The European automotive sector is one of the continent’s most resource-intensive industries. Percentage-wide it represents 19% of the EU’s demand for steel, 10% for plastics, a considerable share for aluminium (42% for all transport equipment), copper (6% for automotive parts), rubber (65% of the production of rubber articles) and glass.
With 660,000 inhabitants, Luxembourg faces significant environmental challenges in this sector. The use of used car parts is a concrete solution to reduce our environmental impact while providing significant cost savings.
What are used car parts?
A used car part is a component from an end-of-life vehicle (ELV) that’s intended for reuse. It comes from a vehicle processed in an authorised treatment facility. Each part is decontaminated: fluids, battery, and potentially dangerous elements are removed. This is a crucial step in the process. Vehicles that are not depolluted are considered hazardous waste.
Specialist technicians identify reusable parts, carefully disassemble them, test them and then clean them. Each part is labelled with information concerning its origin to ensure full traceability. The process ensures that only parts in perfect condition are put back into circulation.
Tip: How can you make sure a part is reusable?
Ask for details of its origin and traceability. A reliable part will be supplied with information about the original vehicle (make, model, year, mileage). Ensure it has passed quality control tests. All used parts from Foyer’s partner network are photographed and documented.
Foyer-GPA: an innovative partnership for more sustainable mobility
Foyer has partnered with GPA to make getting reliable used parts easier. GPA is a recognised automotive recycling specialist. The company processes up to 100 vehicles and produces 2,000 parts per day.
With Foyer, your old car can help repair a vehicle belonging to another insured Luxembourger! Most of our customers’ vehicles declared as ELV after an accident are entrusted to our partner. Our partner then recovers reusable parts. Foyer has priority over these parts, which are offered to our network of partner garages so they can be used to repair other vehicles.
Foyer offers several benefits to customers who want to use this sustainable option:
- Reduced excess
Or
- Pluxee gift cards to spend at over 550 + retailers.
Good to know: Foyer car insurance, your best bet for responsible driving.
By taking out our car insurance, you’ll automatically have access to our network of partner garages who offer used parts. A choice that Foyer encourages through different policies adapted to your needs.
Thanks to the Foyer-GPA partnership, you can save money and help the planet when having your vehicle repaired. By giving quality used parts a second lease of life, you’ll be helping to reduce waste and preserve natural resources.
Quality issues: a legitimate concern, but there’s no need to worry
Studies conducted with Foyer’s customers reveal a certain reluctance regarding the quality of used parts. Yet these used parts are as reliable as new parts for several reasons:
- The same manufacturer – they are identical to those used in your vehicle.
- They have been subjected to rigorous visual and functional tests.
- They are usually from recent or damaged vehicles, but are not damaged pieces, they are in perfect condition.
- The used parts will match the manufacturer, model and year of the vehicle due for repair.
The most common parts include body components (bumper, doors, fenders, rims, hood, roof, tailgate, etc.), optics, lights, certain mechanical components (engine, gearbox, alternator, transmission components, steering rack, lock, ABS, etc.) and cabin components (seat belts, fasteners, seats, window lifters, speedometer, etc.) Particular attention is paid to safety-related parts. They are only put back into circulation if they meet strict criteria.
All parts offered as part of the Foyer-GPA partnership are guaranteed for life.
Environmental benefits: the statistics speak for themselves
Choosing a used part helps protect our planet.
- Every reused part reduces waste. In Luxembourg, thanks to the recovery of 97% of end-of-life vehicles, landfills avoid thousands of tonnes of waste.
- Manufacturing a new part requires the extraction of raw materials, some of which are becoming rare. For example, 90% of the world’s copper reserves will be used up in 25 years.
- A used part generates on average 80% less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than a new part.
Good to know: a money-saving option
According to data from our partner GPA, used parts are on average 50-90% cheaper than manufacturers’ new parts.
The automotive industry as part of a circular economy
The use of used parts is part of the circular economy. It’s the opposite of the traditional “extract-make-discard” model. For the automotive industry, this comprises four main actions, often called the “4Rs“: Recondition, Repair, Reuse, Recycle.
In Luxembourg, this cycle is regulated by law. When your vehicle reaches the end of its life, you must hand it over to an authorised centre. It will issue you with a certificate of destruction, the only acceptable document when you cancel the vehicle’s registration. This procedure means your former vehicle will be processed in compliance with environmental standards.
The three key takeaways:
- Used parts are original parts that are tested and guaranteed for life, and cost up to 90% less than new parts.
- Choosing a used part supports a circular economy and combats harmful waste.
- The Foyer-GPA partnership supports a short-circuit economy in Luxembourg. Parts from damaged vehicles are used to repair other insured cars.
