Unipart - The Automotive Way (Unipart Automotive)

Member Name: chris212

Product:	Unipart Automotive
Date:	06/06/09 (106 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap parts

Disadvantages: Need to know has to fit parts or know someone who does

Unipart Automotive is a division within the Unpart company, who can be described as one of the biggest third party distribution companies and the largest private companies in the United Kingdom. Originally Unipart was part of the British Layland group, but bought from British Layland when BL when bust, and was purchased through management buy out. Currently Unipart are the dominant player with the automotive parts sector. Within the Unipart there are a number of divisions such as Unipart Automotive (which this review will focus on), consultancy, rail stock and logicstical movements. Some of the companies that Unipart have as customers within the whole company -

* Vodafone
* Halfords
* Play.com
* BSkyB
* Homebase

Unipart Automotive focus is selling after sale parts for car and vans for both individuals and companies; so they are selling new manufactored spare parts. Although the company is vastly unknown by individuals, but the vast majority of people who have had their car serviced at a large brand garage, will have their spare parts brought from Unipart Automotive.

The large companies that Unipart Automotive currently supply are-

* KwikFit
* The RAC / AA
* Nationwide Auto Centes
* ATS Euromaster

So although you may not realise it, you may already have parts bought from Unipart Automotive in your car. The way the company works is that, within the Unipart group, compatiable parts are manufactored, this is the reason why all parts are packaged in Unipart boxes. If the part that you are looking for is not maufactured by Unipart themselves, the part can be ordered from an associate supplier.

Although the main focus of the business is the sale of products to their main big customers like KwikFit, individuals can also buy products from Unipart Automotive. This can either be done over the counter at one of the companies warehouses, or over the telephone and the company will deliver the parts to you.

What I have found is, with the branches where I live, Cardiff, all the staff are friendly and try to help you as much as you can. Although if there are telephones ringing when you go to buy parts over the counter, the staff will answer these as a priority. As they stated they have been told to do so by management, as this is where they make most of their money. But the staff do apologies to you, if there is a delay.

The only problem you do have with buying products from Unipart Automotive is that either you need to have the expertise to install the new part or know some one that will install the part for you. Otherwise it would be almost useless for a person to buy the parts, as they cannot be installed. Although it should be pointed out that is chepaer to purchase directly from Unipart Automotive, rather than one of the big brand garages, as they put their own charges on top.

Summary: Good to buy from but need to know how to fit parts, otherwise of no help