Study Reveals Environmental and Cost Benefits of Using Used Car Parts in Repairs

Research highlights that repairing damaged parts emits the least CO2, while using used parts is far more sustainable than new ones, prompting policy changes in Germany.

• A study by Allianz and UK-based organizations found that repairing damaged car parts results in the lowest CO2 emissions compared to using used or new parts.
• Using a new car part increases CO2 emissions by 157% compared to a used part, primarily due to energy-intensive steel production.
• German insurers, long critical of high new part costs, have embraced used parts for repairs, with Allianz permitting their use for non-safety-critical components for about a year.
• The research analyzed 33 steps in the car repair process, including transportation and packaging, to assess environmental impacts.
• The use of used car parts is already common in the UK, reflecting a broader shift toward sustainability in the automotive repair industry.

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