- Two thirds (65%) of car dealers experienced part supply issues in the first quarter of 2021 due in part to Brexit
- Drivers left waiting for weeks for new car parts could get parts quicker and easier by using recycled parts – known as ‘green parts’
- eBay UK is partnering with insurers to pilot a green parts solution, including Aviva and LV, to provide alternative green parts which are readily available and sustainable
- This comes as sales of green parts on eBay have risen by 24% YOY in the first seven months of 2021
Motorists left waiting for months for new car parts due to Brexit delays will be able to get recycled car parts – known as ‘green parts’ – quicker and easier thanks to a new initiative launched by eBay UK.
Nearly two thirds (65%) of car dealers experienced part supply issues in the first three months of 2021**, due in part to Brexit, which has caused some car parts to take weeks to be delivered rather than the usual few days. Online marketplace eBay UK, in partnership with insurers, Aviva and LV, aims to cut down waiting times to as little as two to three days by promoting green parts.
Many drivers are already turning to green parts to get back on the road faster. Since Brexit, eBay has seen the proportion of new car part imports decrease by approximately 2% every year over the last two years. Sales of green parts meanwhile have risen by 24% year-on-year in the first seven months of 2021.
The use of green parts is increasing within the industry as motorists are becoming more aware of the benefits of using sustainable options. Green parts are also a more affordable option for drivers. The average cost of a new part is £245, while green parts can deliver savings of up to 70% versus original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommended retail price.
In a boost for sellers too, eBay is also working with whocanfixmycar to provide access to green parts to over 8,000 garages.
As well as being a quicker alternative, these kinds of parts are also better for the environment. Research estimates that if all insurance demand had been filled by green parts in 2019, nearly 47,000 tonnes of carbon emissions*** could have been saved. For example, for 2,300 car doors sold on eBay’s green parts platform, 278 tonnes of carbon emissions could be saved.
For some repairers, like James Dunn from AW Repair, the use of green parts has slashed waiting times for customers, with green parts available in just three days compared to longer delays because of Brexit.
eBay is also working with green parts sellers to ensure that every product sold is supplied by an independently certified automotive recycler, giving buyers complete faith that their cars will be repaired with reliable parts.
But, eBay would like this number to be even higher and the use of green parts to become even more commonplace. That’s why eBay is working on a long-term programme to help the UK’s automotive sector substantially reduce its carbon footprint and the UK achieve its overall recycling targets.
Laura Richards, Senior Automotive Business Manager at eBay UK, commented: “Many drivers are unaware of the huge benefits that green parts can have when looking to get their cars repaired. The number one priority when your car breaks down is getting back on the road as quickly as possible and green parts can play a vital role in this, especially when Brexit is slowing the importing process. The environmental benefit of green parts is huge, and at eBay we’re doing all we can to offer these options to our customers and partners.”
James Dunn, Group Operations Director at AW Repair Group, said: “Recycled green parts have been a great alternative solution for us, particularly in the current climate when the manufacturer and supply of parts has been hindered. Green parts help complete repairs and return cars back to the road more quickly where an original part may be back ordered or no longer available.
“Moreover, and more importantly, is the environmental benefit. Having recently achieved the PAS2060 standard for Carbon Neutrality, this scheme actively supports our sustainability commitments.
“Having a household name like eBay leading the scheme reassures our customers when we explain recycled parts. Now 70% of our customers give their authorisation for us to source green parts. Everyone is more aware of the need to protect our planet and working with eBay provides a simple and straight forward platform for us to contribute to positive change.”
Adam Marshall, Aviva, said: “Aviva has been working closely with eBay and the VRAC to support the development of a high quality, safe, environmentally responsible and sustainable supply chain to help meet its commitment to its customers and the environment. We are working closely with all stakeholders and eBay to help co-create the future model that we hope will meet all our objectives and alleviate pressures being felt on the post COVID and post Brexit supply chains that are causing delays in many cases. We are committed to repairing our insured’s vehicles safely, at a high quality, with the utmost regard to our environmental responsibilities and as quickly as possible so that policyholders have a great claims experience.”
Chris Morgan, Director at ASM Autos, said: “As one of the companies at the forefront of using green parts we have been witness to the uplift in demand for these products in recent years. We also saw a further uplift in purchases when we left the EU, as manufacturers simply couldn’t get the products to customers. Working with eBay has been a great process, and for us it’s absolutely crucial that our customers know that our parts are certified, so we are pleased to see that this is an area which the platform is focusing on, as reliability is key in the automotive industry.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
**source - GiPA UK
- Data from the first three months of 2021, 65% of franchised dealers felt that they had experienced ‘unusual parts supply issues’ due to the pandemic, Brexit and adverse weather
*** source - eBay for Business DEFRA Waste Prevention Programme
Import figures based on eBay data from 2019 and 2021 YTD data (July)
eBay sales data points refer to the twelve month period from January - December 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.
‘Green Parts’ refers to recycled car parts, which can be used as substitutions for new parts. These parts are certified, to give motorists the reassurance that they will be reliable fixes for their cars.