If you own a classic car, you already know that breakdowns don't give advance notice. The parts below are the ones most likely to leave you stranded or cause ongoing problems — and most of them are cheap enough to keep a spare of on the shelf.
Spark plugs
Old plugs foul, gap-out, or simply fail. Keep a matched set for your engine and a plug gap tool. A misfiring cylinder on a country road is no fun — a spare set in the boot has saved many a journey.
Oil filter
Change it every time you change the oil, without exception. Contaminated oil circulates through your bearings. It's a cheap part that protects very expensive ones.
Fuel filter
Old fuel tanks accumulate sediment over the years. A blocked fuel filter causes rough running, poor starting, and eventual starvation. Keep a spare and replace it regularly — especially after the car has sat unused.
Points and condenser (if applicable)
If your car runs a traditional distributor, points and a condenser are essential spares. They're inexpensive, easy to swap roadside, and will get you home when a modern ignition module would leave you calling for a tow.
Brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point and causes corrosion inside the system. Keep a fresh sealed bottle and bleed the system on schedule.
Coolant hoses
Rubber hoses harden and crack with age. Inspect them regularly — squeeze them to check for brittleness — and keep at least the main top and bottom hoses as spares. A blown hose in traffic is a straightforward roadside fix if you're prepared.
Belts
Fan belt, alternator belt, or timing belt depending on your engine — check the service schedule and replace before they fail, not after. A snapped timing belt on an interference engine causes serious damage.
Fuses
Keep a full set of the correct fuse ratings for your car. Electrical gremlins are common on older vehicles, and a blown fuse is often the first thing to check. Carries no weight, costs almost nothing.
Thermostat
A stuck-closed thermostat causes overheating. A stuck-open thermostat means the engine never reaches operating temperature, which affects performance and fuel consumption. They're inexpensive and a common failure point on older cooling systems.
Interior trim clips and fasteners
Plastic clips and trim fasteners are the first things to break during any interior work — and they're often no longer available from main dealers. We stock reproduction clips and fasteners for a wide range of classic marques. If yours are missing or broken, send us the details.