Virtual garage Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 is not only an opportunity to feel like a real auto mechanic, but also a real challenge for those who want to optimize every aspect of their business. One of the key skills that determines the speed of the game and the profitability of your car service is ability to quickly and profitably purchase spare parts. After all, every hour spent searching for the right part is lost profit from repairing or selling the car.

Many beginners are faced with a problem: either the required part is not available at the flea market, or the prices in the online store are steep, or they have to waste time traveling around the city. Meanwhile, experienced players know: in CMS 2018 there are several ways to purchase spare parts, each of which has its own pros and cons. The main thing is to understand when and what method to use. In this guide, we will analyze all the available options, talk about the hidden mechanics of the game and share life hacks that will save your time and money.

Have you already tried all the ways to purchase parts in the game? Or do you prefer one proven method?

📊 Which method of purchasing parts do you use most often?
Flea market
Online store
Auction
Warehouse
Other

1. Flea market: cheap, but not always fast

Flea market (Junkyard) is the first place newbies go to buy spare parts. And for good reason: here you can find parts at the lowest prices in the game. However, this method has several significant disadvantages.

Firstly, The assortment at the flea market is updated randomly every game day. This means that the part you need may simply not be available. Secondly, even if the part exists, its condition often leaves much to be desired - worn parts will have to be restored, which requires additional time and resources. Finally, a trip to the flea market takes 1 hour of game time, which is not always justified.

However, the flea market is ideal for:

  • 🔧 Shopping cheap consumables (filters, spark plugs, belts)
  • 🚗 Search rare parts for older machines (eg Dodge Challenger 1970)
  • 💰 Savings at the initial stages of the game when the budget is limited

Professional advice: if you urgently need a part, but it is not at the flea market, try it save game, exit to the main menu and load the save again. Sometimes this resets the store's assortment.

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If you are looking for a specific item at a flea market, pay attention to the color of its icon: green - new, yellow - average wear, red - very worn. Red parts are often cheaper, but rebuilding them will cost more than buying new.

2. Online store: reliable, but expensive

Online store (Shop) is the most reliable way to purchase spare parts in Car Mechanic Simulator 2018. Always available here new parts any type, and delivery takes only 30 minutes of game time. However, you have to pay for convenience: prices in the online store for 20-50% higher than at a flea market or auction.

The main advantages of an online store:

  • ⏱️ Instant access to any item (no need to wait for assortment updates)
  • 🔄 Possibility to order several parts at once (saving time on travel)
  • 📦 Quality guarantee - all parts are new and do not require restoration

Cons:

  • 💸 High price (especially for rare parts for premium cars)
  • 📉 No opportunity to bargain or find a good deal

The online store is ideal for urgent orders, when repair time is limited, or when you need unique details, which are not at the flea market. For example, spare parts for Bugatti Veyron or Lamborghini Aventador almost never appear at a flea market and are easier to order online.

How to reduce the cost of shopping in an online store?

If you play on the "Realistic" difficulty, prices in the online store can be reduced by improving the skill Procurement in the skill tree. Each skill level gives a discount 5%, which in total can reduce costs for 25%!

3. Auction: where luck meets profit

Auction (Auction) - this is the most exciting way to buy parts in CMS 2018. Here you can find both heavily worn parts at bargain prices, and rare parts with a minimal markup. The main thing is to be able to analyze lots and not overpay.

How the auction works:

  1. Each lot has starting price and timer (from 1 to 24 hours).
  2. You can place a bid or buy the part immediately at the price "Buy now".
  3. If no one outbids you before the end of the timer, the item is yours.

Strategies for successful auction purchases:

  • 🕒 Bet on lots with little time until the end - this way there is less chance of being interrupted.
  • 🔍 Follow the lots with rare details (for example, for Porsche 911 GT3), even if they are worn out, they can be restored.
  • 💰 Do not overpay for the “Buy it now” bid - often the final price of the lot is lower.

Warning: It's easy to get carried away at an auction and spend your entire budget on unnecessary items. Always check whether you really need a particular part before placing a bid.

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Auction is the best place to buy rare parts and sets of spare parts (for example, a complete set of brake systems). You can find them here cheaper than in an online store.

4. Warehouse: your personal reserve of spare parts

Warehouse (Warehouse) is your personal storage of parts, which opens after purchasing the corresponding building. Here you can store spare parts purchased in advance so as not to waste time searching for them during repairs.

Warehouse advantages:

  • ⏳ Time saving - no need to travel for parts during repairs.
  • 📈 The ability to purchase parts in bulk when they are cheap (for example, during discounts in an online store).
  • 🔧 Convenient sorting - parts can be sorted into categories (engine, transmission, body, etc.).

How to effectively manage a warehouse:

  1. Buy consumables (oils, filters, candles) in reserve - they will always come in handy.
  2. Store rare parts for premium cars, so as not to look for them urgently.
  3. Check your warehouse regularly for availability outdated parts (for example, for cars that you no longer repair).

Important: The warehouse has limited capacity. If it's full, you won't be able to buy new parts until you free up space. Therefore, you should not buy everything in a row - keep in stock only what is really necessary.

Stocking oils and filters for 10-15 repairs|

Spare pads and brake discs|

Parts for the top 2-3 models in your garage|

Rare spare parts for premium cars (if you repair them often) -->

5. Procurement optimization: how to save time and money

To speed up the parts purchasing process as quickly as possible and reduce costs, use a combination of all available methods. Here are some proven strategies:

1. Plan your purchases in advance

Before you start repairing your car, check what parts you will need and make a list. This will help you avoid unnecessary trips to a flea market or online store. Use the function Preliminary inspection (Pre-Inspection) to find out which parts are worn out before starting repairs.

2. Combine sources

Don't limit yourself to just one way to buy. For example:

  • 🛒 Take cheap consumables to flea market.
  • 💻 Order rare parts from online store.
  • 🏆 Look for unique spare parts on auction.

3. Improve your skills

In the skill tree (Skill Tree) there are several skills that directly affect the cost and speed of purchasing parts:

Skill Effect Max. level
Procurement Reduces prices in the online store for 5% per level 5
Negotiations Allows you to bargain at a flea market (discount up to 15%) 3
Logistics Speeds up delivery from an online store to 10% per level 4
Auction expert Shows the real cost of lots at auction 1

4. Use mods (if you play on PC)

If you are playing Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 on a PC, you can install mods that simplify the process of purchasing parts. For example:

  • Instant Delivery Mod — removes delivery time from the online store.
  • Junkyard Stock Modifier — increases the assortment of the flea market.
  • Warehouse Upgrade — expands warehouse capacity.

However, remember that using mods can upset the balance of the game and reduce the enjoyment of the game. It's better to try playing without them first.

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If you urgently need a part, but it is not at a flea market or auction, try reload the game. Sometimes this resets the assortment of stores, and the required spare part appears.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced players sometimes make mistakes when purchasing parts that lead to loss of time or money. Here are the most common of them:

1. Buying parts “in reserve” without a system

Many players buy everything, hoping that it will be useful in the future. As a result, the warehouse is filled with unnecessary parts, and when something specific is needed, it is not there. Solution: Keep a list of the parts you really use often and only buy them.

2. Ignoring the condition of parts at a flea market

Purchasing heavily worn parts may result in additional costs for their restoration. For example, worn turbocharger may require 3-4 hours of work on the machine, which negates the savings from the purchase. Solution: Always check the condition of the item before purchasing.

3. Overpayment at auction

Excitement can force you to overpay for an item that ultimately turns out to be unprofitable. For example, worn out V8 engine may go for 5000$, although its restoration will cost another 3000$, and a new one in the online store costs 6000$. Solution: Always calculate the final cost of the part taking into account restoration.

4. Inefficient use of warehouse

Storing parts in a warehouse that can be easily and cheaply purchased at any time (for example, oil filters), takes up space that could be used for truly rare spare parts. Solution: Regularly audit your warehouse and get rid of unnecessary items.

⚠️ Attention: If you play on a high difficulty level, parts prices may be inflated and shipping times may be increased. In this case, it is especially important to plan purchases in advance and not rely on one source.

7. Secret mechanics: what is not obvious at first glance

Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 hides several mechanics that can greatly simplify the process of buying parts. Here are some of them:

1. The time of day affects the assortment of the flea market

Many players do not know that the flea market assortment is updated not only every game day, but also depending on the time of day. For example, in the morning (8:00 - 12:00) details appear more often for European cars, and in the evening (16:00 - 20:00) - for American and Japanese. This is not a guarantee, but the trend is visible.

2. Auction prices depend on the day of the week

On weekends (Saturday and Sunday) more lots with rare parts appear at the auction, but the competition among players is higher. On weekdays prices are usually lower, but the range is more modest. If you need a rare item, it is better to monitor the auction on the weekend.

3. Discounts in the online store

Sometimes the online store offers discounts on certain categories of parts (for example, -20% on brake systems). These discounts are valid for a limited time (24 game hours), so it’s worth using them to purchase the necessary parts in reserve.

4. “Hidden” details at a flea market

Sometimes you can find it at a flea market unique details, which do not appear in the main list. For example, if you click on a car in the background, you can find rare spare parts in its trunk or interior. This doesn't always work, but it's worth a try if you need the part urgently.

⚠️ Attention: if you play Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 On consoles, some mechanics (such as mods or quick reloads to reset inventory) may not work or work differently. Please take this into account when planning your purchases.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

How to quickly find the right part at a flea market?

Use the search function (Ctrl + F on the PC or filter in the interface). If the part is not in the list, try restarting the game - sometimes this resets the inventory. Also pay attention to detail icon color: green indicates new condition, red indicates severe wear.

Is it worth buying worn parts at auction?

It depends on the degree of wear and cost of restoration. For example, if worn out engine worth it 2000$, and its restoration will cost 1000$, then the final price (3000$) may be more profitable than buying a new one for 5000$. Always compare prices and consider the time it will take to repair the part.

How to increase warehouse capacity?

Warehouse capacity can be increased by purchasing an upgrade in the menu Business → Warehouse. Each upgrade adds additional slots for storing parts. You can also use mods (on PC) that expand the warehouse to an unlimited number of slots.

What to do if the required part is not available anywhere?

Here are some options:

  1. Wait 24 game hours — the assortment of stores is updated every day.
  2. Try to find a part at an auction, even if it is worn out - it can be restored.
  3. If you're playing on PC, use console commands to add details (eg. additem [part ID]).
  4. Skip repairing this car and get another one that has all the parts you need.
What is the most profitable way to purchase parts?

The most profitable method depends on the situation:

  • For consumables (oils, filters) — flea market.
  • For rare parts — auction or online store (if urgent).
  • For premium parts (for example, for Ferrari or Lamborghini) — online store (they appear there more often).

The optimal strategy is to combine all methods and purchase parts in reserve when they are cheap.