Most LR parts have a number along the lines of RTC1224, some older parts ( I believe there is a washer first used on Series 1s that was still used in Defenders until recently...) have a longer number, all figures eg 6031234. The "pattern" parts makers ( Britpart etc) often quote the LR part number "for reference only" on their packaging as well.
Your chassis number is important because it pin-points where the vehicle sits in the production run. A part will be valid "up to TA 123456" or "from TA 123457". More precise than saying " a '97 Disco."
If you are serious about doing work on your own vehicle then you can get copies of the parts list as down loads from tinternet or as a CD. My CD of the 300 Tdi parts manual cost ?2.50 from fleabay. Makes it a lot easier when asking the sales bloke for parts and has the added bonus of having exploded diagrams so you can see how it fits together.
