Why remanufactured car parts are a smart choice

Photo: Alex Suprun on unsplash.com

You are not alone when you flicked through a price list of a brand new alternator or gearbox and your stomach sank. The cost of repair bills continues to rise, yet there exists an increasing amount of alternative many UK motorists are quietly opting to save money but not compromise quality: remanufactured spare parts. These are not second hand parts scavenged out of a scrapyard, but rather well-restored parts, which in many cases are as effective as new parts and in a few cases even better.

What are Remanufactured Car Parts?
Remanufactured parts begin as used or damaged components, which are stripped, cleaned, tested and refurbished to factory. Remanufacturing can be carried out on everything, including starter motors and turbochargers, as well as entire engines and gearboxes. New seals, bearings, gaskets and any other components that are worn are usually involved in the process.

The large manufacturers in fact do much of this work themselves. A remanufactured Bosch or Valeo alternator has a similar warranty to a new one. To the drivers, it means that you are getting something that has been tested and also returned to a high standard rather than something that has never been used before.

The reason why more drivers are opting to use remanufactured parts
The biggest reason is price. Remanufactured parts typically are 30-60 percent cheaper than new. The saving can be hundreds of pounds on a big-ticket item such as a diesel injector pump or a hybrid battery pack. Simultaneously, you are not sacrificing reliability as you would with a low-cost pattern part.

And there is the ecological aspect. Remanufacturing prevents perfectly good cores from hitting the landfill, and reduces the energy and raw materials required to make it all new again. As the UK intensifies on net-zero targets, this alternative seems like a viable means of being greener without incurring additional costs.

Their comparisons with new and used parts
Very new cars that are still under manufacturer warranty are still safest bets under new parts. Remanufactured parts are very sensible, however, once that warranty expires. They are not full of used parts of breakers yards - they are as they were found, with the mileage and history of the former car.

Remanufactured component passes through stringent tests and is normally accompanied by a respectable warranty, often that of 12-24 months. They have become the favourite of many independent garages since they are aware of the quality and the price has allowed them to remain competitive in quotes.

Where to get good remanufactured spare parts
The aftermarket has been gaining ground. Thousands of remanufactured products are now being found among specialist suppliers, alongside new stock. The easiest way for most people is to go car parts online sites that let you enter your registration number and instantly show which remanufactured options are available for your exact model.

Find suppliers with clear remanufactured to OE standards and a warranty. Look at the fine print of what comes with it (refunds of core charges are usual) and delivery times, particularly when you must have the part at hand.

Photo: Iyan Ryan on Unsplash

Before you shop, here are some tips
Always ensure that the part number is the correct one to your vehicle. Minor variations in model years can imply that it will not fit. When you are using a garage then get them to know that you are supplying the part most independents are fine with fitting customer sourced parts, and will frequently charge less labour.

Keep an eye on the core return process. You normally return the old part and have your deposit refunded after receiving it. Before you remove it, it is worth taking a quick snapshot of your old component, just in case.

The future for remanufactured parts
With the increasing complexity of cars, particularly hybrids and EVs, remanufacturing is increasingly becoming significant. Electric motors as well as power electronics and battery modules are costly to buy originally, but can now be remanufactured at half the price. This will probably continue increasing with more aging EVs entering the used market within the next few years.

To a typical motorist, Remanufactured parts present a viable compromise. You save, save wastage, and still achieve a good repair that will ensure your car is on the road with safety. The next time you get a large repair bill, inquire with your garage about remanufactured options. You may be amazed at the amount of money you can save yet drive away with confidence.