Inside the car#
The current setup for combustion cars tracks the parts below. Brakes, springs, dampers, tyres and wheels have separate parts at each corner. A worn front-left tyre can sit alongside three good ones.
| Area | Parts |
|---|---|
| Engine & starting | Engine block, valvetrain, ignition, starter, fuel delivery and oil system |
| Cooling & electrical | Radiator, coolant pump, battery and alternator |
| Drivetrain | Transmission, differential and clutch or torque converter |
| Brakes & steering | A brake at each corner, plus the steering assembly |
| Suspension & tyres | Separate springs, dampers, tyres and wheels at each corner |
| Exhaust | Exhaust and catalytic-converter assembly |
| Bodywork | Doors, bonnet, boot, glass and lights |
Mechanical wear and body damage have different rules. We’re still adding vehicle models and compatible parts.
Signs of trouble#
The car describes problems through roleplay text. The engine might hesitate before starting, the cabin lights might dip, or you might hear a rattle under the bonnet. These clues reflect its condition.
“A faint metallic rattle can be heard from the engine bay.”
Drivers and passengers hear some symptoms, while people outside can notice others, such as an exhaust rasp. You get clues about what is wrong without seeing exact part health.
Mechanic inspections#
Only qualified, on-duty mechanics can see exact part health. Owning the car or carrying a loose part does not reveal it.
Inspections range from a walk-around and a look under the bonnet to road tests, lift inspections and specialist checks. Detailed checks need the right equipment and work area.
With the owner’s consent, a mechanic can issue a report with broad condition grades, safety concerns and recommended repairs. The exact readings stay in the mechanic’s inspection view.
How parts wear out#
Driving distance and engine running time wear different parts at different rates. Crashes, fire and water damage add wear. Part quality and previous use also affect condition.
One fault can damage other parts. Poor cooling adds engine wear. Worn suspension wears the tyre at the same corner faster, and serious brake wear can affect its wheel.
Severe faults can make a car hard to start, limit how it drives or stop it from moving. We’re still adjusting those driving effects.
Buying and selling used parts#
Salvage and chopping recover the parts fitted to the vehicle. Each part keeps its condition after removal and when fitted to another compatible car.
Chopping a car does not reveal its parts’ health. A criminal without mechanic qualifications can recover and sell a part without knowing how much life it has left. The inventory shows basic details; mechanics can inspect the condition.
A mechanic could sell a worn replacement as a good part, knowing the customer cannot check its health. Another might disclose the wear and price it to match.
Legal salvage and illegal chopping have different requirements for vehicle access, tools and location. Stripping major parts also affects what the remaining car can do.
Servicing and repairs#
Oil, coolant, brakes, transmission and ignition have separate service needs. Overdue servicing increases wear on the parts it affects. A service uses supplies and updates the service record, but it does not undo wear already on the parts.
Workshop servicing includes a quote, customer approval, payment and a record of the completed work. A replacement part must fit the car. The old part keeps its remaining condition after removal.
Keys and ownership#
Every vehicle has a key. Whoever holds it can use the car, including someone you give it to.
Garages provide storage. Sales and ownership transfers keep the car’s existing parts and wear.