How To Buy New Old Stock (NOS) Parts on eBay

It’s only original once. That’s something you might hear in the collector car hobby. But what does that mean for those who strive to keep their ride on the road while simultaneously maintaining the factory-correctness of their vehicle with new old stock (NOS) parts?

Those in the know head to the deep well of NOS auto parts on eBay Motors, which offers one-stop shopping for almost every conceivable vehicle make and model.

What Does New Old Stock Mean?

New old stock refers to parts produced for but never used when a specific vehicle was new. Or the pieces were made by a parts supplier in anticipation of bigger demand. Many warehouses of NOS parts sprung up because automakers required their suppliers to keep an inventory of parts for cars and trucks that, in some cases, stretched 15 years.

Supply chain issues were not tolerated back then. Manufacturers did this to prevent shortages that might affect dealer servicing. The unintended effect was a vast repository of “new old stock” that sat on shelves unused. These NOS parts collect dust, waiting for a customer to seek them out when restoring or repairing a vintage car.

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Where to Find NOS Parts

Of course, eBay is the quick and easy way to find NOS parts. Older dealerships, mainly family-owned and in smaller towns, often have a trove of parts sitting on back shelves. Some auto swap meets feature sellers trying to close out their supply. Let fellow auto enthusiasts know you are seeking out those NOS parts.

New and Old at the Same Time

Since the original suppliers manufactured these NOS parts, they are considered period-correct components. Using them does not negatively impact a vehicle’s originality.

Plus, NOS parts fit exactly as intended and offer the same level of quality as what left the factory. This contrasts to replica or reproduction parts, many produced outside strict quality controls. Those may even use materials that aren’t up to modern standards.

Despite the popularity of NOS parts, when doing a 1,000-point correct restoration, there are some instances where you don’t need that pricey NOS part—any place where the part won’t be seen and doesn’t impact the use of the car. Gaskets, for example, are rarely seen once an engine is assembled.

Four Ways to Verify the Part

When searching for NOS parts on eBay Motors, there are four things you can do to make sure you’re getting the genuine article—and not a reproduction piece.

First, read the description closely. A great description should clearly describe the part and confirm that it is indeed new old stock.
Check the seller feedback. The more positive, the better, especially if you can establish that the company or individual has a long history of NOS sales. See what else the seller has listed. Frequently, a seller has an extensive listing of NOS parts from their stockpile.
Next, ensure that the parts you buy are documented with photographs showing the exact piece. Don’t rely on generic pictures of a “radiator” or a “switch.” An authentic NOS vendor will have no issues snapping a shot of the item. You’ve hit the jackpot if it’s still in the original box.
Finally, check the pricing. Repro parts are typically cheaper than new old stock parts—in some cases, suspiciously cheap. Repro manufacturers build parts as quickly and inexpensively as possible. If you come across someone selling NOS auto parts on eBay at a price that seems too good to be true, use the site’s “Ask the seller a question” feature to inquire why the cost of a particular item is so low.

5 Well-Established NOS eBay Sellers

When searching for NOS parts, locating relaible suppliers that consistently sell various quality parts and have great eBay seller ratings is paramount. While there are plenty of sellers on eBay, here are some key sellers of NOS parts.

An advantage of some NOS parts for GM vehicles is that the parts are often interchangeable among the marquees. Vintage NOS GM Parts presently has over 300 listings that are in demand.
Blue oval fans are lucky that Kama Obsolete Ford Parts reports having 200,000 NOS parts in their current inventory, focusing on pieces from the 1960s to 1980s.
Brad’s NOS Parts can handle any Mopar needs from its 30,000-square-foot warehouse.
Locating parts for British imports can be challenging, but British Car Parts Company has supplied parts for the imports since 1976.
Motorcyclist purists will be glad to know they can find NOS pieces from NOS Parts Now. With nearly 40,000 items in stock, their inventory will help in any restoration.

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New Old Stock Auto Parts Are an Investment

Here’s one last piece of advice. If you come across a cache of hard-to-find NOS parts, buy as many as you can afford. This might not apply to bulky items like bumpers and body panels. But you never know when your classic’s supply of headlights, chrome trim, or door handles might dry up.