Own an MOT centre, work as a motor mechanic or are you a professional in the industry? Have you ever considered using green parts?

Green parts, genuine used parts, reclaimed parts…whatever you call them, there are three things you need to know if you’re considering buying them.

If you’re unfamiliar, green parts are non-safety related OEM parts, pulled from end-of-life vehicle by vehicle recyclers. Think headlamps, body panels, bumpers and grilles. In the current economic climate they’re a great option available in terms of quality and price, given that they’re designed and manufactured to a vehicle’s exact specification and cost up to 75% less than their new equivalent.

1. Quality and grading

Not all green parts are created equal, and not all vehicle recyclers follow green parts industry standards. Make sure you’re sourcing your used parts from reputable suppliers who follow VRA grading protocol.

Since body panels are the most commonly requested type of green part, here’s how they’re graded:

Grade A: Prep and paint
Grade A parts are the highest quality. There might be one area of damage and it will need 1-2 hours of prep work, but there will be no damage to swage lines, fixing brackets or integral parts.

Grade B: Minor repair and repaint
Grade B’s need a little more love. There might be 1-2 areas of damage and there may be small damage on swage lines.

Grade C: Significant repair and repaint
Grade C are the most damaged types of part that will require the most preparation, but the quality is reflected in the price, so if you’ve got time on your hands and are after a bargain, they could be the answer.

2. Warranties

The length of warranty you’ll get on green parts depends on the type.

If you’re sourcing green parts from a VRA certified supplier, you’ll get twelve months for non-mechanical and non-electrical target parts such as external body panels, and three months for all other parts including mechanical, electrical, batteries and high voltage components. That means if the part fails for any reason other than wear and tear or collision, you can send it straight back.

Always double check with your supplier what their warranty is.

3. Delivery

Depending on whether a part is on the shelf and ready to be shipped, or still on the vehicle, your delivery time may vary. If you need a part for a customer fast, it’s best to check that it doesn’t need to be dismantled first, so you can get the part you need as quickly as possible.

 

Could you use green parts in your next job? Click here to learn how we help clients get policyholders back on the road, fast.