ᐅ How modular is the IKEA METOD kitchen system?

That should all be doable. With some persistence and inquiry, you can also find individual parts in the clearance section.

Thanks, IKEA expert! Browsing the clearance section is a good idea (I always check it first when I visit IKEA anyway), but unfortunately the carcasses there often look worn, and even some display units seem incorrectly assembled. However, for one or two shelves and metal braces for the base cabinets, that should work fine.

Otherwise, does ordering replacement parts usually cost a lot? And do I have to prove that I actually owned these parts?

One more question: why are the back panels of the base cabinets bent, but those of the wall cabinets are not?

Spare parts are free of charge. Only parts that have a number in the assembly instructions can be ordered.
Until a few days ago, parts could be ordered simply through the spare parts form. Now, you have to enter a purchase receipt number and select a reason. I am not sure to what extent this is verified.
Parts are also available from customer service at the furniture stores. Whether a receipt is required varies. It seems each store decides individually.

Also the back panels. Whether these are foldable depends on whether it is necessary for the smallest possible packaging. In upper cabinets, back panels are more visible, especially with glass doors. Therefore, the back panels in these cabinets are preferably made in one piece.

Yes, that makes sense. One more thing to watch out for.

The proof requirement is a bit inconvenient. Maybe it was overused...
But anyway, I’ll take a look. It would only apply to items with numbers anyway.

Thanks in any case!

The tip about the foundation pit is correct. Don’t forget to bring tools; some cars aren’t exactly pleased with a fully assembled 80x60x80cm (31.5x23.6x31.5 inch) base cabinet…

Handling individual parts through customer service varies with each customer, but I don’t think the steel braces for the base cabinets are orderable as separate parts. For my own design, I needed braces that were 40cm (16 inches) wide, so I simply bought the cheapest cabinet that included them. As expected, I was able to cut four “top panels” from just one cabinet instead of only two, because the side panels are perfectly symmetrical at top and bottom, including the rows of holes. This is in response to your question about how interchangeable/rotatable the parts of the Metod Modular are. See the pictures to understand why I did this:

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Regarding the back panels, I previously thought there was no difference between top and bottom or whether it is a tall cabinet or not. However, it does depend on the cabinet width. Specifically, only the 80cm (31.5 inch) cabinets have two-part back panels (for packaging reasons). By the way, these are not reversible, so you will need to cut the back panels, including the cutouts, precisely. But if you measure carefully and work meticulously, this is very feasible using a jigsaw.