When you first think of Amazon Garage, you might expect something fairly basic and only catering towards common, modern cars. But spend an evening browsing through the different makes and models, and you'll realise how much of a car encyclopaedia it is.
It's easy to get lost learning about makes and models that you've previously never heard of. Or just by finding out whether they have an obscure car listed that you thought wouldn't be there. The great thing is, by using Amazon Garage, you can choose these vehicles and search results for maintenance parts are filtered to those that fit.
How annoying is it trying to find the right part for your car? Especially when you order a part only for it not to fit. Especially if you own an older, more obscure car. Thankfully Amazon Garage can be used to prevent that from happening, so when you buy your next air filter, it'll fit without trouble.
We've put together a guide on how to use Amazon Garage to save you time and find the best parts for your car.
How to add your car to Amazon Garage
Once you load up the Amazon Garage page you'll be asked to enter your car's details. This is simply a case of adding the relevant details for your car (make, model, years of production, and engine size) and your car will be saved for you to use.
If you go on the Amazon Automotive site then you can add your details even easier. Simply input your car's registration number and you'll be able to filter the correct parts for it.
Once you've added your vehicles, they are saved in your garage ready for you to select and filter parts that will fit them.
How to filter spare parts for your car
Once you've added your car to the Garage you can now easily filter parts that fit your car. There are two options for finding parts, using the search feature or using the Amazon Garage page.
If you use the search box after typing in (for example) headlight bulbs, you'll see an option to filter results by your vehicle. Selecting this will only show products that fit it (although be warned, sponsored products will still show up). Another thing worth noting; you can change which vehicle you want the parts filtered for
If you're on the Amazon Garage page you can scroll down and there are a number of parts categories to choose from. You can use that page to specifically browse maintenance parts for your vehicle.
What you need to know about Amazon Garage:
How many cars can you add?
Amazon says that multiple cars can be added and after testing, there really is no sign of a limit. This means the feature can be used if you own a large fleet of cars or if you're planning on buying a car and want to see parts availability. We've also discovered it can be used for dream car collection planning.
Do they cover every car?
Own an incredibly rare car that struggles to show up on most websites? Much to our surprise, Amazon Garage might just have it in their database.
We searched several nearly-extinct cars to see if there were any gaps. And while the stream of parts for a Talbot-Matra Rancho, Sao Penza or Daihatsu Applause may be next to nothing, the fact these cars are listed in the database is commendable.
In fact, the only real trouble in the Amazon Garage line-up is any car produced before 1950. With the Jaguar XK120 for example (went on sale in 1948), it only lists the 1950 model year as the oldest. Though, if you are driving a pre-war Alvis or Riley, you're probably not going to be shopping for spares on Amazon Garage. There is also a noticeable gap in JDM oddities, but it mainly focuses on cars that were sold in the UK from new. With the U.S site, the Garage will act similarly.
Amazon Garage is also updated very frequently with new cars as and when they go on sale; the recently launched G60 BMW 5-Series is now on there with all mild and plug-in hybrid variants.
What vehicle-specific parts can you buy?
We looked at the products available for several cars and found that Amazon stocks and filters any service parts from car batteries, headlight bulbs, air filters, and even tyres.
It should be clear though that for anything major such as brakes, head gaskets, exhaust systems and body panels, Amazon Garage won't be your answer. Especially for rare or interesting cars, where you will be much better off approaching a specialist for the appropriate advice.
Does Amazon cover more than just cars?
Yes, motorcycles are covered as well. For fun, we added in a Honda CBR 1000 and a Triumph Daytona 650, and we could still find air filters, engine oil, and even headlights that fitted them.
Like the cars, bikes are being added all the time and you have a plethora of brands and models, past and present to lose yourself in. Sadly though, no Brough Superiors are on Amazon Garage yet.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he's not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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