Better than New? Why Certified Original Parts Are More Reliable and Sustainable!
🔍 1. Quality: Original Parts Are Precisely Matched to Your Vehicle
Each original part is specifically designed, tested, and approved for a particular vehicle model.
This means:
- Exact Fit: No modifications, no improvising.
- Material Quality: Exactly the same specifications as a new vehicle part.
- Long-term Testing: Manufacturers must demonstrate durability and safety according to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) standards.
A study by the ZDK (German Central Association of the Automotive Trade, 2023) showed that aftermarket parts have on average a 37% higher failure rate within the first 18 months compared to tested original parts.
This mainly affects safety-critical components like brakes, suspension parts, or electronic modules.
⚙️ 2. Aftermarket Parts Often Do Not Meet Standards
Third-party manufacturers are not subject to the same production standards as vehicle manufacturers.
Although there are EU regulations (e.g., ECE-R90 for brake pads or E-mark certifications), many low-cost producers bypass these standards through offshore production and lack of quality assurance.
🔹 TÜV Süd found in a 2022 sample that more than 40% of tested low-cost aftermarket parts from East Asia did not comply with European safety requirements.
Especially critical were electronic retrofit parts (e.g., sensors, control units) that caused compatibility issues and even system errors in the vehicle’s onboard network.
♻️ 3. Sustainability: Used Original Parts Save Massive CO₂ Emissions
The reuse of used original parts is gaining increasing importance within the EU’s circular economy framework.
According to the European Automotive Recyclers Association (ECAR, 2024), each reused car part saves on average:
- 85% material embedded energy,
- 70% CO₂ emissions, and
- 90% water consumption,
compared to manufacturing a new replacement part.
For example:
A used, certified original bumper produces on average only 12 kg CO₂, whereas a new aftermarket bumper accounts for over 75 kg CO₂ in production and transport.
This means: Buying used original parts reduces your ecological footprint and actively supports the European circular economy.
💰 4. Cost-effectiveness: Longevity Beats Low Price
Many buyers are misled by the seemingly low price of aftermarket parts.
However, a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis shows that used original parts are significantly more economical in the long run.
A comparison (data basis: Auto-Veritas Analysis 2025, 1,000 orders):
| Component | Average Price Aftermarket (€) | Average Price Used Original (€) | Durability (estimated) | Cost per Year of Use |
| Control Arm | 45 | 60 | +65% Longer | –25% |
| ABS Sensor | 30 | 50 | +90% Longer | –32% |
| Shock Absorber | 70 | 90 | +60% Longer | –28% |
Even with a slightly higher purchase price, used original parts are usually more cost effective than third-party aftermarket parts after 2 to 3 years.
🧠 5. Safety: Original Parts Are Integral to Vehicle Systems
Modern vehicles are highly interconnected.
Control units, sensors, driver assistance systems, and mechanical components communicate with each other.
An aftermarket part that only visually fits can cause electronic errors.
Practical examples:
- Retrofit PDC sensors cause error messages in the vehicle network.
- Uncalibrated steering sensors lead to disabled driver assistance systems.
- Cheap brake parts cause uneven wear and extended braking distances.
The DEKRA 2024 statistics confirm:
Vehicles repaired with original parts had 48% fewer complaints during the main inspection than those repaired with aftermarket parts.
🧾 6. Traceability and Warranty
Used original parts from reputable sources (e.g., certified parts dealers or dismantling companies) are clearly identifiable.
Each part carries:
- an OEM part number,
- manufacturer’s logo,
- production date.
This ensures not only traceability but also compatibility.
At quality parts dealers like Auto-Veritas, all parts are:
- digitally recorded before sale,
- verified with original number matching,
- and guaranteed to be fully functional upon delivery.
By contrast, aftermarket parts often have no clear origin, lack quality documentation, and frequently come with no warranty beyond the legal minimum period.
🌍 7. Ecological Responsibility & EU Policy
The EU is actively advancing the Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI), which will enforce stricter product lifecycle rules starting in 2027.
Original parts with documented reuse are considered environmentally preferred products.
The European Commission projects the market for reused vehicle parts to grow by over 60% by 2030.
This growth is driven by:
- Manufacturers expanding circular economy strategies (e.g., Renault “Refactory”, BMW “Circular Economy”)
- Workshops increasingly using tested used parts,
- and consumers adopting more sustainable consumption habits.
🛠️ 8. Trust Through Experience: Auto-Veritas as an Example
Auto-Veritas stands for tested original parts with traceable origins.
All parts come from European vehicles, are documented, cleaned, and digitally recorded.
Each part receives a digital history:
- Manufacturer and vehicle model
- Mileage / condition
- Photo documentation
- Compatibility check with OEM database
With this, Auto-Veritas combines the reliability of an original part with the sustainability of the reuse market, offering customers an alternative that is both ecological and economical.
💬 9. Conclusion: Used Original Beats New Cheap
| Criterion | Used Original Parts | New Aftermarket Parts |
| Quality | OEM-approved | Variable |
| Fit Accuracy | 100% | Often requires rework |
| Durability | High | Medium to low |
| Safety | OEM Standard | Not guaranteed |
| Sustainability | Very high | Low |
| Price-Performance Ratio | Superior | Initially cheaper |
📦 About Auto-Veritas
Auto-Veritas specializes in trading tested, used original car parts.
Our goal is to make sustainable mobility affordable through quality, transparency, and responsibility.
Discover tested original parts at Auto-Veritas in our shop: auto-veritas.com