FAI Automotive
FAI Automotive is a UK-based B2B distributor of OE-quality replacement engine and chassis parts for European, Japanese and Korean vehicles, serving independent garages and motor factors in more than 50 countries under the FAI, Camtec, Metelli and Yenmak brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersLeighton Buzzard, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What FAI Automotive does
FAI Automotive is a UK-based wholesale distributor of replacement automotive parts, operating as Automotive Distribution Centre Limited (with FAI Automotive Limited as a dormant subsidiary) and wholly owned by South African-listed conglomerate Motus Holdings Limited. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Leighton Buzzard, the company supplies an all-makes range of engine and chassis components — including timing chain kits, engine sealing, valve train, internal engine, cylinder heads, pumps and pulleys, pans and covers, filtration, steering and suspension, wheel bearings, braking, and control cables — engineered to meet or exceed OE specifications for European, Japanese and Korean passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, distributed under the FAI, Camtec, Metelli and Yenmak brands.
The business serves two primary B2B segments: independent garages/workshops purchasing OE-quality components for repair and maintenance, and motor factors/distributors reselling those components to the aftermarket. Products are manufactured in ISO TS16949-certified facilities with an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, and the company offers an extended 60-month/100,000km warranty on timing chain kits versus a 24-month standard warranty. Operational support includes a Technical Express Returns programme (reports within 20 working days), a technical video library, technical bulletins, an online warranty tracker, and an electronic parts catalogue searchable by vehicle registration, make/model, engine type, or part number.
Commercial model is quote-based B2B trade distribution with carriage-free UK delivery above £130, ancillary carriage and timed-delivery surcharges below that threshold, and standard payment terms by the 20th of the month following invoice. Distribution reaches more than 50 countries via direct sales to UK motor factors and a network of international distributors, with marketing conducted through the corporate website, monthly "New to Range" email announcements, technical bulletins, downloadable marketing assets, and major aftermarket trade shows including Automechanika Frankfurt.
FAI Automotive firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FAI Automotive
- Legal name
- FAI Automotive PLC
- Website
- https://faiauto.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- FAI Automotive is a UK-based B2B distributor of OE-quality replacement engine and chassis parts for European, Japanese and Korean vehicles, serving independent garages and motor factors in more than 50 countries under the FAI, Camtec, Metelli and Yenmak brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FAI Automotive industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Aftermarket Parts
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363), Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (33633), Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (33631)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mechanical replacement parts distribution (engine, drivetrain, steering, suspension, brakes) (CRAOANAA)
Keywords
Where FAI Automotive is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leighton Buzzard
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
FAI Automotive business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Aftermarket Automotive Parts Sales: FAI Automotive operates as a wholesaler of spare parts for motor cars and vans, generating revenue through one-time sales of replacement automotive parts. The company sells under FAI and Camtec brands through trade/ex-works sales with standard payment terms of the 20th day of the month following invoice date. Returns of non-defective goods are accepted within 30 days with a 20% handling charge.
- Carriage and Delivery Services: FAI generates ancillary revenue through delivery charges: orders under £130.00 incur £5.95 per parcel carriage charge, with surcharges for before-12noon delivery (£4.75 for orders over £130, £8.90 for orders under £130). Stock orders (50+ lines) qualify for 48-hour delivery service.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard carriage-free threshold |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard carriage charge |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Urgent next-day delivery surcharge |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Stock orders (50+ lines) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
FAI Automotive product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FAI Automotive is a UK-based B2B distributor of premium aftermarket replacement automotive parts for European, Japanese and Korean passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The portfolio spans engine timing kits, engine sealing, valve train, internal engine, cylinder heads, pumps and pulleys, pans and covers, filtration, steering and suspension, wheel bearings, braking and control cables, sold under FAI, Camtec, Metelli and Yenmak brands via UK trade sales and international distribution.
Product overview
FAI Automotive is a premium aftermarket automotive parts supplier offering a comprehensive 'all makes' range of engine and chassis components for European, Japanese and Korean vehicles. The product portfolio is organized into two main categories: Engine Parts (Timing Chain Kits, Engine Sealing, Valve Train, Internal Engine, Cylinder Heads, Pumps and Pulleys, Pans and Covers, Filtration) and Chassis Parts (Steering & Suspension, Wheel Bearings, Braking, Control Cables). The company operates under sub-brands Metelli and Yenmak and provides supplementary services including an electronic parts catalogue and warranty tracking system. Founded in 1983, FAI delivers OE-quality replacement parts trusted by customers in more than 50 countries worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Camtec: Replacement automotive parts brand covering European, Japanese and Korean passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, alongside the FAI brand.
Products and services
- Timing Chain Kits Premium quality timing chain kits engineered to match OE specifications, including variable valve timing variants for European, Japanese and Korean engine applications, with an extended 60-month/100,000 km warranty.
- Engine Sealing Gaskets and sealing components including head gaskets, top sets, full sets, rocker gaskets, oil seals, head bolts and valve stem seals for engine rebuild applications.
- Valve Train Camshafts, camshaft carrier modules, engine valves, rocker arms, ladder racks, lifters and tappets for various engine applications.
- Internal Engine Pistons, piston rings, engine bearings, liners and connecting rods for engine rebuild applications, complemented by Yenmak sub-brand piston and engine components.
- Cylinder Heads Complete and bare cylinder heads for European, Japanese and Korean vehicle applications.
- Pumps and Pulleys Water pumps, oil pumps and crankshaft pulleys for engine cooling and lubrication systems.
- Pans and Covers Sump pans, transmission pans, oil control valves, sump plugs and rocker covers for engine and transmission applications.
- Filtration Air, cabin, fuel and oil filters for engine and cabin air quality maintenance.
- Steering and Suspension Control arms, ball joints, stabiliser links, tie rod ends and strut mounts for vehicle steering and suspension systems.
- Wheel Bearings Hub bearings and wheel bearings for front and rear axle applications.
- Braking Brake discs, brake pads and calipers for vehicle braking systems, with semi-metallic pad formulation and zinc-coated calipers covering manual and electronic parking brake systems.
- Control Cables Brake cables and gear cables for vehicle control systems.
- CSK1014A DV5 Chain Upgrade Kit Timing chain conversion kit for PSA DV5 engines upgrading the chain system from 7mm to a more robust 8mm specification, with technical guidance for installation, addressing known design weaknesses in the original specification.
- Metelli Sub-brand Range Aftermarket automotive parts under the Metelli sub-brand offering engine and chassis components for European, Japanese and Korean vehicles.
- Yenmak Sub-brand Range Piston and engine component brand providing replacement pistons and internal engine parts under the Yenmak label.
- Camtec Sub-brand Range Replacement automotive parts brand covering European, Japanese and Korean passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, sold alongside the FAI brand.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% UK vehicle parc coverage with braking range
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use FAI Automotive
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
FAI Automotive technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
FAI Automotive partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators8 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FAI Automotive competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MEYLE: Independent aftermarket manufacturer-distributor specializing in chassis, steering, suspension, and engine components sold through European distributors. Closely mirrors FAI's chassis-leaning product portfolio and OE-equivalent quality positioning.
- Corteco (Freudenberg): Aftermarket specialist distributing engine sealing, gaskets, filtration and chassis components to European motor factors. Highly comparable product mix to FAI's engine and sealing lines and a similar OE-quality value proposition.
- Euro Car Parts: UK-based aftermarket parts distributor serving independent garages and motor factors with a broad mechanical, braking, and engine component range. Directly comparable business model and customer base to FAI Automotive within the UK independent aftermarket.
- Blue Print (ADL group): UK-headquartered Asian vehicle aftermarket specialist distributing engine, steering, suspension and braking parts through motor factors. Comparable all-makes programme and customer base to FAI with overlapping European, Japanese, and Korean vehicle coverage.
- FEBI Bilstein: German aftermarket parts specialist with a multi-category engine, steering, suspension and braking range sold to motor factors and workshops across Europe. Highly comparable product mix, OE-quality positioning, and distribution model in the same European aftermarket.
Others
- Metelli Group: Italian aftermarket parts manufacturer and sister-company within the Motus Holdings group, distributing engine, steering, and braking components globally. Closely comparable product categories but operates as a complementary brand within the same parent ecosystem rather than a direct market competitor.
Emerging players
- NTK/NTN-SNR (NTN Automotive): Specialist in wheel bearings, engine timing components and other mechanical aftermarket parts distributed through European motor factors. Partial product overlap with FAI's wheel bearing and timing chain lines and similar OE-quality positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Bosch Automotive Aftermarket: Global Tier-1 supplier offering a comprehensive aftermarket parts and diagnostics portfolio through the same UK motor factor channel that FAI serves. Comparable in product breadth and end-customers but vastly larger scale and incumbency in braking, electrical, and engine management categories.
- Continental ContiTech / ATE: Major Tier-1 incumbent distributing engine timing, belts, and braking components (under ATE) through the same UK motor factor channel. Overlapping product categories and customer base, but anchored by much deeper R&D and global scale.
- Brembo Aftermarket: Premium braking specialist with global aftermarket reach competing in the disc, pad, and caliper categories that FAI is expanding into. Comparable in braking category focus but operates at a much larger scale and with stronger OE credentials.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FAI Automotive social profiles
Digital presenceFAI Automotive compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
FAI Automotive financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FAI Automotive leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
FAI Automotive subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
FAI Automotive funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FAI Automotive M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FAI Automotive
What does FAI Automotive do?
FAI Automotive is a UK-based B2B distributor of premium aftermarket replacement automotive parts for European, Japanese and Korean passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The portfolio spans engine timing kits, engine sealing, valve train, internal engine, cylinder heads, pumps and pulleys, pans and covers, filtration, steering and suspension, wheel bearings, braking and control cables, sold under FAI, Camtec, Metelli and Yenmak brands via UK trade sales and international distribution.
Is FAI Automotive a public or private company?
FAI Automotive is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was FAI Automotive founded?
FAI Automotive was founded in 1983. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is FAI Automotive based?
FAI Automotive is headquartered in Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does FAI Automotive make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Aftermarket Automotive Parts Sales are the primary driver. The others are carriage and Delivery Services.
Who are FAI Automotive's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MEYLE, Corteco (Freudenberg), Euro Car Parts, Blue Print (ADL group) and FEBI Bilstein. Metelli Group is listed as an others. NTK/NTN-SNR (NTN Automotive) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Bosch Automotive Aftermarket, Continental ContiTech / ATE and Brembo Aftermarket.
Does FAI Automotive have an API?
No public API is recorded for FAI Automotive.
What industry is FAI Automotive in?
FAI Automotive's product category is Automotive Aftermarket Parts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOANAA, Mechanical replacement parts distribution (engine, drivetrain, steering, suspension, brakes). Its NAICS code is 3363 and its SIC code is 5010.