Stuttgart, Germany  - Repairing a defect in your car not only means expensive costs, but you may find that the part that needs replacement is unavailable or costs a small fortune. Motorists tend to overlook that in many cases, recycled or reconditioned car parts are a real alternative.

Reconditioned parts are not as risky as used parts and not as expensive as an original, new replacement part. Reconditioning of defective or used parts is often undertaken by professionals at the firms that originally manufactured the accessory.

"Our experience is that more and more workshops are asking for just such parts," says Ulrich Dilchert from the German auto industry association (ZIV) based in Bonn.

For years, some of the classic reconditioned parts included alternators, gearboxes, entire engines, starters and components of the fuel injection system. Lately, electronic engine management systems have also been included.

Reconditioning is simple in theory, but is complicated in practise.

"Mostly the metal parts keep their exterior while all the wear-and-tear components inside are replaced," says Stephan Kraus, spokesman of the major German car parts supplier Bosch.

It is a bit more complicated when it comes to overhauled engines. Such engines can only be described as such, if they have been overhauled according to factory specifications by the original manufacturer. In a rebuild, often only certain parts have been replaced.

The main argument for reconditioned parts is that they come with a guarantee from the original producer and are about one-third cheaper than an original, new part, says Bosch's Stephan Kraus.

Overhauled engines generally cost about half the price of a new engine, said Volker Schittenhelm, who represents the German association of motor engine replacements
(VMI).

It is also a win-win situation for producers who can resell an originally-produced, reconditioned accessory. Bosch currently offers 5,200 different parts in its exchange programme and sells some 2.5 million exchanged parts annually.

In addition, reconditioned parts are good for the environment. In comparison to the latest products, the reconditioned parts save 2,200 tons of steel annually and 1,000 tons fewer of carbon dioxide are spewed into the atmosphere. (dpa)