The most sought-after spare parts in winter (and why)
Every year, when temperatures drop, many drivers begin to notice typical faults in their vehicles: slower starts, faulty lights, heating systems that don’t respond, windscreen wipers that suffer… And with this comes an increase in the search for second-hand spare parts. At Reciclajes y Metales Pérez, we see this reflected in the enquiries and requests we receive every winter, when certain parts are in particularly high demand.
In this article, we review what these spare parts are and, above all, why they are more sought after in winter. There is no superstition involved: everything has a mechanical, electrical or climatic explanation.
Batteries: the most sought-after replacement part in winter
Batteries top the list every year because cold weather directly affects their performance. Low temperatures reduce the capacity of lead-acid batteries and increase their internal resistance, making it harder for them to deliver power. Add to this the fact that cars consume more electricity in winter—lights on for longer hours, heated windows, fans, heating—and any weakened battery will eventually fail. Reports from RACE and RACC confirm this: battery problems are by far the most common in winter.
Alternators and starter motors
When a battery starts to fail, these two systems often suffer as well. The alternator works harder than it should trying to keep a battery that has lost performance charged, and the starter motor suffers because it needs more effort to turn the engine over when cold. The humidity typical of the season does not help either, as it can affect connections and contacts, accelerating faults that did not show any signs in summer.
Heating and ventilation: the litmus test on the first cold day
After months without using the heating, winter reveals any hidden problems. It is common for fan motors to seize up due to inactivity, heating elements to fail when reactivated, or dampers to malfunction due to moisture build-up. These are not serious faults, but they are very typical at this time of year, and explain why there is an increase in searches for spare parts related to air conditioning systems.
Headlights, tail lights and lighting modules
In winter there are fewer hours of natural light, so headlights and tail lights work harder than ever. This increases wear and tear on bulbs and modules and exposes the electrical system to humidity, rain and fog, which accelerate failure. In addition, the reduced visibility typical of winter causes minor bumps and breakages that require lighting parts to be replaced more frequently.
Windscreen wipers and system motors
Rain, cold and dirt in winter mean that the windscreen wiper system goes from occasional to intensive use. This means motors working longer, rubber blades hardened by low temperatures and water pumps that can become clogged or fail. It is one of the most in-demand spare parts of the season because, without a good windscreen wiper, driving can become dangerous.
Radiators and cooling system
The cold causes metals, hoses and gaskets to contract. If there was already wear and tear, winter can cause leaks or small cracks to appear. It is also common for the thermostat to fail when subjected to greater stress to maintain the optimum engine temperature. That is why radiators, hoses and cooling system components appear more frequently on winter spare parts lists.
A safer winter with recovered spare parts
All these breakdowns have a mechanical or thermal explanation, which is why they recur year after year at the same time. Choosing recovered spare parts is an effective way to deal with these repairs without incurring high costs, using original parts and contributing to the efficient use of resources.
At Reciclajes y Metales Pérez, we have an extensive and constantly changing catalogue of reconditioned used spare parts. If you need to replace a part this winter or want to check availability, you can visit us (Carrer Gremi de Sabaters, 62, Palma) or call us (673 417 808); we will be happy to help you find the right spare part for your vehicle.
