Ordering car parts from Germany works best if you buy by part number, not by photo or model name. Find the OE number with your VIN (vehicle identification number), then compare shops. Inside the EU you get the same core consumer rights as at home: a 14-day right of withdrawal for online purchases and at least two years of legal guarantee on new goods, with no customs duty. Outside the EU, for example in the UK, the USA or Switzerland, your own country's import VAT, customs duty and carrier fees may apply, and returns are slower and more expensive. Always check the rules of your destination country before ordering.
1. Why buy from Germany
Germany has some of the largest online car parts retailers in Europe. Autodoc, based in Berlin, reported around 1.6 billion euros in revenue for 2024 and sells in 27 European countries. kfzteile24, also from Berlin, states that it lists over 3 million parts and focuses on German makes. For owners of Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Opel, original and OE-equivalent parts are often easy to find.
2. Find the right part
- Get your VIN: 17 characters, on your registration document and on the car.
- Find the OE number: on the old part, in the manufacturer's parts catalogue or from a dealer. Our English guide explains how: Find OE part numbers for German cars.
- Know your engine code: many parts depend on the engine or gearbox, not just the model. Market-specific versions can differ.
- Search shops by OE number: they map their articles to OE numbers, so you see all matching brands at once.
- Compare before fitting: check number, dimensions and connectors against the old part. A part that has been fitted may lose much of its value if you return it.
3. Where to buy
| Channel | Notes |
|---|---|
| Large online shops (e.g. Autodoc, kfzteile24) | Wide range, search by OE number. Return conditions differ: at Autodoc the customer pays return shipping on withdrawal, kfzteile24 advertises 30-day free returns (October 2026). |
| eBay | Used original parts and rare items. eBay offers a fitment promise with free return labels when a part marked as compatible does not fit, but international shipments are excluded from the automatic label. |
| Dealers | Original parts identified by VIN, usually more expensive. |
German-language details: Autodoc, kfzteile24, eBay.
4. Buying from inside the EU
- No customs duty within the EU single market.
- 14-day right of withdrawal for online purchases from businesses. Return shipping costs may be charged to you if the shop informed you beforehand.
- At least two years of legal guarantee on new goods from businesses.
- Fitted parts: Germany's Federal Court of Justice ruled in 2016 (VIII ZR 55/15) that a buyer who fitted and test-drove a part before withdrawing owed compensation for the loss in value.
- Disputes: the European Consumer Centres network helps with cross-border complaints within the EU free of charge.
5. Buying from outside the EU
If you live outside the EU, the rules of your own country apply to the import. Typically this means import VAT or sales tax, possibly customs duty depending on the tariff code, and a handling fee charged by the carrier. Since Brexit this also applies to the UK. Check your national customs authority before ordering expensive parts, and factor return costs into the price: sending a heavy part back to Germany can cost more than you save.
Parts must also be legal where you drive. Lighting and braking components sold in the EU carry ECE approval marks, which may or may not be recognised in your country. Check before ordering safety-relevant parts.
6. FAQ
Do I pay customs on car parts from Germany?
Not if you live in another EU country. Outside the EU, your country's import rules apply, often import VAT, possibly duty and a carrier handling fee.
Can I return a car part bought online in Germany?
Consumers in the EU have a 14-day right of withdrawal for online purchases from businesses. Fitted parts may only be refunded with a deduction for loss in value.
How do I find the right part number?
Use your VIN to look up the OE number in the manufacturer's catalogue, or read it from the old part. Then search shops by that number.
Sources: Wikipedia: Autodoc, kfzteile24.de, eBay fitment promise, BGH VIII ZR 55/15. German version: Autoteile aus dem Ausland bestellen. As of October 2026, not legal or tax advice.