Partsmart Q & A

What parts can members buy?

The MOC’s main aim is to supply only its members with all parts for the KR200 that are subject to wear. Some rarely needed body panels are missing from the range but, if required it is usually possible for you to commission these rare parts from specialist manufacturers. A limited range of ‘wear parts’ is also stocked for the very rare KR175 and TG500 models.

The parts that are available are listed in Kabinews and are also shown in the Partsmart pages of the Club’s website (www.messerschmitt.co.uk). The Partsmart pages of the MOC website also contains information and photos of parts and incorporates a search facility to help you find the part that you are looking for.

Parts manuals are also available from our Partsmart service in original factory format booklets. They are reasonably priced and useful to have as a reference, particularly during restoration work.

Whilst we try to keep pricing and availability information up to date this is not always possible.

There will be occasions when we are temporarily unable to supply some parts. This can happen when we run out of stock and have been unable to restock quickly enough. Members need to appreciate that, increasingly, the Club has to commission the manufacture of parts itself or order parts that other suppliers, such as the Messerschmitt Club Deutschland (MCD), have commissioned. To keep the cost per unit as low as possible we may need to delay ordering parts until both the MOC and MCD are in a position to order reasonable quantities. Time to make or re-commission tooling can also lead to delays in obtaining parts.

If a part that you need is temporarily unavailable Wynford Jones will tell you and ask if you want to be put on a waiting list for the part. He will then contact you when supplies arrive and confirm what needs to be paid for it. Often we will not be able to determine the price we have to charge you until parts are in stock.

It can be very frustrating if you cannot get hold of a part that is vital to make your car driveable but we all need to be realistic and consider that most of our cars are over 50 years old and are not being driven daily, particularly during the winter. We can all help ourselves by thinking about that winter overhaul, determining what parts will be needed and getting them ordered at the beginning of the winter rather than 2 weeks before the rally you want to do. Similarly if you are going to restore a car work out what bits you’ll need at the start and get them ordered.

Why do you need to be a member to buy parts?

This is a requirement from our insurers and is also necessary to maintain the Club’s prssent tax status.

Where can I buy parts for my Messerschmitt?

MOC does not have a shop. Parts are usually sent by post but can also be purchased at our annual rally in July, usually at a discount to reflect the savings from the avoidance of postage and packaging. Some parts that are unsuitable to be posted (e.g. domes and windscreens) must be collected from Wynford Jones’ home in Somerset UK or, alternatively arrangements can be made in advance for them to be collected at the annual rally. The parts that are ‘collect only’ are shown with an asterisk after the parts number in the parts list that is published in Kabinews.

How can I identify the part that I need?

Our parts system uses the factory part numbers for all parts except the engine. Engine parts use the illustration number from the Sachs parts catalogue. You need both the engine and body parts manuals to identify what you need. These are available for free download on our website at www.messerschmitt.co.uk, (just click on the downloads section), and can be printed out on your home printer. If you do not have internet access, try your local library or school. The manuals are the key to identifying everything and also provide a useful guide for how the car is assembled. Also the Partsmart pages of the website include photos of most parts, as well as information about usage or fitting.

Parts manuals are also available from our Partsmart service in original factory format booklets. They are reasonably priced and useful to have as a reference, particularly during restoration work.

How do I order parts?

By internet – Go to www.messerschmitt.co.uk and click on the Partsmart button. If you are not already registered on the website you’ll need to register before you can order parts on-line using a User Name and Password that you create for yourself. Search for the items you want to buy and select what you want to buy by clicking on the ‘Add to Cart’ button. To complete the order, click on the ‘Show Cart’ button and then click on the ‘Checkout’ button. You’ll then need to choose your method of payment before sending the order. This generates an email that will usually be dealt with by Wynford Jones.

Wynford then checks the availability of each part and then arranges to email you an invoice that will show which parts can be supplied and the cost, including postage and packing. If you have selected to pay by PayPal you will receive a PayPal invoice by email. When the payment is received in the Club’s bank account the parts will be despatched by Wynford. We prefer it if you set up your PayPal account to draw funds from your credit card rather than from your current account as this provides for payments to be received by the Club immediately, thus allowing your order to be despatched without delay.

By email – You can send an email to mocpartsmart@googlemail.com requesting the parts that you want and asking the Club to confirm availability and prices. Please quote the relevant part numbers, the name of the part and the quantity required as well as your chosen method of payment. The rest of the process then follows that set out in the preceding paragraph.

By fax – Send a fax to 0044 (0) 1823 490922 requesting the parts that you want and asking the Club to confirm availability and prices. Please quote the relevant part numbers, the name of the part and the quantity required as well as your chosen method of payment. To make it easier for you and Wynford please use the ‘Partsmart Order Form’ enclosed with this edition of Kabinews. Make a few photocopies of the blank form for future use before using it. You can also download a copy of the form from the MOC website.

By Post – Write to Wynford Jones at Lonsdale, Dark Lane, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton, TA3 6EU, United Kingdom stating what parts you need. To make it easier for you and Wynford please use the ‘Partsmart Order Form’ enclosed with this edition of Kabinews. Make a few photocopies of the blank form for future use before using it. You can also download a copy of the form from the MOC website.

Wynford then checks the availability of each part and then arranges to post back an invoice that will show which parts can be supplied and the cost, including postage and packing. Then you simply arrange to pay by the method of your choice. It helps if you quote the invoice number when sending payment.

By phone – Call Wynford Jones on 0044 (0) 1823 490922 before 21:00 (UK time) to discuss what you need and make arrangements for payment and delivery/collection.

When should I expect a response from my initial enquiry to buy parts?

We aim to respond to you within 10 working days. Wynford Jones will normally deal with the order but he has limited time to do so and is often travelling to source parts. The Club’s Directors monitor the email traffic to the mocpartsmart@googlemail.com address and will try to contact you to explain why there is a delay of more than 10 days, should this occur.

Can I have the parts sent to me – anywhere in the World?

MOC can deliver by post or courier throughout the World. The prices shown in the parts list include an allowance to cover UK/European postage and UK Value Added Tax. The club has to pay this tax on sales to all European Community residents. Whilst the club is not liable to pay this tax on parts supplied to non-EC residents, the amount is usually enough to cover shipping costs to other destinations. Remember, if you are a non-EC resident you may have to pay import duty to the tax authorities in your country.

What do I do if the part that I need is not on the list?

Contact Wynford Jones to tell him what you need as he holds a limited stock of used parts available to members only. Additionally, we need to know what demand there is for parts that we do not currently offer so that we can assess the feasibility of remanufacture.

What happens to the money from subscriptions and spare parts?

The subscription income mostly covers the cost of production and distribution of our Kabinews our club magazine. The spare parts income covers the cost of Insurance, Storage, Telephone, Office equipment, Transport, and sales commission to the Partsmart Manager. There is a small profit element that is used to invest in new spare parts projects. Therefore, all profits are re-invested and do not go to any private individual.

What do I do if the parts delivered to me are faulty?

In any manufacturing process there is a possibility that some quality defects can occur and this is especially true of the low volume hand-made components that we need to keep our Messerschmitts going.

MOC Partsmart is not a commercial business but relies on the goodwill of many volunteers. For many of our parts, we rely on the suppliers, and volunteers to test the components. In almost every case, there is little or no profit in the manufacture of these parts; it is done by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts. When there is a quality claim, we often have little recourse to the original supplier. This is especially so when the parts were supplied to us some years previously. When we have to replace defective parts, the cost of doing so is borne by all members. We do allow a small element of profit, (typically 5%), in our price calculation to cover such loses but with components such as this we often eliminate even that margin to keep prices low. This is in compliance with our Articles of Association that supports parts supplies to keep the maximum number of Messerschmitts in roadworthy condition. That we have so few claims for defective parts is a credit to the volunteer engineers that spend hours of their free time developing new parts and tooling.

Most of us drive common cars and have some experience of making a warranty claim. Normally the supplier insists on fitting the parts themselves and gives a limited guarantee that can be up to one year from purchase or a specified mileage. If the part fails during the warranty period it is often replaced free of charge. However, when the elapsed time is more than one year, the supplier has no obligation to replace the part. When we do have an apparent quality defect, the supplier will want to know that the part is fitted correctly. We cannot have any control on how components are fitted and it would clearly be very expensive to have an independent Engineer’s report to establish the cause of failure. We will always need you to help us establish the cause of any failure.

Members should expect to find their parts purchases readily usable and free of major defects. To help us with tracing defects, please keep the invoice and do not dismantle or modify the part, as it is then impossible to investigate any defect. Normally, faulty parts are replaced from stock but MOC does not have a customer service department or quality control department to investigate your problem. Any defects should be reported in a timely manner. This is especially difficult for some members restoring a car over a period of many months or perhaps even years! It is quite unreasonable to return parts bought more than one year previously and expect something to be done about it. Nevertheless, we need to know when something has gone wrong. To keep this good service, and reasonable prices, there will be times when we ask for your patience and understanding.