Yeh, car parts can be expensive but I gotta say Daihatsu are just gouging the average punter frankly. In addition to paying top price there is a wait for even the most basic item to be hand-made in Japan and then flown out. For me, paying top prices means having the bit the same day - thats why it's a top price.

My recent experience of oxygen sensors and brakes has really raised the issue with me. Of course the after-market shortage for my particular 1.5 SX Sirion is even more acute and there isn't much can be done about that. I did take exception though at being told by a dealer that a hundred pounds would get me a set of brake pads but I would have to wait for them from Japan. Excuse me! We are talking brake pads here so why do I have to wait? I didn't take them up on their offer.

In my endeavour to overcome the high prices and ludicrous wait times from dealers I did some serious looking around and solved my parts issues at much less cost with next day delivery. I did my research on-line and along the way I discovered a company called Blue Print. Unfortunately as "normal" people we can't access their parts catalogues on line so you have to have the motor factor guys to do it.

To be honest I did not get anything from Blue Print because I solved my parts issues before I discovered them so I can't say how good they are. They certainly seem like a good place to start though. They have a website. I did also talk to a motor factor guy and he reckons they are good bet for Japanese car bits.

Incidentally if anyone needs any advice on after-market front brake pads/discs or oxygen sensors for a 1.5 Sirion let me know and I will happily share my knowledge and you can hopefully save yourself some grief.

Anyway I hope this helps someone.

So there we have it.