Commercial vehicles are the bloodstream of the economy
Every product you used today, from the coffee you drank to the phone in your hand, was on a truck at some point. Commercial vehicles are absolutely key to keeping the economy running, and when they stand still, money is lost. That is why fast and affordable sourcing of parts for trucks and vans is so important.
The problem is that parts for commercial vehicles are extremely expensive. A new truck engine can cost 15,000 to 30,000 euros. A gearbox? 5,000 to 12,000 euros. Even seemingly simple parts like a side mirror can cost 500+ euros new from the manufacturer. When you have a fleet of 10 or 20 vehicles, maintenance costs can be astronomical.
This is exactly where used parts come in as a saviour. Not as a compromise, but as a smart business decision that can save thousands of euros a year with no sacrifice in quality or safety.
Differences between passenger and commercial vehicle parts
Before we go into detail, it helps to understand why commercial vehicle parts are a special category. It is not just about bigger dimensions. The differences are fundamental.
Commercial vehicles are built for durability and loads that passenger cars never see. A truck engine can cover a million kilometres with proper maintenance. That means components are more rugged, but also more expensive to make. When you buy a used part from a truck that has covered 500,000 km, that part often still has the same again in service life ahead of it.
Another important difference is standardisation. While passenger cars have hundreds of different models and variants, commercial vehicles are usually available in a smaller number of configurations. That can make finding used parts easier because the chance that a part from one truck will fit another of the same model is higher.
The third difference is price. When a new truck part costs 5,000 euros and a used one 1,500, the difference is much bigger in absolute terms than with passenger cars. For transport companies that spend tens of thousands of euros a year on maintenance, switching to used parts where it is safe to do so can mean the difference between a profitable and an unprofitable operation.
Which parts are most often bought used
Not every truck part is bought used. Some are worth it, some are not, and some are always bought new for safety reasons. Here is a breakdown by category:
Engine parts
Complete engines are one of the most sought-after used parts for trucks. An engine for a MAN TGA or Mercedes Actros can cost 20,000+ euros new, while a used, tested engine can be found for 5,000 to 8,000 euros. Turbochargers are also an excellent used buy, especially for models that use the same turbos across multiple generations.
Replacement oil and water pumps, AC compressors, starters and alternators are also worth buying used. These parts are often in great shape because on commercial vehicles they serve longer than on passenger cars.
Gearboxes and drivetrain
Truck gearboxes are extremely expensive new. A used ZF or Eaton gearbox can save 50 to 70% compared with new. Drive shafts, differentials and axles are also parts that buy excellently used because they are mechanically rugged and last a long time.
Cab and bodywork
Doors, fenders, bumpers, headlights, mirrors, driver's seats (especially pneumatic seats which are very expensive new), instrument clusters and trim. All of these parts buy excellently used and can significantly cut repair costs after an accident or damage.
Electrical and electronic systems
The ECU (engine control unit), tachograph, navigation systems, switches, wiring harnesses. Truck electronics are expensive, and used parts often work perfectly. Just make sure the ECU is compatible with your engine and not locked to another vehicle.
Suspension and steering
Air springs, shock absorbers, leaf springs, steering racks, power steering pumps. These parts wear out, but since they are heavier-duty on trucks, used examples often still have a long service life ahead.
Most popular brands and parts availability
Availability of used parts varies by make and model. Here is an overview of the most common commercial vehicle brands on our market:
Mercedes-Benz (Actros, Atego, Sprinter) - Excellent availability. Mercedes is the most popular truck brand in the region, so the supply of used parts is large. The Sprinter as a delivery vehicle is so widespread that parts can be found without trouble.
MAN (TGA, TGX, TGL) - Very good availability. MAN is the second most popular truck and parts are not in short supply, especially for the TGA series which sold in huge numbers.
DAF (XF, CF, LF) - Good availability, especially for the XF and CF series. DAF is popular in international transport, so parts can be sourced from abroad too.
Volvo (FH, FM, FL) - Good availability. Volvo trucks are known for durability, so used parts are often in excellent condition.
Iveco (Stralis, EuroCargo, Daily) - Solid availability. The Iveco Daily is one of the most popular light commercial vehicles, so parts are easy to find.
Scania (R series, P series) - Moderate availability. Scania is a premium brand and there are fewer parts than for Mercedes or MAN, but they can be found.
Renault (Magnum, Premium, Master) - Solid availability, especially for the Master which is very popular as a delivery vehicle.
Light commercial vehicles and vans
We should not forget the light commercial vehicle segment. Vans like the VW Crafter, Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, Fiat Ducato, Renault Master and Iveco Daily account for a huge share of commercial traffic. The used parts market for these vehicles is also very well developed.
An advantage of vans is that they share many components with passenger vehicles of the same brand. The VW Crafter uses some of the same parts as the VW Transporter. The Mercedes Sprinter shares electronics with some Mercedes passenger models. That widens the base of available parts and often cuts prices.
The most sought-after used parts for vans are: sliding doors (because they are used and worn out most often), driver's seats, turbochargers (especially for the 2.0 and 2.2 diesel engines which are known to have issues), injectors, EGR valves and DPF filters.
How to order used parts for trucks
When you search for a used truck part, you need to be more precise than with passenger cars. Here is the information you should have ready:
- Exact make and model of the vehicle (e.g. MAN TGA 18.480)
- Year of manufacture and chassis number (VIN)
- Engine type (engine code, e.g. D2066 LF01)
- Gearbox type (if relevant)
- OEM number of the part you need (if you know it)
- Photograph of the old part (if possible)
The more information you provide, the higher the chance you will get exactly what you need first time. With trucks, compatibility is especially important because the same model can have different engine, gearbox and equipment configurations depending on the order.
On the PoDi platform you can send a request for any commercial vehicle part. Provide all the details above and our supplier network will offer you available options with prices.
Importing used truck parts
The Croatian used parts market for trucks is not always enough for every need. Fortunately, the European market is large and importing from EU countries is relatively simple. Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Lithuania are particularly good sources of used parts for commercial vehicles.
When importing from EU countries there is no customs duty, but you have to be careful about VAT and paperwork. If you buy from a registered trader with a valid EU VAT number, the transaction can be VAT-exempt in the country of origin (reverse charge mechanism). Make sure to consult an accountant about the tax implications.
For parts from outside the EU (e.g. from Turkey or Serbia), expect customs duty and import VAT which can significantly increase the final price. It often pays to spend a bit more for a part from the EU rather than dealing with customs procedures.
Safety and responsibility
When it comes to commercial vehicles, safety carries even more weight than with passenger cars. A 40-tonne truck travelling at 80 km/h on a motorway has to be technically sound. There is no room for compromise.
That is why braking components (pads, discs, hoses) for trucks should always be bought new. The same advice applies to steering components that are safety-critical. For all other parts, used is perfectly acceptable with proper checks.
Before fitting any used part on a commercial vehicle, check that the part has no cracks, signs of corrosion or excessive wear. If possible, test the part before fitting. And always keep receipts and documentation because you may need them at a roadworthiness test or in case of an inspection.
A strategy for fleet managers
Used parts for trucks and commercial vehicles are not just a way to save money. They are a smart business strategy that can significantly cut the operating costs of your transport or delivery company. The key is to buy from reliable sources, to check quality, and to know which parts can be bought used and which cannot.
If you manage a fleet of commercial vehicles and want to optimise maintenance costs, send us a request for the parts you need. Our supplier network covers all the major commercial vehicle brands and we can help you find quality used parts at competitive prices.