When a buyer sends us a message that reads "brake pads for a 2016 XC60", the first thing we do is turn it into a part number. Vehicle descriptions are ambiguous — trim, engine and market variants all change the correct part. A part number is not.
This is the routine we use, and the one you can use yourself before sending an enquiry.
What an OE number actually is
An OE number (original equipment number) is the identifier the vehicle manufacturer assigns to a component. It is printed on the part, stamped on a label, or listed in the parts catalogue for that model. Every reputable supplier — genuine, international brand or OEM brand — cross-references their product back to these numbers.
Two things follow from that, and both matter commercially:
- The same physical part can carry different OE numbers in different markets. This is why interchangeable numbers exist, and why a part can look "wrong" while being correct.
- Suppliers who do not publish cross-references are asking you to trust a description. We publish the number instead.
Where to find your OE number
- On the old part. Most components carry a moulded or laser-etched number. Clean the surface first — dust hides digits, and an 8 read as a 3 costs a return.
- On the vehicle's data plate or sticker. Doors, engine bay and boot floor often carry a build sticker listing key numbers.
- On service paperwork. Dealer and workshop invoices usually quote the part number directly.
- From the VIN. A dealer or a parts catalogue can decode the VIN to the exact build specification, which resolves most ambiguity.
The four-step lookup routine
- Write the number down exactly, including any letter suffix. Suffixes are not decoration — they identify the release or brand variant, as explained in our suffix guide.
- Search the catalogue by that number. Our parts directory indexes every listing by part number, so the fastest route is to paste the number into the search box.
- Check the cross-references on the listing. Where we hold interchangeable numbers, they
are shown on the part page. A part listed as
A=Bmeans either number identifies the same component. - Confirm fitment against your vehicle before ordering — model, year, engine code and, where the part is safety-critical, the VIN.
When you do not have the OE number
This is common, and it is not a blocker. In order of reliability, give us:
- VIN — the single most useful piece of information. Seventeen characters resolve trim, engine and market variant together.
- A photo of the old part — including any markings on it. Our team reads numbers off photographs routinely.
- Vehicle details — brand, model, year, engine, and left/right or front/rear position.
Send any of these and we will come back with the matched part number and the quality tiers available, rather than a guess.
Interchangeable and superseded numbers
Manufacturers revise parts. A number can be superseded by a newer one, or two numbers can be released for the same application in different markets. Treating these as different parts produces duplicate stock and missed matches.
We record interchangeable numbers against our listings, so searching either number reaches the same part. It is worth asking explicitly when you are stocking a fast-moving item: "is there a superseding number for this?" is a question that saves money at the shelf.
Next step
Paste your part list into the catalogue search, or send it to us directly and we will match it against OE references and reply with availability, quality tiers and freight.