What a Vaillant cooling resistor should costWhat the cooling resistor is worth — and why prices differ so much
The Vaillant cooling resistor is a small part, but its price varies widely between sellers. Some merchants list it at £100 or more; sold direct it is around £47.50. This page explains what the part should cost and why prices differ.
Updated
What it should cost
The Vaillant cooling resistor — the cooling coding plug, part 0020266328 / 0020269259 — is a genuine but inexpensive component. Sold direct, it is around £47.50.
It is worth knowing that figure before you buy, because the same genuine part is sometimes listed at a considerable premium elsewhere. Vaillant trade merchants commonly retail this part at £100 or more.
Why prices vary so much
A few things drive the spread. Trade merchants apply their own margins and handling costs, and a small low-volume spare part often carries a proportionally high markup. Stocking, picking and counter service all add cost to a low-value item.
Surplus and end-of-line stock also affects price. When genuine parts become available outside the main trade channel — for example, surplus stock sold direct — they can be offered well below typical merchant retail without any difference in the part itself.
- Merchant margins on a low-volume spare part
- Counter, stocking and handling costs added to a small item
- Surplus or end-of-line genuine stock sold direct
- Whether the price is for the part alone or part plus fitting
Same part, whatever you pay
A higher price does not buy a different or better resistor. Genuine 0020266328 and 0020269259 are functionally and electrically identical, and the part performs the same cooling-authorisation job regardless of what it cost.
When comparing prices, check that you are comparing like for like: a genuine Vaillant part, new and in factory packaging, and whether the price is for the part on its own or includes an installer fitting it. The £47.50 price here is for the genuine part itself.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it cheaper here than at a merchant?
It is the same genuine part. Trade merchants apply their own margins and handling costs to a low-volume spare, and surplus genuine stock sold direct can be offered well below typical merchant retail.
Is a cheaper resistor still genuine?
The resistor sold here is a genuine OEM Vaillant component, new and in sealed factory packaging. A lower price reflects the sales channel, not a different or lesser part.
Does the price include fitting?
No. The £47.50 price is for the genuine part itself. Fitting and commissioning cooling is carried out by an installer and is quoted separately.
I have been quoted over £100 — is that normal?
Vaillant merchants do commonly retail this part at £100 or more. That is the same component as the part sold direct at around £47.50 — it is worth comparing before you buy.