Save money and reduce waste with recycled car parts

Do you need to replace one or more of your car’s components? If so, you may want to consider purchasing recycled parts.

Many people mistakenly believe that car parts must be purchased brand new from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). However, in many cases, recycled parts are just as suitable and cost only a fraction of the price of new ones.

Where do recycled car parts come from?
Used car components are typically salvaged from vehicles wrecked in a crash, particularly those declared a total loss by the insurance provider. Most of the time, there are many components that weren’t damaged at all and the car is sold to a recycling center for parts.

A mechanic at the recycling center takes the car apart and carefully inspects all the pieces, cleaning and reconditioning components when possible. These are then sold as replacement parts.

What’s the advantage of using recycled parts?
Because they were in fact made by the original manufacturer, recycled car parts are still considered OEM parts. When used on a vehicle of the same make and model, the pieces will fit and function exactly the same way.

One key advantage of using recycled components is that contrary to new OEM parts, they often come ready to install. For example, if you’re replacing a door, the new one is likely to consist of only the outer shell. This doesn’t include wiring or trim panels, meaning you have to pay more for those things, or the mechanic will have to spend time moving them from the old door to the new one. A recycled door, however, may come as one whole piece, trim included, saving you both time and money.

Recycling car parts is also good for the environment. Reusing them means they won’t rot away in a junkyard, and repurposing old components produces a much smaller carbon footprint than manufacturing new ones.