But what should you do when new parts are no longer made for your vehicle? If you’re struggling to find replacement parts, often labelled “NLA” (no longer available) by manufacturers, there’s no need to retire the vehicle straight away. With help from aftermarket manufacturers, machinists and parts suppliers, it’s possible to repair your vehicle and keep it on the road for years to come.
Why Parts Become Unavailable
Manufacturers are required to produce thousands of parts to service all of their vehicles, but that level of support doesn’t last forever. As vehicles age, demand for specific parts drops sharply, and OEMs reach a point where producing spare components is no longer commercially viable. Most manufacturers only guarantee spare parts for the first decade or so after a model goes out of production, though some shared components, like common brake, engine and transmission parts, often remain available well beyond that.
This is where the “NLA” designation comes from. It doesn’t mean a part can’t be sourced, only that the original manufacturer has stopped producing it. There are still several practical paths to keeping your vehicle running.
1. Check With Aftermarket Manufacturers
Aftermarket manufacturers are usually the simplest place to start when an OEM part is out of production.
Compared with OEMs, aftermarket manufacturers tend to support fewer vehicle models but for much longer periods. This is especially true for vehicles in performance or high-demand environments, such as racing, off-roading, or commercial fleets, where aftermarket suppliers often continue producing parts long after the manufacturer has moved on.
2. Repair and Refurbish Old Components
Depending on the new parts your vehicle needs, it may be possible to repair and refurbish existing components. Some parts can be brought back to life by a skilled machinist, and items such as bearings and bushes are readily available off-the-shelf. Items like suspension, drivetrains, mounting points and engine parts are typically suitable for rebuilding, although parts that have sustained accident damage should be evaluated for safety.
Any of the following components may be suitable for refurbishment or reconditioning by an automotive machinist:
- Transmissions
- CV joints and shafts
- Shock absorbers
- Leaf springs
- Cam shafts
- Crank shafts
- Prop shafts
With computer-controlled equipment capable of precise refinishing work, like honing, head skimming and shaft balancing, a skilled engineer can repurpose a wide range of existing components. If your vehicle is old, imported, obscure, or built with lots of custom parts, refurbishment is often the most cost-effective way to deal with worn-out components, particularly when a direct replacement simply doesn’t exist.
Parts that have sustained accident damage should always be assessed for safety before refurbishment is considered.
3. Source New Old Stock (NOS) or Parts From Other Markets
Sometimes a part that’s discontinued in Australia is still being produced, or was produced in larger numbers, for other markets. In some cases, parts remain available in countries where a model continued production or stayed popular for longer, and specialist import suppliers can help navigate sourcing these from overseas.
It’s also worth checking for “New Old Stock” (NOS), genuine parts manufactured under the original run that have simply never been used or installed. NOS parts are sometimes the only current source of a particular component once it’s officially discontinued, and specialist suppliers with large historical inventories can occasionally turn up parts that haven’t been available through normal channels for years.
4. Custom Fabricated Parts
If the parts you need are not available from manufacturers, and your existing components can’t be refurbished, it is often possible to source custom fabrication. An automotive fabricator can create and modify custom-designed components for your vehicle. While custom fabrication can be an involved process of design, engineering and testing, an experienced fabricator can produce OEM-quality parts that stand up to any application. Whether you need parts for racing, off-roading or rare vehicles, a custom fabrication workshop can design the pieces you need.
The major benefit of custom manufacturing is the ability to tailor a part to meet your needs. You can have an original component duplicated exactly, or you can ask the engineer to update the design to improve its durability and utility. The sky is the limit when it comes to custom work, so it’s best to speak to a fabrication workshop and discuss your needs.
Need Drivetrain Refurbishing or Custom Parts? Contact Driveline Today!
Driveline Services Australia specialises in supplying and fitting drivetrain, power transmission and underbody components for a wide range of vehicles. From passenger cars and 4WDs to road transport, mining vehicles and industrial equipment, we can source and service most drivetrain components.
Driveline works with OEMs and high-quality aftermarket manufacturers across the world, so our shelves are always stocked with thousands of parts to suit almost any application. For those parts we don’t stock or can’t get a hold of, we also offer workshop services that include custom fabrication, parts repair and component refurbishment.
Contact us today and talk to our experienced team about the underbody and power transmission components your vehicle needs.
FAQs
What does "NLA" mean for car parts?
NLA stands for “no longer available” and refers to parts that the original manufacturer has stopped producing, usually because a vehicle model is old enough that demand for that specific part has dropped too low to justify ongoing production.
Is it worth refurbishing an old part instead of replacing it?
In many cases, yes, particularly for components like transmissions, shafts, and suspension parts. Refurbishment can be more cost-effective than custom fabrication and is often the only practical option for rare, imported, or obscure vehicles.
When is custom fabrication necessary?
Custom fabrication is generally a last resort, used when a part isn’t available from any manufacturer and the existing component is too damaged or worn to refurbish. It’s common for rare vehicles, heavily modified vehicles, and specialist applications like racing or off-roading.
