The price difference is much bigger than you think
We all know used parts are cheaper than new. That is no secret. But how much cheaper? When someone tells you "you will save 50 to 70%", that sounds abstract. When they tell you "you will save 2,000 euros on a gearbox", that is concrete. And that is exactly what we are going to do in this article. We are putting real numbers on the table.
We went through prices at authorised dealers, independent parts shops, and at scrapyards across the region. The results are, to put it mildly, impressive. Savings on used parts are not small change. These are serious differences that can mean the difference between repairing the car and writing it off.
Why are used parts so much cheaper?
Before we get into the numbers, let's understand why the price gap is so wide.
A new original part goes through a long chain. The manufacturer makes it, sells it to a distributor, the distributor sells it to a shop, the shop sells it to you. At every step somebody adds their margin. Plus there are costs for packaging, storage, transport, warranty, marketing. All of that is built into the final price.
A used part skips most of that chain. A scrapyard buys a whole car for 200 to 500 euros. They strip 50 to 100 usable parts off it. Even if they sell each part for "only" 50 to 100 euros, they make a solid profit. And the buyer gets an original part for a fraction of the price of a new one.
And here is the key point. A used original part is still an original part. Same quality materials, same design, same specifications. It has just been in use for a while. And for many parts, the remaining life is more than enough for what you need.
Concrete price comparisons by part type
Here are detailed comparisons for the most sought-after parts. The prices are averages and refer to popular models (VW Golf, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Opel Astra, Renault Megane).
Engines
The engine is the most expensive single part in a car, and this is where the saving on a used part is absolutely dramatic.
- VW/Audi 2.0 TDI (BKD, BMM, BKP): New engine 4,000 to 5,500 EUR. Used tested engine: 700 to 1,200 EUR. Saving: around 3,500 EUR or 70%.
- BMW N47D20 2.0d: New engine 5,000 to 7,000 EUR. Used: 900 to 1,500 EUR. Saving: around 4,500 EUR or 75%.
- Opel 1.7 CDTI (Z17DTH): New engine 3,000 to 4,000 EUR. Used: 500 to 800 EUR. Saving: around 2,700 EUR or 70%.
- Renault 1.5 dCi (K9K): New engine 3,500 to 4,500 EUR. Used: 600 to 1,000 EUR. Saving: around 3,000 EUR or 70%.
See the pattern? With engines, a used part costs roughly 20 to 25% of the new price. The saving ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 euros. That is serious money. For many people, that is the difference between fixing the car and selling it for parts.
Gearboxes
Gearboxes are the second most expensive part, and the savings are similar to those for engines.
- Manual gearbox (6-speed, popular makes): New 1,500 to 2,500 EUR. Used: 300 to 600 EUR. Saving: around 1,500 EUR.
- DSG gearbox (VW group): New 3,500 to 5,000 EUR. Used: 700 to 1,200 EUR. Saving: around 3,000 EUR.
- ZF automatic gearbox (BMW, Audi): New 4,000 to 6,000 EUR. Used: 800 to 1,500 EUR. Saving: around 3,500 EUR.
Automatic gearboxes are especially interesting because new ones are extremely expensive. A DSG gearbox for a VW Passat that costs 4,000+ euros new can be found at a scrapyard for 800 to 1,000 euros. And if you find one with lower mileage and a service history, you have a gearbox that will serve you for years.
Turbos
Turbos are a part that fails relatively often, and new ones are quite expensive.
- Garrett turbo for 1.9/2.0 TDI: New 800 to 1,200 EUR. Used: 200 to 350 EUR. Saving: around 700 EUR.
- BMW turbo (twin scroll): New 1,200 to 1,800 EUR. Used: 300 to 500 EUR. Saving: around 1,000 EUR.
- Renault/Nissan turbo 1.5 dCi: New 700 to 1,000 EUR. Used: 150 to 300 EUR. Saving: around 550 EUR.
With turbos it is especially important to check the condition. A used turbo should have no axial or radial play on the shaft, no damage to the blades, and no signs of oil leakage. If all of that is OK, a used turbo will work just as well as a new one.
Body panels
Body panels are a category where used parts often beat new ones, because they come already painted.
- Front door (complete): New 600 to 1,000 EUR + paint 200 EUR. Used in the same colour: 120 to 250 EUR. Saving: around 600 EUR.
- Front bumper: New 200 to 400 EUR + paint 150 EUR. Used in the same colour: 50 to 120 EUR. Saving: around 300 EUR.
- Bonnet: New 300 to 500 EUR + paint 200 EUR. Used in the same colour: 60 to 150 EUR. Saving: around 400 EUR.
- Fender: New 150 to 300 EUR + paint 150 EUR. Used in the same colour: 40 to 100 EUR. Saving: around 250 EUR.
Notice that for body panels we also count the cost of painting a new part, because a new part comes in primer and has to be painted in the car's colour. A used part in the same colour eliminates that cost. Double the saving.
Electronics and electrics
- ECU (engine computer): New 500 to 1,500 EUR. Used: 100 to 300 EUR. Saving: around 700 EUR.
- Alternator: New 250 to 450 EUR. Used: 70 to 150 EUR. Saving: around 250 EUR.
- Starter motor: New 200 to 350 EUR. Used: 50 to 120 EUR. Saving: around 200 EUR.
- AC compressor: New 400 to 700 EUR. Used: 100 to 200 EUR. Saving: around 400 EUR.
- Instrument cluster: New 300 to 600 EUR. Used: 60 to 150 EUR. Saving: around 350 EUR.
Glass and lights
- Windscreen (original): New 300 to 600 EUR. Used: 80 to 150 EUR. Saving: around 350 EUR.
- Headlight (original, Xenon/LED): New 400 to 1,200 EUR. Used: 100 to 350 EUR. Saving: around 600 EUR.
- Rear light: New 100 to 250 EUR. Used: 30 to 80 EUR. Saving: around 130 EUR.
A real example: full repair after an accident
Let's put it all in context with a real example. Say someone has hit the front of your Golf 7. You need: a front bumper, a bonnet, a left fender, a left headlight, a radiator, and an AC condenser.
New original parts:
- Bumper: 350 EUR + paint 180 EUR = 530 EUR
- Bonnet: 450 EUR + paint 220 EUR = 670 EUR
- Fender: 200 EUR + paint 150 EUR = 350 EUR
- Headlight: 450 EUR
- Radiator: 250 EUR
- AC condenser: 200 EUR
- TOTAL: 2,450 EUR (parts only, no labour)
Used parts:
- Bumper in the same colour: 80 EUR
- Bonnet in the same colour: 100 EUR
- Fender in the same colour: 60 EUR
- Headlight: 120 EUR
- Radiator: 60 EUR
- AC condenser: 50 EUR
- TOTAL: 470 EUR
Saving: 1,980 EUR! Almost 2,000 euros difference. With that money you can pay the mechanic's labour and still have enough left over for a holiday. Or at least for a very nice dinner.
When used parts do NOT pay off
In the interest of being honest, we have to say there are situations where used parts are not the best choice.
- When the new part is cheap - if the new part costs 30 euros and the used one 15, the 15 euro saving is not worth the risk. Just buy the new one
- When the part is safety critical - things like engine mounts or structural body parts that have been in an accident. Do not cut corners here
- When you have no warranty - a used part with no warranty at all is gambling. If you save 200 euros but the part does not work, you have saved nothing
- When the saving is minimal - sometimes the difference between a new aftermarket part and a used original is negligible. In that case, the new aftermarket part is the better choice
How to maximise the saving
Here are a few tricks for even bigger savings.
Buy in sets
If you need several parts, look for them from the same seller. You will get a volume discount and save on delivery.
Be flexible with the make
Many parts are shared across several models. An ECU for a Seat Leon is the same as for a Golf 5 with the same engine. A bumper for a Skoda Octavia sometimes fits a VW Jetta. Widen your search to related models and you can find cheaper options.
Buy ahead of time
If you know you will soon need an alternator (because yours is starting to show its age), buy it while you have time to shop around. Panic buying when the car has stopped always costs more because you have no time to compare prices.
Use a platform
When you send a request via PoDi, you get offers from several suppliers at once. That automatically gives you a view of the price range and lets you pick the best offer. No effort, no driving around, no phone calls.
Annual saving for the average driver
The average driver spends around 600 to 1,000 euros a year on car repairs and maintenance. If at least 300 to 400 euros of that goes on parts, switching to used parts can save 150 to 280 euros a year. That is not a huge sum, but over 5 years that is 750 to 1,400 euros. Enough for a decent set of winter tyres.
And if you have an older car that needs bigger repairs, the savings can be dramatically larger. Swapping an engine on an older car with a used engine instead of a new one can save 3,000+ euros in one go.
How much you actually keep in your pocket
The numbers do not lie. Used parts save serious money. From 50% to 80% saving on big parts like engines and gearboxes, down to 40 to 60% on smaller parts like alternators and sensors. And once it all adds up over a year, the difference is more than noticeable.
The key is to shop smart. From verified suppliers, with a warranty, with the right compatibility information. Do that, and used parts are the most logical choice for most repairs.
Want to see how much you can save on your next repair? Send a request for the part you need and compare offers. You might be pleasantly surprised.