Napa - Auto Zone - Advanced Auto

[Drahcir495]

Is there any quality difference in the parts at these places? Just always wanted to ask. 

[neohic]

Not sure about the house brand parts quality, but in my area there’s definitely a difference in the quality of the employee. If I know exactly what I need down to the part number, then I go to AutoZone. If I’m looking to flip through a dusty, old binder looking for dimensions, then I go to Napa. AutoZone is very “year, make, model, drivetrain, exterior/interior color, so-on and so-on” while Napa is willing to help me figure out a solution. 

[The86manche]

I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I've had very mixed experiences with all but Napa.

(I haven't shopped at a Napa in a long time)

Autozones parts are a mixed bag, quality control isn't great. I bought a power steering pump for one of my zjs a few years back, discovering they had switched up who their reman company was, put the new pump in and it didnt want to bleed properly and after going lock to lock a few times the pump literally blew up the steering box and then it died immediately. Couldn't get a new one for a few days so I just got a used one instead.

Advance auto I've run into issues with electrical parts. They have a policy that if you open, or install electrical parts they can exhange but REFUSE to return them. So you have to be super careful about that. 

[75sv1]

I think most have a No Return on electrical. I like NAPA best. AutoZone least. NAPA has gone down to the other's level in the past 10 to 15 years. Advanced and Orielly's  over AutoZone. Also, We have a Federated. They do carry the brand names. Gates, Clevite etc. Pep Boys is around. Haven't been in one in Years though. 

[89eliminator]

10 hours ago, neohic said:

Not sure about the house brand parts quality, but in my area there’s definitely a difference in the quality of the employee. If I know exactly what I need down to the part number, then I go to AutoZone. If I’m looking to flip through a dusty, old binder looking for dimensions, then I go to Napa. AutoZone is very “year, make, model, drivetrain, exterior/interior color, so-on and so-on” while Napa is willing to help me figure out a solution. 

 

I agree with the Napa opinion.  I've yet to encounter a napa associate that isn't willing to help or is fairly knowledgeable.  Anywhere else is the same year/make/model questions.  

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

I prefer Napa as well, the folks at my local Napa are great.  There is a catch though.  For the case where the exact part is sold by Napa and Autozone, Napa is more expensive and in some cases a lot more expensive .  No Advanced Auto close enough for this comparison.  Then of course, there's always Rock Auto when you are not in a hurry....

[derf]

Having moved around a lot, I've found that the quality of the employees varies widely between stores.  Some places AutoZone has the good old graybeards.  Sometimes it O'Riley.  And it can change as people come and go.

 

Most of the time I research the part I want and find a good vehicle to respond with when they ask make/model/trim.  It's just easier to do that than explain to them what you're doing.

 

Though sometimes you can get to know the staff and they know you know what you're doing and just go grab the part you ask for.

 

What irritates me is the "expert" employee who offers really low quality advice based on a lack of real understanding but they're at the peak of the Dunning-Kruger slope.

[Htchevyii]

In my experience Auto Zone is always the worst, part quality and employee quality. NAPA used to be the best, but now seems to offer the same inferior parts as everyone else, but at a higher cost. Our local store can't find good employees because they pay less than fast food.  Most of the chains can be hit or miss. I'm lucky that I deal with the commercial sales people at work, they are usually higher paid and more experienced that the part time newbies that many times are at the front counter. If I have to buy a part over the retail counter, I figure out what I need before I go.

[89 MJ]

In WI, there is only one person at one parts store who I trust to look anything up. Usually I find the part that I need online and will call the parts store with the part number if I need the part soon, otherwise I just order it off of rock auto. 

[eaglescout526]

Autozone is garbage. 
Advanced auto is ok

Napa was good when I was restoring my MJ

Oreillys is a hit or miss. Mostly miss. 

[75sv1]

There are some Car Quest still around. I think 5 to 9 in Indiana. Used to be at NAPA level of years ago. As any depends on who's behind the counter. Also, what brands they carry. 

[JZLAJeep]

Son started working at O'Reilly's a few months ago so we've leaned full into that one. His employee discount is VERY nice. The discount varies by part, but is usually around 40% off. With the employee discount the prices are similar to Amazon or Rock Auto, where we were previously buying our parts. Finding parts in stock is now the challenge. Sometimes it's still faster and easier to buy online. Prior to his job at O'Reilly's we would tend toward NAPA.

[Car Enthusiast]

1 Napa

2 O'reillys

3 Advanced

4 Autozone

 

Napa is my go to, now if I get caught needing something after hours or on the weekend I will go to O'reillys, and the other two if O'reillys doesn't have it. I will go to advanced if I need something non mechanical related like fluids, brake cleaner, or wax just because it is the closest to me.

[Spinnakerblue89]

At least for me, I can find more obscure parts through NAPA, O Reilly tends to have some of the actual OEM stuff (like Mopar, Motorcraft, Delco), and Advance Auto has the better rewards program. But at AutoZone, all you get is in the zone.

[pizzaman09]

I like NAPA but their hours are worse than bankers hours, like 7AM to noon.  I go to NAPA for things like O-rings.

 

Typically I goto Advance as they have the best selection of old BMW parts, honestly they have more on the shelf than my local dealer.  If I want name brand parts like Gates belts and hoses, I goto the Auto Value.  I also like O'Riley for name brand stuff like Wix filters.  I only goto AutoZone if their online inventory suggests they have something the other stores don't have.  Mostly it's because AutoZone is the farthest drive downtown and I don't like going there.

[Drahcir495]

Did not know that Orieys has wix filters. I always use the Napa gold filters,  because I believe they are made by Wix - so I’ve heard. Seems the majority say it’s who is behind the counter. 

[eaglescout526]

Speaking of WIX, our local AMC restoration shop has issued a warning to using WIX filters. Apparently they are now being made without pressure relief valves. I forgot what the owner said exactly but they found that one out the hard way with a 401 they rebuilt. 

[derf]

2 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

Speaking of WIX, our local AMC restoration shop has issued a warning to using WIX filters. Apparently they are now being made without pressure relief valves. I forgot what the owner said exactly but they found that one out the hard way with a 401 they rebuilt. 

You must mean drain back valve.  The pressure relief valve is built into the pump housing on the AMC V8.

[eaglescout526]

55 minutes ago, derf said:

You must mean drain back valve.  The pressure relief valve is built into the pump housing on the AMC V8.

Yes that valve. Thank you. 

[75sv1]

On 7/18/2025 at 4:58 PM, Drahcir495 said:

Did not know that Orieys has wix filters. I always use the Napa gold filters,  because I believe they are made by Wix - so I’ve heard. Seems the majority say it’s who is behind the counter. 

NAPA changed suppliers (I think) on the NAPA Gold filters. I bought one for my Avalanche. It had a red seal. Well, I ended up with about 4 quarts of oil on my driveway. I am using a WIX Filter from Part Store or Federated. I'll try a NAPA Platinum when I switch to synthetics. 

     Also, I worked with a guy who owned Toyota trucks. He only used Toyota oil filter.  Said he could hear the difference in ones that used Toyota filter or others. Something about their drain back valve. 

    I wish Hard Driver still made oil filters. 

[coolwind57]

There's a store chain here in N. Kentucky that I'd never heard of when I lived in S. Indiana two years ago.  KOI Auto Parts.  They're kind of set up like NAPA, with a counter and older fellas that seem to know what's up.  I did have some luck finding a difficult part there once.  And they sell KROIL penetrating oil on their counter!  Hadn't seen that before.  Good stuff if you're not familiar with it.  I never need to buy it myself because we use in a lot in aviation at my work, so I have a free source!  

[75sv1]

The NAPA by me has carried KROIL products and others. Auto Value is another one by me.