NACE 45.3 – Sale of Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories | Public Tenders
NACE 45.3: Spare parts trade for public fleets in tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities and contracts for motor vehicle parts and accessories.
Definition: NACE 45.3 covers the wholesale and retail trade in motor vehicle parts, accessories and operating supplies — from spare parts for cars and trucks to specialist parts for commercial and special vehicles. In public procurement, this group plays an important role in supplying official fleets with spare parts and operating materials.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 45.3 cover?
NACE 45.3 (Sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories) classifies companies that distribute motor vehicle spare parts, operating supplies and vehicle accessories — an essential area for maintaining public vehicle fleets.
Group 45.3 within Section G (Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles) and Division 45 is divided into two classes:
| Class | Title | Typical services |
|---|---|---|
| 45.31 | Wholesale trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories | Spare parts for workshops, authority suppliers |
| 45.32 | Retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories | Spare parts shops, free parts trade |
Public contracting authorities are municipalities and local authorities with their own depots, police authorities, fire brigades, federal authorities with fleets, and municipal transport operators and workshops procuring spare parts directly.
Public Tenders: Scope of NACE 45.3
Spare parts and operating supplies procurement is a continuous procurement need of public bodies — framework agreements with spare parts suppliers secure the availability of police, fire brigade and municipal operations vehicle fleets.
Typical contract types
- Spare parts framework agreements: Ongoing supply contracts for wear parts (brake pads, filters, belts, lamps) for entire government fleets
- Tyres and treads: Supply of summer, winter and all-season tyres for vehicle fleets, often combined with fitting
- Operating supplies: Engine oils, transmission oils, coolants, AdBlue, lubricants — frequently as annual contracts
- Specialist parts for special vehicles: Spare parts for fire engines, emergency vehicles, sweepers and municipal technology
- Vehicle accessories and equipment: Special warning systems, police fittings for vehicles, tow bars, roof rack systems
- Original equipment vs. aftermarket: Public contracting authorities tender both OEM parts and quality-assured alternative parts
Thresholds and procedure types
Spare parts procurements are supply contracts and are subject to EU supply thresholds (EUR 221,000 for federal authorities, EUR 398,000 for other public contracting authorities). Central framework agreements by large procurement bodies for several authorities can easily exceed the thresholds; individual municipal procurements often fall below them.
Relevant CPV codes for NACE 45.3
CPV codes enable targeted searches for spare parts and operating supplies tenders in the public sector.
| CPV code | Title | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 34300000 | Parts and accessories for vehicles and their engines | General motor vehicle spare parts |
| 34310000 | Engines and engine parts | Engine repair, engine parts |
| 34320000 | Mechanical spare parts except engines and engine parts | Gearboxes, axles, brakes |
| 34330000 | Spare parts for goods vehicles, vans and cars | Commercial vehicle spare parts |
| 34340000 | Motorcycle parts | Spare parts for government motorcycles |
| 34350000 | Tyres for heavy/light-duty vehicles | Tyre supply for fleets |
| 09200000 | Petroleum, coal and oil products | Operating supplies, engine oils |
| 09211000 | Lubricating oils and lubricating agents | Engine oils, transmission oils, AdBlue |
Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.
Who is NACE 45.3 relevant for in public procurement?
Public contracting authorities
Spare parts procurements take place at all levels of public administration. In Austria, the BBG (Federal Procurement Agency) coordinates central supply and framework agreements for federal authorities, including motor vehicle spare parts and operating supplies. In Germany, central procurement for federal authorities is conducted through the Procurement Office of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Procurement (KOINNO). The police and fire brigade frequently procure specialist parts through state-owned central bodies.
Companies and bidders
Spare parts dealers and wholesalers seeking to win public contracts typically must meet the following requirements:
- Trade authorisation: Trade licence as a dealer or wholesaler for motor vehicle parts
- Technical capacity: Warehousing capacity, delivery capability within defined response times, range depth
- Economic and financial capacity: Annual turnover, creditworthiness, product liability insurance
- Quality evidence: ISO 9001, certifications of parts quality (e.g. TÜV-tested), manufacturer authorisation for OEM parts
- Logistics: Evidence of supply chains and availability guarantees, particularly for special vehicle parts
For special vehicles (fire brigade, emergency services), manufacturer or authorised dealer evidence is frequently required, as only authorised parts may be fitted.
NACE 45.3 in context: Section G and Division 45
NACE 45.3 is part of Division 45 (Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles) within the trade Section G.
- NACE G – Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles: Parent section
- NACE 45 – Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles: Division covering trade, repair and parts
- NACE 45.1 – Sale of motor vehicles: Vehicle procurement for authorities and municipalities
- NACE 45.2 – Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles: Motor vehicle workshops, fleet management
- NACE 45.4 – Sale, maintenance and repair of motorcycles: Motorcycles and parts for authorities
Frequently asked questions on NACE 45.3 and public tenders
Which companies fall under NACE 45.3?
All companies focused on the trade in motor vehicle spare parts and accessories — parts wholesalers, spare parts retailers, online dealers and specialist suppliers of commercial and special vehicle parts.
How do I find current tenders for motor vehicle spare parts?
EU-wide tenders are available on TED by CPV search (e.g. 34300000, 34350000). National tenders can be found on ANKÖ (Austria), DTVP or Vergabe24 (Germany) and on municipal procurement portals.
May contracting authorities specify exclusively original parts?
No — under procurement law, public contracting authorities must also accept equivalent alternative parts provided they meet the technical requirements. Exclusive binding to original parts is permissible only where technical necessity is demonstrated.
How are operating supplies typically tendered?
Operating supplies (engine oils, AdBlue, coolants) are often tendered as bundled annual framework agreements with fixed call-off quantities. Technical specifications (viscosity classes, manufacturer approvals) must be precisely complied with.
Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
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