Motion Auto Parts is a wholesale distributor that sells to repair shops, not directly to consumers
Motion Auto Parts operates as a business-to-business wholesale supplier, meaning it sells parts to auto repair shops, dealerships, and fleet maintenance facilities rather than to individual car owners. If you need a part for your own vehicle, you cannot walk into a Motion location or order from their website as a regular customer — you need a repair shop to order it for you.
The company stocks parts for domestic and imported vehicles, including engines, transmissions, suspension components, electrical parts, and accessories. Motion has hundreds of locations across North America, and repair shops use Motion because the company offers same-day or next-day delivery at many locations, competitive wholesale pricing, and a wide range of inventory under one roof.
Key Takeaways
- Motion Auto Parts sells only to businesses like repair shops and dealerships, not to individual consumers buying parts for their own cars.
- If you need a part, your repair shop orders it from Motion on your behalf — you pay the shop, not Motion directly.
- Motion's main advantage to repair shops is fast local delivery, often same-day or next-day, which keeps repair jobs moving.
- You can find your nearest Motion location through their website, but you will need to call or visit with a shop account to purchase.
How to get a part through Motion if you are having your car repaired
When your repair shop needs a part for your vehicle, the shop's staff will contact Motion directly — either by phone, through their online ordering system, or by visiting a local Motion branch. The shop provides Motion with the part number, vehicle year and model, and quantity needed. Motion then either pulls the part from inventory or orders it from a supplier if it is not in stock.
The shop receives the part, installs it on your car, and charges you for both the part and the labor. You never interact with Motion directly; the shop handles the entire transaction. This is the normal path for any part that is not in stock at your repair facility.
If you are shopping for a part on your own and want to know whether Motion carries it, you can call your local Motion branch and describe what you need, but they will not sell to you personally. They will tell you whether the part is available and suggest that you have a repair shop contact them to place an order.
Motion's locations and how to find the one nearest you
Motion Auto Parts operates distribution centers and retail branches in most U.S. states and Canadian provinces. You can search for a location on their website by entering your zip code or city name. The search results show the address, phone number, hours, and sometimes the types of inventory that location specializes in.
If you call a Motion location, the staff can tell you whether they stock a specific part, how much it costs at wholesale, and when it will be available. However, they will ask whether you are calling on behalf of a repair shop. If you are a consumer, they may direct you to a nearby shop that they work with regularly, or they may suggest you contact a shop first and have the shop call them.
Why repair shops use Motion instead of ordering parts themselves
Repair shops choose Motion because the company offers local inventory and fast delivery. Instead of waiting days for a part to ship from a distant warehouse, a shop can often pick up a part the same day or have it delivered the next morning. This speed means the shop can complete repairs faster and keep customers satisfied.
Motion also consolidates many brands and part types in one place, so a shop does not have to call multiple suppliers for a single job. The wholesale pricing is competitive, which helps shops keep their costs down and their margins healthy. For shops in areas where Motion has a strong presence, the convenience and speed often outweigh any price difference with online retailers.
What happens if Motion does not have the part in stock
If Motion does not have a part at the local branch, the shop can special-order it through Motion's supplier network. This usually takes a few days longer than a same-day pickup, but it is still faster than a shop ordering directly from a manufacturer or distant distributor. Motion will contact the shop when the part arrives, and the shop picks it up or arranges delivery.
Some shops also maintain relationships with other distributors or manufacturers as backup suppliers. If Motion cannot get a part in a reasonable timeframe, the shop may order from another source. The shop decides which supplier to use based on price, availability, and delivery speed.
Understanding Motion's wholesale pricing model
Motion sells parts at wholesale prices, which are lower than retail prices you would pay at a parts counter or online retailer. However, wholesale pricing is not the same as consumer pricing. A repair shop buys a part at wholesale, marks it up to cover labor, overhead, and profit, and then charges you the retail price.
The markup varies by shop and by part type. Some shops mark up parts by 20 to 40 percent, while others use different formulas. When you receive an estimate from a repair shop, the parts cost on that estimate reflects the shop's retail price, not what the shop paid Motion. This is normal business practice and allows the shop to stay in operation.
Alternatives if you want to buy parts without going through a repair shop
If you want to purchase a part yourself and install it, or if you want to compare prices before taking your car to a shop, you have other options. Online retailers like RockAuto, Amazon, eBay, and manufacturer websites sell directly to consumers at retail prices. Local auto parts stores like AutoZone, O'Reilly, and NAPA also sell to the public and can often special-order parts if they are not in stock.
These retailers are set up for consumer transactions and do not require a business account. However, they typically do not offer same-day local delivery the way Motion does for shops. If you need a part urgently and want it today, a local parts store is usually faster than ordering online, but you will pay retail prices rather than wholesale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy parts from Motion as an individual customer?
No. Motion sells only to businesses with a wholesale account, such as repair shops, dealerships, and fleet operators. If you need a part, you must either have a repair shop order it for you, or purchase from a retailer that sells to consumers, such as AutoZone or RockAuto.
How fast can Motion deliver a part to a repair shop?
Many Motion locations offer same-day pickup or next-day delivery for parts in stock. If a part must be special-ordered from a supplier, delivery typically takes a few days. Speed depends on the specific location, the part, and current inventory levels.
Is Motion cheaper than buying parts online as a consumer?
Motion's wholesale prices are lower than retail, but you cannot access them as an individual. If you buy through a repair shop, the shop marks up the wholesale price to retail. If you buy from an online retailer, you pay retail directly. The total cost to you is usually similar either way.
What if my repair shop says they cannot find a part at Motion?
The shop can special-order the part through Motion's supplier network, or they can contact another distributor or the manufacturer directly. Shops typically have multiple suppliers they work with, so they can usually find any part within a few days if it exists.
Do I need to know the part number to order from Motion?
Your repair shop will determine the correct part number based on your vehicle's year, make, and model. You do not need to know it yourself. When you take your car to a shop, provide the year, make, model, and a description of what is wrong, and the shop's staff will look up the correct part.