As the UK moves towards a more sustainable future, the motor claims industry has no choice but to keep up. Green OE (original equipment) car parts are soaring in popularity, with consumers and professionals alike, striving for the most environmentally friendly vehicle repair options available.
The ‘Road to Zero’ carbon emissions strategy sees the UK government banning the sale of all new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles from 2030, pledging that at least half of all new car sales, and up to 40% of new van sales, will be hybrid or electric.
However, sustainability means a great deal more than simply choosing an electric make and mode, with one of the most talked-about alternatives being: green car parts.
What are green car parts?
Recognised as a sustainable source, green car parts are the used parts from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
When a vehicle has either been written-off or come to the end of its lifecycle, there may be some parts which have been left undamaged and therefore, can be re-used. It’s very much like vehicle part recycling – in fact, green car parts can also be known as “used”, “reclaimed” or even literally “recycled” parts, with every single green part purchase contributing towards the recycling industry in the UK.
But ultimately, the clue is in the name. “Green” car parts prevent the need for a new car part to be made, saving resources and energy at the same time. What’s more, according to research from Transport & Environment, it’s estimated that recycled vehicle parts are the equivalent of saving 80 billion barrels of oil each year in manufacturing and transport processes, while also increasing the lifespan of countless existing vehicles.
If green car parts are used, are they bad quality?
No, it’s quite the opposite. As green car parts only ever come straight out of an original equipment (OE) production line, they’re considered the best available quality of used parts, and therefore a very popular choice for repairers when physically sourcing parts.
This is simply because the OEM would have only used these parts in the first place, to match the vehicles’ exact specification during the time it was first built. The parts would had to have passed strict quality control processes and be a very high standard, otherwise part would not have been used at all.
Are green car parts safe?
There’s been a fair amount of negative publicity over the years surrounding the safety of green car parts, so it’s no surprise that consumers are dubious about whether they’re trustworthy. Many of these concerns are born from the fact that those parts could have come from a vehicle that crashed, posing questions such as “did that vehicle crash because of a faulty part?” or “is that part likely to cause an accident in my car?”
This isn’t helped by new parts manufacturers who discourage used parts purely for their own profit margins, or by ‘cowboy’ repairers performing bad work.
But, the truth is, when they’re salvaged, replaced and fitted correctly by full trained repair specialists, green car parts are very safe. In fact, there are even regulated bodies out there to help maintain these exact safety standards.
Used vehicle parts can be purchased from approved members of the Vehicle Recyclers’ Association (VRA, formerly the MVDA), who are involved with promoting the use of reclaimed parts in the UK repair industry, encouraging the adoption of Automotive Recyclers Association of America (ARA) standards to ensure product quality.
VRA membership is one of the few indicators of a company’s good reputation and high quality of product, backed by warranties and guarantees, so it’s always worth checking that bodyshop technicians hold this membership, before committing to the job.
Are green car parts easy to source?
Mostly yes, there’s plenty of choice and availability, simply due to the fact that cars are often built in bulk.
Unless your vehicle is an ultra-rare limited edition, it should be relatively easy for a repairer to find the correct parts to complete a job. In fact, it’s often much easier and quicker to find used parts, with bodyshops having access to the best solutions and parts prices to secure their orders.
Are green car parts likely to become more popular?
As the UK strives towards a more sustainable future, green car parts are set to become a widely accepted, and in some cases, essential, to the future of vehicle repairs.
Recent research commissioned by Allianz Insurance supports this, identifying that 69% of motorists would choose the option of a green replacement part to repair their vehicle, with protecting the environment given as the main reason for 77% of them.
The survey also confirmed that vehicle repairers can play a positive role in the take up, with over half of motorists looking to repairers to offer a green part when discussing the repair to their vehicle.
How ECSG can help
At ECSG, we are specialists in technical claims handling, and we believe that everyone, regardless of fault, should have access to market leading services and be treated fairly and respectfully.
That’s why insurers and MGA’s so often choose us to support them with service fulfilment and supply chain execution, trusting that we will improve their claims spend and experience. We work with the best, highly reputable supply chain who can provide the highest quality of OE parts for claimants. Thanks to our experience, and vast supply chain we are able to supply quickly to avoid costly delays for insurers, bodyshops and claimants.
We work had to ensure all our customers are working in the most cost effective way, and our team work hard to ensure the best solution for every party is reached.
To find out more about our professional motor claims handling platform, reach out today.