Old Cars shines some light on questions that come up with collector cars. This time we tackle the question of whether or not there is a 10-year parts rule that manufacturers abide by.
QUESTION:
Is there really a 10-year parts rule from car manufacturers?
INSIGHT:
[Regarding the 10-year parts “rule”], I worked in the parts department of Toyota dealerships from 1966 to the year 2000. In 1980, I had a customer come in wanting to order parts for a model not imported into this country, which he had imported. Another customer owned a rare 2000GT sports car. I was able to fill both orders to about 95 percent. In 1982, I began at a Ford dealership. I had a customer come in wanting to buy a taillight lens for his 1972 station wagon, which had been broken in a parking lot incident. I was informed by the parts depot that parts could no longer be ordered for vehicles over 10 years old, unless it interchanged with newer model years. Although there are no rulings or laws regarding this subject, I have to assume it’s just up to the manufacturers how long they want to keep inventory on older models. After all, it’s their investment, not your needs. If memory serves me, Toyota dropped models as old as 30+ years in the mid-1990s. — Roy Nelson, Arizona
Old Cars – We had a sneaking suspicion that this is how it worked. Now we know. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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