What we source

Automotive aftermarket and engineered parts from China

Brake pads, filters, suspension parts, fasteners, seals and cycle parts are bought by parts distributors in the UK and overseas, usually by part number and in mixed containers. Cambridge China Bridge sources them direct from specialist Chinese factories and checks each part number before loading.

For factory sourcing, checks and delivery, see our UK-based China sourcing agent service.

A drilled brake disc on a car hub in a workshop

Aftermarket quality problems usually start with an order that describes a part instead of identifying it. We work by part number against an OE cross-reference and reference samples, and our own staff in China check dimensions, approval marks and batch codes before the container is sealed.

Replacement brake linings carry their own approval rules in Great Britain, and other markets have their own certificates. The guides below cover what to specify, which approvals to check and how to keep batches traceable.

What we source

  • Brake pads and shoes
  • Oil, air, fuel and cabin filters
  • Suspension and steering parts
  • Screws, nuts, washers and custom fasteners
  • O-rings, gaskets and end caps
  • Bicycle parts and tyres

What to consider

  • Order every line by part number against an OE cross-reference and reference samples.
  • Check the approval mark and batch code on the part and the box, not only the certificate.
  • Specialist factories make each part family; audit each for the process it runs.
  • Keep batch codes on the packing list so a later problem can be traced.

Cambridge China Bridge in brief

  • Buying from Chinese factories since 2021 (the company was incorporated in September 2022), for our own businesses and for clients on the same terms.
  • Our own staff are based in China, at two bases: the Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan) and the Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu). They visit factories themselves.
  • Quotes to suit how you buy: one delivered price, or an itemised quote with the factory cost, freight, duty and our service fee shown separately. Open-book detail is available on request.
  • Audits and inspections are usually included in the quote for an order placed with us; complex checks that need a third party are charged extra, agreed first.
  • Orders run from a first trial to scheduled full containers; the factory’s own minimum is stated in the quote.
  • In one project, a UK EV charging operator cut unit cost by 70% and scaled 3× faster. In another, a multi-site Cambridge café chain saved 50% on packaging.
  • A UK company in Cambridge and London: Cambridge China Bridge is the trading name of Piggy Pineapple Ltd, company number 14385590.
  • Send 1–3 products you buy now and what you pay. We compare the same specification, quantity, inspection and delivery scope to establish a cost benchmark.
  • A reference call with a past client can be arranged, with that client’s agreement.

Common questions

Do replacement brake pads need approval in the UK?

Under the Road Vehicles (Brake Linings Safety) Regulations 1999, as originally made, replacement brake linings for relevant vehicles must be approved and marked; the automotive guide sets it out.

Can you supply parts distributors outside the UK?

Yes. We quote to your own port in GBP, USD or EUR and inspect in China before loading.

Can you mix part families in one container?

Yes. Parts from several factories are consolidated, counted by part number and checked at loading.

Related guides

Discuss your sourcing project

Tell us the product, quantity and destination. Our own staff in China verify factories, follow production and inspect before shipment. We reply the same working day to confirm receipt and arrange next steps.

Discuss your sourcing project
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