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Updated: 2026-09-23 17:24
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What is WebAutoCats?
WebAutoCats is an online catalog resource for genuine auto parts. It gathers official parts diagrams and lookup tools for several major car brands into one place, so you can identify a component by its factory number rather than guessing from photos or generic listings.
The catalogs it covers fall into brand groups:
- BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce — ETK
- Audi, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen — ETKA
- Porsche — PET
- Mercedes, Smart — EPC
- Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn — EPC
These are the same diagram-based systems dealership parts counters use. You typically enter a VIN or select model, year and trim, then navigate exploded views to find the exact part number.
Who it suits: owners of older or less common models, DIY mechanics, restorers, and anyone ordering from a parts counter or independent supplier who needs a precise number. It is less useful if you only want to buy a commodity item like oil or wiper blades.
Trade-offs: catalog accuracy depends on the underlying data and how well your vehicle is identified — a wrong trim or production date can point you to a part that does not fit. Diagrams also show what a part is, not whether an aftermarket equivalent exists or what it costs.
A practical next step: have your VIN ready, look up the part number, then search that exact number across a few retailers to compare availability and price. For BMW owners, BMW and specialist communities can help confirm a number before you buy.
Which car brands and models are covered by the parts catalogs on WebAutoCats?
WebAutoCats groups its catalog coverage by manufacturer-specific parts systems rather than by model year or region, so the brand list is organized around those systems.
Brand coverage by catalog system
| Catalog system | Brands covered |
|---|---|
| ETK | BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce |
| ETKA | Audi, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen |
| PET | Porsche |
| EPC | Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn |
What this means in practice
ETK, ETKA, PET and EPC are the factory parts-catalog systems dealers and independent shops use to look up original components by vehicle and diagram. Because WebAutoCats lists coverage at the system level, you can confirm whether your brand is included, but the specific models and model years available depend on the data in each catalog rather than on a published model list.
A useful next step: identify your car's brand, then match it to the system above. If you drive a BMW, for example, you would look under ETK; a Volkswagen goes to ETKA; a Porsche to PET; and a Chevrolet, Cadillac or Saab to EPC. From there, search by VIN or by model and year inside that catalog to see which diagrams and part numbers are actually returned. If your vehicle is a model not sold in the markets those systems primarily serve, expect thinner or missing coverage.
For background on the individual systems, general reference pages such as BMW or Volkswagen describe their own parts operations, though they won't mirror WebAutoCats' catalog selection.
How can I find the correct OEM part number for my specific vehicle using WebAutoCats?
To find the correct OEM part number on WebAutoCats, use its catalog pages as a lookup: pick your make, then model and year, then narrow by group (engine, brakes, body) until you reach the exploded diagram or parts list where each item carries its own number.
What the site actually offers
WebAutoCats is a collection of genuine manufacturer parts catalogs rather than a shop:
- ETK for BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce
- ETKA for Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen
- PET for Porsche
- EPC for Mercedes, Smart, and a long list of GM brands including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn
That spread is the main reason to use it: one interface for several otherwise separate dealer catalog systems.
How to work through it
- Identify your vehicle precisely — model, year, engine code and, where relevant, transmission or trim. Part numbers often split at these points.
- Open the matching catalog for your brand.
- Drill down by assembly group rather than guessing a part name; diagrams show how items relate.
- Read the number from the list beside the diagram, and note any quantity or fitment note attached to it.
- Cross-check the number against a second source, such as a dealer parts counter or a specialist forum, before buying.
Practical trade-offs
| Approach | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| WebAutoCats catalogs | Multiple brands, diagram-based, numbers next to items | Interface quality and completeness vary by catalog; no guarantee it reflects the latest supersessions |
| Dealer parts counter | Current numbers and superseded replacements | Requires a visit or call; less convenient for browsing |
| Enthusiast forums | Real-world fitment experience | Mixed accuracy |
A realistic scenario
If you own a 2008 Volkswagen Golf and need a replacement coolant flange, you would open the ETKA catalog, select the model and engine, go to the cooling system group, and read the flange's number from the diagram list. Then confirm whether that number has been superseded before ordering, since older catalog data may not show the newest revision.
Next step
Write down the full number exactly as shown, including any suffix, and verify it with a dealer or a parts specialist. For brand-specific owner discussion and cross-checking, communities such as BimmerFest or Audizine can help confirm fitment.
Is WebAutoCats free to use, or do I need a subscription to access the catalogs?
WebAutoCats does not publish pricing, subscription tiers, or payment information on the page provided, so there is no confirmed answer about whether access is free or paid. What the page evidence does establish is what the site offers: genuine auto parts catalogs covering ETK (BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce), ETKA (Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW), PET (Porsche), and EPC (Mercedes, Smart, and several GM and Saturn/Saab brands).
How to check access terms yourself
- Open the site and try a specific lookup — for example, search a BMW part number in the ETK catalog rather than browsing a landing page. Paywalls often appear only at the results or diagram stage.
- Look for a pricing, plans, account, or FAQ link in the header or footer. If none exists, the site may be free, ad-supported, or simply not transparent about costs.
- Attempt the same lookup in two different catalogs (say, ETKA and PET). If one works and another asks for login or payment, access is likely mixed rather than uniformly free or paid.
What usually determines cost in this niche
Third-party parts catalog aggregators tend to fall into three patterns: free with advertising, free browsing with paid downloads or VIN-specific reports, or subscription-only for full diagram and part-number access. Official manufacturer portals are typically dealer-restricted, so sites like this exist mainly to fill that gap for independent mechanics, parts resellers, and owners researching a repair.
For a concrete case: if you are a DIY owner confirming a part number before ordering from a local supplier, free browsing is usually enough. If you run a workshop and need repeated lookups across multiple brands, a paid tier can still be cheaper than buying per-lookup access elsewhere.
If cost matters to your decision, treat the absence of published pricing as a signal to verify directly on the site before relying on it for regular work. For cross-checking part numbers against manufacturer or retailer information, RealOEM and Partsouq are established alternatives in the same space.
Can WebAutoCats help me verify whether a used car part is compatible with my car?
Yes, if your car is from one of the brands its catalogs cover. WebAutoCats is a directory of genuine manufacturer parts catalogs — ETK for BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce; ETKA for Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW; PET for Porsche; and EPC for Mercedes, Smart and a group of GM and Saab/Saturn brands. Those catalogs are the same diagrams and part-number lookups dealers and workshops use, so they are a solid way to check whether a part belongs on your specific car.
The practical catch is that compatibility usually depends on more than the model name. You need your VIN or a precise build description, because the same model year can use different parts depending on engine, trim, options and production date.
How to use it for a used-part check
- Get the part number the seller is advertising, or the number stamped on the part itself.
- Look that number up in the relevant catalog for your brand and confirm which models, engines and years it was fitted to.
- Cross-check against your own car's VIN or build details in the same catalog to see which number your car calls for.
- If the numbers differ, treat it as incompatible unless you can confirm the parts are interchangeable supersessions.
A realistic example: you find a used alternator listed as fitting a 2015 Golf. ETKA may show several output ratings and pulley types across petrol and diesel variants of that year. The listing's "fits a Golf" claim is too broad; the catalog tells you whether your engine code actually uses that unit.
Where it fits and where it doesn't
- Best for: owners of the covered brands doing their own repairs, buyers checking a seller's claim before paying, and anyone who wants the manufacturer's own numbering rather than a marketplace's guesswork.
- Weaker for: brands outside the catalog list, aftermarket or universal parts that never had an OEM number, and physical fit issues like wear, damage or missing brackets that no catalog shows.
- Trade-off: the catalogs are authoritative but not beginner-friendly. Diagram navigation and option codes take some getting used to, and a catalog confirms the part number, not the condition of the used item you're buying.
If you don't have a VIN handy, ask the seller for it and for a photo of the part number before you commit. For a second opinion on a specific number, a brand owners' forum or a dealer parts counter can confirm what the catalog suggests.
What should I do if my vehicle brand or model is not listed in the WebAutoCats catalogs?
If your brand or model is missing from WebAutoCats, treat it as a catalog-coverage gap, not a dead end. WebAutoCats groups genuine parts catalogs by manufacturer family: ETK for BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce; ETKA for Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW; PET for Porsche; and EPC for Mercedes, Smart, and a range of GM and Saab/Saturn brands. Something outside those groups—or a model too new or too old for the catalog version loaded—simply won't appear.
Practical steps
- Confirm the exact brand and model spelling. Badges, rebadges and regional names cause most "missing model" problems. A car sold under one marque may sit in another group's catalog.
- Check the catalog family, not just the brand. If your car shares a platform with a listed brand, the part may be indexed there.
- Try the official parts operation for your marque. Dealer parts counters and manufacturer parts portals cover current models and often superseded numbers.
- Use a parts-number-first search. If you already have the OEM number from a workshop invoice or the old part, search that number rather than browsing by model.
- Ask in an owner community for your specific model. Owners frequently share which catalog or diagram actually contains their variant.
Where to go instead
| Situation | Better starting point |
|---|---|
| Mainstream brand not in the listed groups | Manufacturer's own parts site or dealer |
| Japanese or Korean vehicle | Brand's official parts portal |
| Very new model | Dealer, since aftermarket catalogs lag |
| Classic or rare model | Marque-specific owner club and specialist breakers |
For VW Group, BMW Group and Porsche owners, the corresponding catalogs are usually reachable through the manufacturers' own parts systems: Volkswagen, BMW and Porsche. Mercedes and Smart owners can start at Mercedes-Benz.
Decision criterion
If your vehicle belongs to one of the four catalog families but the model still won't load, the likely cause is a catalog year or market mismatch—switch to the correct model year or region before assuming the part is unavailable. If your brand isn't in any family, skip WebAutoCats and go straight to the dealer or a marque specialist.
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