A part number is rarely just digits. The trailing letters — -XX, -ABS,
-AND and others — are the part of the number most often ignored, and the part that
explains why the same catalogue entry appears at three different prices.
What a suffix is doing
The digits identify the component. The suffix identifies which release, channel or brand that component is being supplied through. A supplier dropping the suffix is, in effect, collapsing several distinct offerings into one price — which is why quotes that omit suffixes are hard to compare.
The suffix families we work with
| Suffix | Meaning | What it implies commercially |
|---|---|---|
| (none) | The number as originally published by the manufacturer. | Genuine Original tier. Highest price, strongest documentation. |
| -XX | A second-line or reduced-price release of the same specification. | Special Price tier. Sensible for price-driven fleet and workshop jobs. |
| Other letter codes e.g. -ABS, -AND |
An alternative supplier or brand variant for the same application. | International Brand tier. Brand-specific pricing and packaging. |
| Supply-brand codes | The original maker's own brand, sold outside the vehicle-brand channel. | OEM Brand tier. Often the best value for repeat service work. |
Because the tier is encoded in the suffix, the same part can be quoted four ways and all four can be legitimate. The full explanation of what each tier is for is in the four quality tiers.
Reading it in practice
Two examples from our own catalogue make the point:
- 1275810 — a bare number. Genuine Original release; the reference point for the part.
- 31370089- — a trailing hyphen marks a variant release of the same base number. It is the same component family, but it is not the plain-number release.
When you compare two quotes for "the same" part, the first question to ask is: which suffix is this price for? A lower number with no suffix context is not a better price — it is an uncomparable one.
Suffixes are not trim or model codes
A suffix describes the supply side of the part, not the vehicle. It does not tell you which model or trim the part fits, and it should never be used as a fitment check. Fitment comes from the base number, the vehicle's build data and — where it matters — the VIN.
If a listing shows a suffix but no fitment information you can verify, ask before ordering. We include fitment notes and cross-references on the part pages precisely so this check can be done without guessing.
Next step
Have a number you cannot read? Send it to us with any markings you can see and we will tell you which tier it is, what it cross-references to, and what it would cost. Or search it directly in the parts directory.