According to recent research by eBay, UK motorists saved £99 million in 2022 by choosing used vehicle parts and accessories over brand-new ones.
The findings were released as eBay relaunched its Certified Recycled programme, which sells recycled vehicle parts from 81 certified sellers. The company says that its Certified Recycled parts can be up to 70% cheaper compared to OEM parts RRP and provide peace of mind to shoppers since all parts are vetted and warranted. Body parts feature a 12-month warranty, while mechanical parts come with three months of protection. These parts are only supplied from end-of-life vehicles from approved sellers, ensuring they are recycled and not disposed of improperly.
Besides being cost-effective, choosing used parts and accessories also has an environmentally friendly impact. eBay revealed that UK shoppers who bought used car parts and accessories on its platform last year saved more than 16,000 tonnes of CO2e and prevented 3,000,000 kg of waste from ending up in landfills. These savings resulted from the millions of used parts sold across the eBay site last year, including almost one million exterior parts and accessories (such as mirrors, bumpers, and door handles), over 400,000 lighting parts, and over 130,000 engine-related parts.
The Certified Recycled programme offers motorists added peace of mind since parts are sold by businesses that have been checked and certified by the Vehicle Recyclers Association (VRA). They are subject to an annual audit of their processes and policies, meaning any part listed can be traced to an end-of-life vehicle and has been accurately identified, recorded, tested, and graded.
Dr Tony Tong, Head of Automotive at eBay UK, said:
“Certified Recycled parts can be a huge benefit to customers and businesses alike. With parts delays, rising costs and more focus than ever on making the right choices to reduce our carbon footprint, these parts have the potential to help save money, time and the environment.
We’re making it as easy as possible for people to find these parts, and to understand the potential benefits they bring, in the hope that motorists will increasingly choose Certified Recycled parts as alternatives to buying brand new items.”
The first Certified Recycled part was listed on eBay in June 2020, and the marketplace now hosts 81 certified sellers across the UK. Sales of the parts continue to grow, with an increase of more than 10% between 2021 and 2022. To showcase the potential benefits of switching to Certified Recycled parts fitment for everyone from individual motorists to fleet customers and bodyshops, eBay has produced a White Paper that takes an in-depth look at the industry.
According to eBay research, 16.1% of motorists often buy recycled parts to save money, while 14% choose used items to reduce their carbon emissions. Some car owners prefer to buy parts themselves, while others would prefer to buy recycled parts from a professional service centre. This highlights the important role that garages and workshops can play in changing buyer behaviour.
eBay’s research shows that using Certified Recycled parts is not only cost-effective but also helps to reduce the environmental impact of car parts. With the potential to save motorists money, time, and the environment, the marketplace hopes that more drivers will consider choosing recycled parts over brand-new ones in the future.
