As the title says. If your car is outside of warranty and you require a bit of DIY who do you go to for parts?

Dependant on the part, but most likely to go cheap, as im a scrooge.

We supply companies who make parts for car manufacturers. They also supply "branded" part distributors.

For example we did a project for a company supplying wishbones to a Japanese firm that builds cars in the UK. The OEM and "branded" parts are 100% identical in this case - yet there would be a significant difference in price between the two if yo uwanted to buy one.

Aftermarket OE from a reputable supplier/manufacturer like GSF, Eurocarparts, etc.

Wanna try and keep everything skoda. dont mind paying a little extra.

but mines still under warranty, maybe my attitude will change once its out..haha

I'd rather uprate the parts instead of just replace. say my exhaust went, i'd go for a blueflame or miltek instead of skoda or kwik fit. Same goes to other parts aswell. (when out of warranty of course)

Nothing wrong with OEM parts, the manufacturers don't make all their own parts. Just becuase they come from a local motor factor does not mean that they are cheaper than the original. One example I have come across is the clutch master cylinder for a Fabia/Octavia. From Skoda the retail was

Just for the hell of it I did a bit of internet shopping today. Car is out of warranty, can do a few bits of servicing myself (family reads this, scream and leave the country).

Air filter (Fabia vRS 2004)

Mfgr Part No

VAG 6Q0129620 price 23.36 plus VAT

Mann C2295/3 price 18.88 plus VAT

Crossland 8261 price 15.36 plus VAT

Panel Filter

VAG 6Q0820367B price 19.43 plus VAT

MANN CUK2545 PRICE 15.40 PLUS VAT

Crossland N/A

All prices in euro. I'll have more later and will edit this post.