mirrors, and radiators. These parts are straightforward to manufacture and the quality gap between OEM and aftermarket is small.
Aftermarket body panels are hit and miss. A $200 aftermarket guard might need an hour of panel work to fit properly, which eats into your savings. Headlights and tail lights are another lottery. Cheap aftermarket headlights can have poor beam pattern, moisture ingress, and faded lenses within a year.
Reliable aftermarket brands in Australia
- Protex -- brakes and suspension
- Ryco -- filters
- Gates -- belts and hoses
- Bosch -- electrical, sensors, wiper blades
- Taipan -- radiators and cooling
Genuine OEM from the Dealer
Dealer parts are the most expensive option, full stop. You're paying for guaranteed fitment, a warranty, and the peace of mind that the part is exactly what came off the production line. For safety-critical components and complex electronics, dealer parts are sometimes the only sensible choice.
If the part involves airbags, seatbelts, or brake hardware, buy genuine. If it's a body control module or an ECU, buy genuine -- aftermarket ECUs are rare and wrecker units can have software issues tied to the donor vehicle.
Real Price Comparisons
These are typical Australian prices as of 2026. Your local pricing will vary based on location, part condition, and availability.
Alternator - Holden Commodore VE (2006 to 2013)
| Source | Price | Warranty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrecker | $80 - $120 | 7 days typical | Used, unknown km. Test before fitting. |
| eBay AU | $130 - $180 | 30 days (eBay guarantee) | Mix of used and reco. Add $15 to $25 postage. |
| Aftermarket (new) | $180 - $250 | 12 months | Quality varies by brand. Bosch is solid. |
| Dealer (genuine) | $420 - $500 | 12 months | Guaranteed fit. Usually needs ordering in. |
Headlight Assembly - Mazda 3 BM (2014 to 2018)
| Source | Price | Warranty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrecker | $100 - $150 | 7 days typical | Check lens clarity and for moisture inside. |
| Aftermarket (new) | $180 - $250 | 6 to 12 months | Fitment can be off. Beam pattern may differ. |
| eBay AU | $150 - $280 | 30 days (eBay guarantee) | Wide range. Confirm halogen vs LED match. |
| Dealer (genuine) | $550 - $700 | 12 months | Exact match. Expensive but correct beam pattern. |
Door Mirror Assembly - Toyota Hilux (2015 to 2020)
| Source | Price | Warranty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrecker | $60 - $90 | 7 days typical | Check electric motors and heated function. |
| Aftermarket (new) | $80 - $130 | 6 to 12 months | Good quality available. Confirm electric vs manual. |
| eBay AU | $70 - $150 | 30 days (eBay guarantee) | Confirm colour code matches your vehicle. |
| Dealer (genuine) | $300 - $450 | 12 months | Usually needs colour matching and painting. |
The Decision Matrix
Here's the quick version. Body panels and trim: go wrecker first, eBay second. Filters, brake pads, and consumables: aftermarket new is the sweet spot. Electrical components (alternators, starters, window motors): wrecker if you can test on-site, aftermarket or reco if not. Safety parts: always buy new.
If you're unsure whether a part fits, look up your VIN and get the exact OEM part number first. It takes five minutes and saves you from buying the wrong part.