Remanufactured Parts: Cheaper, but Are They Safe for Your Car?

Remanufactured parts are used car components that have undergone a restoration and repair process to return them to a condition similar to that of a new part. These parts may come from scrapped vehicles or simply from components that have reached the end of their useful life.

Often, finding new parts for older vehicles can be challenging, whereas remanufactured parts are usually available. Virtually any car part can be remanufactured, from engines and gearboxes to alternators, turbos, and electronic components.

The quality of a remanufactured part can vary depending on the restoration process and the supplier. It is crucial to choose a reliable supplier and ensure that the part is in perfect condition before installing it in your vehicle.

The initiative 'Choose Quality, Choose Confidence' (CQCC), which brings together around twenty top-tier component manufacturers affiliated with Sernauto, advocates for these remanufactured parts as a cost-saving measure, a contribution to sustainability, and a quality assurance that contributes to the vehicle's proper technical condition and, consequently, road safety.

These parts, also known as exchange products, are produced according to the same standards as original parts and must undergo rigorous functional and quality tests. "This ensures high quality and reliability at lower prices, in addition to the warranty provided by the manufacturer," assures CQCC.

The remanufacturing process must be carried out in certified plants. Thus, the entire industrial remanufacturing process is conducted in accordance with the strict standards applied to original equipment. "It is advisable that wear parts in remanufactured products be replaced with new high-quality parts, while the rest of the components undergo checks to ensure they meet the exact permitted tolerances and, if necessary, are reconditioned or replaced with new parts. This guarantees high quality and reliability in remanufactured products," explains the initiative.

Regarding the advantages of opting for remanufactured parts, CQCC cites the more economical nature of these parts, which can be about 30% cheaper than brand-new parts without compromising quality.

Environmentally, they also contribute to sustainability by reducing environmental impact and promoting circularity through material reuse. "This translates into saving thousands of tonnes of metals, also saving the emission of thousands of tonnes of CO2 that would have been generated by producing new metal parts from scratch," concludes the initiative.