Despite what you think...
...parts aren't always the same just by visual looks alone.
How do we know this? Trust us... We know.
A vehicle built between, lets say for example 2002 and 2007 has 5 years of coverage. That vehicle may look no different built in 2007 to what it did in 2002. Yet, parts may differ massively.
A parts department are bound by certain regulations from the manufacturer, so getting the right information to obtain the right part is a given. However, it can still fall flat on its backside. If the part turns out to be wrong, the manufacturers systems and processes will enable the parts department to investigate it by ways of providing vehicle identification and catalogue numbers by means of a technical request.
The manufacturer will then delve further and provide the parts department with the information they need, in order to obtain the part required.
That feature cannot be used directly at the beginning of any request, unless your request of a certain part is not recognised on the parts catalogue.
If no information is provided on the back of "They're all the same mate" and the part is wrong, it could be the fine line of penalisation for that particular parts department in respect of having to write the incorrect part off or keeping it on the shelf to gather dust for a few years. Not everything can be returned.
During a vehicles production, it will undergo a number of changes. Maybe not to the visual looks, but updates to components, electrics etc, but these will all need a vehicles chassis (VIN) number to obtain the correct parts.
The visual parts are no different.
A side vent that looks no different on the cars 5 year production run, may have gone through several different suppliers, modifications etc., that providing the correct vehicle details will not only enable the correct process to be followed, but should that particular part fail in any way in a short period of time after purchase, you have good stead to have warranty coverage against it.
So, as simple a task as it may be, not all parts are necessarily the same. You are not only saving yourself some time and grief, but the time and grief of the parts department you are wishing to use.
Provide the VIN, get the part and if it's incorrect, allow them to follow the process to obtain the correct one for you.
-Will B ;)
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