If you drive in Turkey, sooner or later you will need a replacement part, and you will quickly learn that new parts from the dealer can cost more than the repair is worth. The good news: the market for used auto parts in Turkey is one of the largest and most active in the region, and it is built on genuine original parts. Thousands of dismantlers („çıkmacı“) across the country remove original parts from end-of-life, damaged and imported vehicles and resell them, often for a fraction of the new price.
This guide explains how that market works, how to find the right part the first time, what to ask a seller, and the red flags that tell you to walk away. Whether you are a local driver, an expat, a mechanic or a small workshop, the same rules apply.
What „çıkma“ means and why it matters
In Turkish, a „çıkma parça“ (literally „removed part“) is an original manufacturer part taken from another vehicle. It is not a copy and not a remanufactured unit: it is the same part that left the factory, with real mileage on it. You will see three main categories when you shop:
| Turkish term | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Çıkma (used original) | Genuine OEM part removed from another car | Body panels, lights, engines, gearboxes, electronics, interior parts |
| Sıfır / Orijinal (new original) | New part from the manufacturer or its supplier | Safety items, wear parts, warranty repairs |
| Yan sanayi (aftermarket) | New part made by a third-party manufacturer | Filters, brake pads, bulbs, common service items |
For many components, a good used original part fits better and lasts longer than a cheap new aftermarket copy, because it was designed for your exact vehicle. That is why experienced mechanics in Turkey often prefer çıkma parts for headlights, mirrors, door panels, ECUs and complete engine or gearbox assemblies.
How much can you save with used auto parts in Turkey?
Savings depend on the part, the brand and its condition, but used original parts commonly sell for 30% to 70% less than new dealer parts. The gap is largest on expensive, slow-wearing components:
- Headlights and tail lights, especially LED and xenon units; used headlights and tail lights are among the most searched parts
- Electronic control units (engine, ABS, airbag, comfort modules)
- Body panels such as doors, bonnets, bumpers and boot lids, ideally in the same colour
- Complete engines and gearboxes, including automatic transmissions
- Interior parts: seats, dashboards, steering wheels, trim
There is also an environmental benefit: reusing a working part avoids manufacturing a new one, and keeps tonnes of metal, glass and electronics out of scrap yards.
Step 1: Identify the exact part before you search
Most bad purchases happen because the buyer searched by car model alone. Two cars with the same name can use different parts depending on year, engine, trim level and market. Before you contact any seller, collect these details:
- VIN (chassis number, „şasi numarası“): printed on your registration document („ruhsat“) and usually visible at the bottom of the windscreen. It is the most reliable way for a seller to confirm compatibility.
- OEM part number („parça kodu“ or „OEM numarası“): stamped or printed on most original parts. If you still have the old part, photograph its label. A matching OEM number is the strongest proof of fit.
- Engine code and size, for example 1.6 TDI or 1.5 dCi, plus the engine code if you know it.
- Model year and generation (facelift or pre-facelift often matters for lights and bumpers).
- Side and position: left („sol“) or right („sağ“), front („ön“) or rear („arka“).
- Gearbox type: manual („manuel“) or automatic („otomatik“).
Tip: in Turkey „left“ and „right“ are always given from the driver’s seat. A „sağ ön far“ is the front headlight on the passenger side.
Step 2: Search where the sellers are
Traditionally, buyers phoned dismantlers one by one or visited industrial districts („sanayi sitesi“) where used part shops are clustered, such as İkitelli in Istanbul, Ostim in Ankara or the large salvage areas around Konya, Bursa and Sakarya. That still works, but it is slow, and the part you need may be sitting in a shop in another city.
Today the fastest route is a dedicated marketplace that brings many dismantlers together and lets you filter by brand, model, part and city. For example, cikmaparcacin.com lists more than half a million used and new auto parts from over 200 sellers across Turkey, and lets you search by OEM number as well as by vehicle. Searching by OEM number is especially powerful: it shows every listing of that exact part, regardless of which car it came from. If you don’t have the number yet, you can browse used car parts by brand, model and city and narrow the results from there.
Useful Turkish search words: far (headlight), stop (tail light), ayna (mirror), tampon (bumper), kaput (bonnet), kapı (door), çamurluk (fender), motor (engine), şanzıman (gearbox), beyin (ECU, literally „brain“), direksiyon (steering), koltuk (seat), jant (wheel rim).
Step 3: Ask the right questions
A reputable dismantler will answer these without hesitation. Most communication happens on WhatsApp or by phone, so keep your questions short and send photos of your old part when possible.
- Does the OEM number match mine? Ask for a clear photo of the label.
- Which vehicle did it come from, and what mileage? This matters most for engines and gearboxes.
- Is it tested? For electronics, engines and gearboxes, ask whether it was tested before removal and whether a video is available.
- Is there any damage? Ask for photos of broken tabs, cracks, scratches or repaired areas, especially on lights and bumpers.
- Is coding needed? Many ECUs, keys and instrument clusters must be coded or matched to your car. Ask whether the seller can help or whether you need a specialist.
- What is the return or exchange policy? Get the answer in writing, even a WhatsApp message is better than nothing.
- How will it be shipped? Parcels inside Turkey usually travel by cargo companies in one to three days. Ask how large or fragile parts will be packed.
Step 4: Check condition like a mechanic
Different parts fail in different ways. Use this quick checklist when you see the part in person or review photos:
| Part type | What to check |
|---|---|
| Headlights / tail lights | Mounting tabs intact, no cracks, no moisture inside the lens, connectors undamaged |
| Body panels | No filler or repaint underneath, no rust at edges, same paint code if you want to avoid painting |
| Engines | Mileage, compression or test video, oil condition, no signs of overheating, all sensors included or listed |
| Gearboxes | Manual vs automatic, gear count, test video, no leaks at seals |
| ECUs and modules | Exact part and software number, no burnt smell or corrosion, coding requirements |
| Interior parts | Colour and material match, airbag status for steering wheels and seats |
Step 5: Pay and receive safely
- Buy from identifiable sellers. Prefer shops with a real address, a business name and a history of listings. On marketplaces, look at how long the seller has been active and how many parts they list.
- Get a written description. Make sure the agreed part number, condition and price are written down in the conversation.
- Inspect on delivery. Open the parcel in front of the courier if possible, and photograph any damage before signing.
- Keep everything. Save invoices („fatura“), messages and photos until the part is fitted and working.
Red flags: when to walk away
- The seller refuses to show the OEM label or real photos and sends catalogue images instead.
- The price is far below every other listing for the same part number.
- The seller pushes for full prepayment but will not give a business name or address.
- Answers about mileage, origin or testing change from message to message.
- „Fits all models“ claims for parts that clearly vary by year or engine.
When you should buy new instead
Used parts are not the right choice for everything. Buy new for wear and safety items: brake pads and discs, timing belts and chains, water pumps, filters, spark plugs, tyres and shock absorbers. The small saving is not worth the risk, and these parts are designed to be replaced regularly anyway. Airbags and seat-belt pretensioners should only be replaced according to manufacturer rules and by qualified technicians.
A short Turkish glossary for buyers
| Turkish | English |
|---|---|
| Çıkma parça | Used original part |
| Çıkmacı | Car dismantler / used parts dealer |
| Parça kodu / OEM numarası | Part number |
| Şasi numarası | VIN / chassis number |
| Ruhsat | Vehicle registration document |
| Sol / Sağ | Left / Right (driver’s view) |
| Ön / Arka | Front / Rear |
| Takım | Set (for example a pair of headlights) |
| Hasarsız | Undamaged |
| Fiyat sor | Price on request |
| Kargo | Shipping / courier |
| Fatura | Invoice |
Frequently asked questions
Are used auto parts legal to buy and fit in Turkey?
Yes. Buying and fitting used original parts is common and legal. For major components such as engines, keep the invoice: an engine replacement may need to be recorded on the vehicle’s registration, so check the current requirements with your local registration office or a qualified workshop before fitting.
How do I know a used part will fit my car?
Match the OEM part number first, then confirm with your VIN. If the numbers match and the seller confirms the donor vehicle’s year and engine, the risk of a wrong fit is very low.
Do used parts come with a warranty?
It depends on the seller. Many dismantlers offer a short testing or exchange period, especially for engines, gearboxes and electronics. Always ask before you pay and keep the answer in writing.
Can I buy parts if I don’t speak Turkish?
Yes. Send the OEM number, a photo of your old part and your VIN. Numbers and pictures need no translation, and the glossary above covers the words you will see most often in listings.
Is it cheaper to buy from a big city?
Not necessarily. Prices vary more by part condition and availability than by city. Searching nationwide and comparing several listings of the same part number usually gives the best result, and cargo shipping within Turkey is fast and affordable.
The bottom line
Choosing used auto parts in Turkey is one of the smartest ways to keep a car on the road without overspending, as long as you shop by part number, ask the right questions and buy from sellers you can identify. Start with the exact part code, compare several listings, insist on real photos, and keep everything in writing. Follow those four rules and a genuine used part will often serve you just as well as a new one, at a fraction of the cost.