AutoZone is one of the leading retailers of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories in the United States, known for its extensive inventory, helpful staff, and convenient services. However, it‘s not the only game in town when it comes to finding quality car care products at reasonable prices. If you‘re curious about what other options are out there, you‘ve come to the right place.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll take an in-depth look at the top 10 stores like AutoZone. For each company, we‘ll provide an overview of their history, the products and services they offer, pricing, and what sets them apart from competitors. We‘ll also discuss some key considerations for DIY mechanics and professional technicians when deciding where to shop for auto parts.
Whether you‘re looking for basic maintenance items like oil filters and spark plugs, performance upgrades for your car or truck, or hard-to-find components for a classic vehicle restoration, these AutoZone alternatives have you covered. Let‘s dive in and explore the best stores like AutoZone in detail.
1. Advance Auto Parts
Founded in 1932, Advance Auto Parts is one of the largest automotive aftermarket parts providers in North America. They operate nearly 4,500 stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, making it highly likely that you have one nearby.
Advance Auto Parts offers a wide selection of parts and accessories for domestic and foreign vehicles. Their product lineup includes major brands like Bosch, Castrol, Gates, and Wix, along with their high-quality DieHard exclusive brand of batteries. Prices are very competitive with AutoZone and other big retailers.
One standout aspect of Advance Auto Parts is their industry-leading availability of parts. In a 2019 study by Parts Authority, they had the highest percentage of parts in stock compared to the leading aftermarket parts stores. Their website also boasts a vast inventory of over 1 million products.
In addition to parts, Advance Auto Parts offers various free services at most locations. These include wiper blade installation, battery testing and installation, engine diagnostic testing, and "loaner" tools. Their Speedperks rewards program gives members points for every purchase that can be redeemed for discounts. They also provide access to repair help from certified expert technicians.
2. O‘Reilly Auto Parts
O‘Reilly Automotive, Inc. is another major player in the retail and wholesale auto parts industry. They were founded in 1957 and have since grown to over 5,600 stores across 47 U.S. states and 27 stores in Mexico.
Like Advance, O‘Reilly offers a robust selection of aftermarket parts, tools, equipment, and accessories. Their proprietary brands include BrakeBest brake pads and shoes, Super Start batteries, and Micro-Gard filters. Pricing is similar to other big box auto parts retailers.
One unique offering by O‘Reilly is their First Call Online program for commercial customers like professional mechanics and repair shops. This lets business customers check inventory and place orders through a dedicated web portal. They also offer buy online, pick up in store for all customers.
O‘Reilly is well-known for their in-store service and highly knowledgeable staff. Their parts professionals undergo extensive training and many stores are staffed with ASE-certified technicians. Walk-in customers can get assistance with everything from looking up parts to testing starters and alternators.
3. NAPA Auto Parts
The National Automotive Parts Association, better known as NAPA Auto Parts, was founded way back in 1925. With nearly a century in business, they‘ve built up a network of over 6,000 stores and 57 distribution centers across the U.S.
NAPA is the place to go for premium-quality aftermarket parts, especially for domestic vehicles. Their proprietary brands are considered some of the best in the industry, such as NAPA Legend batteries, NAPA ProSelect brake pads, and NAPA Gold filters. They offer some higher-end parts that can‘t be found at most mass retailers.
While NAPA does serve the DIY market, they tend to be a bit more focused on sales to professional installers and repair facilities. Many of their locations are independently owned by knowledgeable local operators. Prices at NAPA tend to be a bit higher than AutoZone due to the positioning of their products.
NAPA is heavily involved in the racing industry, with their products being used in everything from local dirt tracks to NASCAR. Many stores offer machine shop services to custom-fabricate parts. They are also known for their extensive selection of heavy-duty truck parts.
4. CarQuest Auto Parts
CarQuest Auto Parts is a leading automotive distributor originally founded in 1974 as part of General Parts, Inc. They joined the Advance Auto Parts family of brands in 2014, but still operate under the CarQuest name through approximately 1,680 locations across the U.S and Canada.
CarQuest offers the usual array of aftermarket maintenance and repair parts, with an emphasis on import vehicles. Their proprietary brands include Rayloc for chassis components, Wearever for brake parts, and ToughOne for steering and suspension. Price-wise, they‘re comparable to Advance Auto Parts.
One unique thing about CarQuest is their strong presence in Canada, operating over 500 stores across the country. They are also known for their dedication to training, with e-learning courses and instructor-led classes available for professional customers.
5. AutoZone
No list of auto parts stores would be complete without mentioning the namesake, AutoZone. Founded in 1979, they have grown to be the largest retailer of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories in the United States with over 6,400 stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil.
AutoZone is best known for their extensive selection of parts and helpful staff. In any given store, you‘ll find thousands of in-stock parts from trusted brands like Mobil 1, Valvoline, Fram, and Meguiar‘s. Their Duralast brand delivers OE or better performance at more affordable prices.
In addition to parts, most AutoZone locations offer a variety of free services. These include check engine light scans, battery testing and charging, oil recycling, and more. Their website has a wealth of resources like repair guides, part guides, and how-to videos. Prices at AutoZone are competitive, especially factoring in their Rewards program.
AutoZone is heavily focused on serving the DIY customer and making auto repair accessible to the average vehicle owner. Their staff are trained to provide trustworthy advice, and their stores are designed for an easy shopping experience.
Other Stores to Consider
The stores above are some of the biggest national chains for aftermarket auto parts, but there are many other great options to consider depending on your location, vehicle, and needs:
- Pep Boys – Known for their wide selection of tires and auto service centers.
- Lordco Parts – A major automotive parts distributor and retailer in Western Canada.
- The Parts House (TPH) – Regional parts store and warehouse with 200 locations in the Southeast U.S.
- Fisher Auto Parts – Network of 500 locations along the East Coast and in the Midwest.
- Auto Value – Umbrella cooperative of over 3,800 independently owned parts stores.
- Bumper to Bumper – Part of the Canadian Automotive Group, similar to NAPA in the U.S.
- RockAuto – Popular online source for a huge variety of auto parts at low prices.
Choosing the Right Auto Parts Store
With all these options available, you may be wondering how to decide which auto parts store to give your business to. Here are a few key factors to consider:
Price
For many people, price is one of the top priorities when shopping for auto parts. Luckily, most of the major retailers like AutoZone, Advance, and O‘Reilly are very price-competitive with each other. It can pay to compare prices between a few stores, especially on more expensive items. Also take advantage of coupons, sales, and rewards programs to maximize your savings.
Selection
Having a huge variety of compatible parts to choose from is important to ensure you can get exactly what you need for your vehicle. Again, the bigger national chains will usually have the best selection both in-store and online. For harder to find parts, it may be worth checking specialist retailers or your local independent store.
Quality
Not all aftermarket parts are created equal, so it‘s important to choose a store that carries high-quality, reliable components, especially for critical systems like brakes and suspension. Stores like NAPA and O‘Reilly tend to carry slightly better, premium parts compared to lower-cost options at some retailers.
Staff Expertise
For many DIYers, being able to consult with a knowledgeable parts specialist is a huge help, especially when it comes to more complex repairs. Stores like AutoZone and O‘Reilly are known for their helpful, well-trained staff that can point you in the right direction and make sure you get the correct parts.
Convenience
The proximity of the store to you, their hours of operation, and ease of ordering parts online for in-store pickup are all important considerations in terms of convenience. Look for a retailer with a wide network of locations and flexible shopping options to make your life easier.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to finding the best place to shop for auto parts, there‘s no one-size-fits-all answer. The good news is you have plenty of fantastic options to choose from, whether you decide to go with a major national retailer like AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts, or a smaller regional chain.
The most important thing is to find a store you can count on for quality parts, helpful service, and fair prices to help keep your vehicle running right. Hopefully this guide has given you a head start in finding your go-to source for all your automotive needs. Happy wrenching!
