Action on Parts – Quality Assurance and the HCVA

For most of us, the decision on which parts to buy for our classics is dependant on a few key factors, not least of which is cost. Yes, we would all love to be able to fit the best quality, OEM parts to whichever pride and joy has decided to have a sudden bout of capriciousness this week, throwing its metaphorical toys out of the passenger window, but realistically, in a lot of cases, the prices of said parts can be prohibitively expensive. Now we’re not suggesting that you start making your own brake discs out of tin foil to save a few pennies but when it comes to after market bits and bobs sometimes it is necessary to choose the less expensive option, but how can guarantee their quality?

The eternal problem for us as classic vehicle enthusiasts is the whole ‘you get what you pay for’ idiom. How can we be sure that the parts we are installing on to our classic cars and bikes are a) going to work properly and b) going to last? Well, that’s where the HCVA and its new Action on Parts initiative comes in.

Established in 2021, the Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance is a not-for-profit trade organisation founded to represent the collective voice of small and medium sized enterprises within the historic and classic vehicle sector, supported by individual owners and enthusiasts, including us here at Car & Classic. The HCVA is collecting information from its professional members about the quality of classic vehicle parts used in the restoration and maintenance of classic cars and bikes in a bid to improve the landscape of parts supply, not only for the benefit of us as classic enthusiasts, but also for the companies that supply and install said parts. The programme exists to utilise this data to initiate constructive dialogue between all parties to investigate feasible improvements, whether that be a minor redesign or perhaps a change of materials, for example.

Nobody sets out to deliberately supply substandard parts but things can and do go wrong. If a component fitted by a restorer or maintainer doesn’t fit properly or fails prematurely, the resulting work to rectify the issue can impose snowballing costs way beyond the dollar value of the part that failed. There’s also the consequential and associated reputational harm and customer dissatisfaction that comes along for the ride. HCVA Executive Director Guy Lachlan told us: “Action on Parts will help to address areas where perhaps five or ten pounds extra cost on a part can save tens or hundreds of hours in unnecessary warranty work down the line. It really is a win/win/win for manufacturers, installers and enthusiasts.”

With so many members the HCVA has access to a large and varied data pool, from individual tinkerers to larger, professional organisations. Julian Barratt, for example, of leading Jaguar parts supplier SNG Barratt Ltd, welcomes the initiative, saying: “The HCVA’s Action on Parts program will help us to identify product improvement opportunities with feedback from expert installers, get feedback on our proposals, and take action where mutually appropriate. It’s an important step, and one in which the HCVA can play an important facilitative role.”

Don’t get us wrong, this isn’t a witch hunt. Far from it. Cases are discussed in a non-confrontational, round-table format involving all parties and it’s a positive step in an important journey for all of us involved in this industry, whatever the level. It’s simply another way in which the HCVA is seeking to improve and promote this wonderful community through collaboration, transparency, and proactive lobbying, and we’re here for it.