Will the part fit your car — how to check before installing
The most expensive mistake in buying car parts is testing fit by installing the part. An installed part cannot be returned, so compatibility is checked BEFORE the purchase. Below are four reliable methods, most precise first.
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Why this is the first question
A car part cannot be "tried on and returned if it does not fit". Fitting leaves marks: wrench traces, scuffing, and a brake pad changes its friction layer on the very first stop. That is why on TezDetal — and everywhere else — an installed part cannot be returned. It is not shop strictness; the item simply cannot be sold again.
So you get exactly one chance to check the fit, and it is before you buy. The good news: you do not need to be a mechanic for it.
1. The part number on the old part — the most precise method
Almost every factory part has a number stamped or cast into it. This is the part number (OEM number) — the identifier the manufacturer assigned to that exact part. It is more precise than the model name or the year, because parts differ even within one model.
When you remove the old part, write the number down or photograph it. On a filter it is on the housing, on a brake pad on the back of the plate, on electrical parts on the label.
You need the number for aftermarket parts too: manufacturers publish the list of OEM numbers their part replaces.
2. The VIN
The VIN is the unique 17-character body number. It shows the exact configuration the car left the factory in: engine, transmission, market, options.
- In the vehicle registration document — the easiest route.
- Lower corner of the windscreen — a plate readable from outside.
- On the driver's door pillar — a sticker visible with the door open.
- In the engine bay or on the body floor — depends on the model.
3. Model, year and engine — the minimum
With neither a part number nor a VIN, tell the seller at least three things: model, year of manufacture and engine size. Saying just "Nexia" is not enough — Nexia, Nexia 2 and Nexia 3 are different cars and many of their parts are not interchangeable.
The same model name can also cover facelift versions: the body looks unchanged while headlights, bumper or suspension parts are already different.
4. What to ask the seller
TezDetal is a marketplace: every item is sold by an independent shop and you can message it directly. Asking before you order is cheap; asking afterwards is not.
- "What is the part number?" — compare it with the number on your own part.
- "Does this fit a <year> <model> with a <engine> engine?"
- "Is the manufacturer printed on the box?" — for aftermarket parts this is a quality signal.
- "Is there a warranty, and for how long?"
The "Fits" list on the product page
On TezDetal the seller marks which models a part fits when listing it, and that list is shown on the product page. Use it as your first filter: if your model is not on the list, there is nothing further to check.
But your model being on the list is where checking starts, not where it ends. A person fills in that list; the factory stamps the part number.
Frequently asked questions
- What if I do not know the part number?
- Give the seller the model, year and engine size, and send a photo of the old part. That is usually enough. The most reliable route is to remove the part and read the number on it.
- Is it safe to give a seller my VIN?
- The VIN is not confidential — it is visible from outside through the windscreen, and looking up parts by VIN is standard practice. It cannot be used to transfer ownership. Still, share it only for parts lookup.
- Will an aftermarket part definitely fit?
- The manufacturer states which OEM number its part replaces. If that link exists, it fits dimensionally. Quality is a separate question: OEM vs aftermarket.
- Can I install it and return it afterwards?
- No. An installed part cannot be returned, because after fitting it can no longer be sold as new. An unused, uninstalled item in its original packaging can be returned within 14 days.