Insurers are authorising the use of second hand ‘Green’ parts for customer’s repairs

[Cocijo]

I came across this on a friends car repairs. She had a none fault accident where the third party pulled out on her.
During the repairs we visited to look at the progress and found that the garage were using second hand parts (in this case a door and mirror - plus other items). She wasn’t told about this before the car went in for repairs.
We contacted her insurer who is a very reputable mainstream company and they told us that - yes, they authorise use of second hand ‘Green’ parts in order to keep costs down. This is also built into the policy wording (that very few actually read fully - myself included).
I’ve made more enquiries and to my surprise, this practice is now quite widespread.
If you are unfortunate enough to have to make a claim on your policy and have your car repaired, you could also face your new car having second-hand parts fitted.
I wondered if any members have also experienced this or are indeed aware that this is the current practice in many cases?

 

[Susanna]

Personally, I would have thought that using secondhand parts is a good thing. Recycling. I had my offside mirror completely smashed. Don’t ask! I looked on eBay, and bought one via a vehicle recycling company from a car that had been written off. The vehicle damage was to the front and near side only, and was the same year and colour as mine. Saved money and time over ordering a new one.

As long as the parts being fitted are in perfect condition, I can’t see an issue.

 

[Cocijo]

I think that is a reasonable view.
My biggest concern is/was that the process was by no means transparent.
If used or none-OEM or green parts - or whatever they are called are used then this needs to be much clearer and up front, so customers can make a choice - ideally before buying the policy.

There is also the potential big issue of maintaining warranty - will the manufacturers support and uphold a warranty for repairs using second hand parts?

I’m still not sure how most people would react to having second hand parts (even in good condition) fitted to their new car following a claim.

 

[Gadget Geek]

A few years ago, my Kona was off the road for 6 weeks why they waited for a new light cluster to come from Korea. The 3rd party insurers had to pay for 6 weeks of car hire. No wonder they want to use 2nd hand parts, and I'd have got my car back sooner.

 

[gazza487]

Many many years ago I was sat waiting for some work to be done in a Rover dealer (that’s how long ago). A guy came in who was chatting and worked for the parts arm of a company - can’t remember who but it was oem spares. He confidently spoke of buying a new part in dealer branded boxes etc would actually be a reman due to their environmental claims - specifically in this instance an injector.

Not experienced myself but again from the rover days I seem to recall them authorising second hand for things like rear screens that would otherwise have written relatively new cars off (at the time) due to lack of supply before China supply came online.

 

[Alb]

This has been going on for donkey's years!
I raised the issue when Esure changed their terms and conditions to allow it in 2011.

 

[Kithmo]

AFAIK this has always been the case.

 

[Cocijo]

I had no idea until recently.

 

[Silver estate]

I’d rather have a second hand genuine mirror unit than a cheap rubbish pattern part new one

 

[andi]

We have just had our MG4 repaired, the garage stated they were not allowed to use second hand parts.
Personally I'm not bothered.

 

[Lovemyev]

Long wait times on body parts have surly contributed towards this idea, plus cost of course !.
Imagine your car has been stuck in the bodyshop for months on end and the dealer is still awaiting 2 or 3 parts to complete the repair.
Then you discover that the parts you require are available from a car that has been judged as a total loss.
They can be shipped by next day delivery and then you can have your car returned.
So. would you wish to wait even longer for the brand new parts from China ( maybe ? ) or settle for the recycled parts and have your car back ?.
I would if the same may happen on mechanical parts next ?‍ .

 

[andi]

If this is the case surely premiums should come down

 

[Lovemyev]

I spotted an article by the car insurance company “Esure” yesterday, it reported that as a result of the introduction of the 30 to 20 Mph limit in Wales, it had played a part in reducing insurance premiums ?.
Has anybody witnessed this reduction ?.
I don’t know anybody who is paying less this year than last year myself ?.

 

[andi]

Tax under another name

 

[Kithmo]

We have just had our MG4 repaired, the garage stated they were not allowed to use second hand parts.
Personally I'm not bothered.

Is that an insurance repair ?

 

[andi]

Yes it was,

 

[tsedge]

I think it is clear from the discussion that this depends on the insurer but isn't a new thing per se.

It seems pretty reasonable to me, especially as most of the parts on an EV are not consumables.

As a car ages, it becomes more and more reasonable to do. Why should a 5 year old car receive new parts?

I doubt we'll ever see lower premiums.

 

[Tig170]

Availability of parts, at least in the UK is not an issue, my dealer has always got what I need - next day. Its all very very reasonable too. e.g. a new drivers outer door trim along the bottom edge of the window (I damaged the rubber with a pressure washer) was £12.96+VAT

 

[tsedge]

I believe something like 98% of common parts are available next day in the UK. Of course, there's still a chance somebody is in the 2%.

I had to wait a week and half for a new footrest to be available recently - this is an uncommon part.

Some items have taken a lot longer in the past, eg windscreens and my CCU replacement took around 3 months to arrive.

But these seem to be exceptions these days.

 

[Lovemyev]

In 2020 we waited 3 - 4 weeks for a handbrake actuator motor and a rear brake calliper, both unavailable in the U.K.
The car was unusable of course.
Both had to be shipped direct from China.
Total price of both parts, £160.00.
I am not convinced the situation has improved greatly TBH.
I was speaking to the parts department at my local dealer only 6 months ago and he said :-
“See that row of cars over there ( six ) we are waiting for £8,000 worth of parts to fix that lot”.