Remanufactured

When it comes to replacing a part on a vehicle, there are three possible options: buying a new part, opting for a second-hand part or choosing a standard exchange part.

Standard exchange is a common practice in the automotive sector. It involves replacing a used part with a reconditioned or refurbished part. The main advantage is access to parts of equivalent quality to new parts, but at a cost that is generally halved. This makes it a cost-effective option for people looking for an alternative to buying new parts of equivalent quality.

Who are we, who is this guide for and why should you trust us?

The aim of this guide to standard vehicle exchange is to make standard vehicle exchange more accessible to a wider audience. In plain language, it is aimed at automotive professionals, journalists and content producers, as well as anyone interested in having an up-to-date, factual overview of the subject.

This guide is mainly written by the Distrimotor team. Distrimotor has been selling standard exchange parts since 1999.

• Date of first publication: 26/07/2020
• Updated on: 12/02/2025
• Main writer : Alexandre Harbin, founder and director of Distrimotor, a player in the standard exchange market since 1997 and working in the automotive industry since 1996.
• Technical proofreader: Gilles Valentin, car mechanic and head of standard exchange after-sales service since 2015.
• Legal proofreading (regulatory framework section): Denis Verel, lawyer. Last proofread on 4 February 2025.

What is standard exchange?

Machining a standard exchange cylinder head

When a vehicle part fails or wears out, it is often necessary to replace it. Traditionally, this involved buying a new part from the manufacturer or an authorised dealer, which can be costly, especially for top-of-the-range makes or older models.

Standard exchange is an alternative solution that involves replacing a worn part with a reconditioned one. This practice is common for certain mechanical parts, such as engines and gearboxes, which contain wear elements and durable parts, allowing them to be reconditioned.

The parts used in standard exchange generally come from vehicles that have been taken out of service or involved in an accident. They are carefully inspected, repaired, reconditioned and tested before being offered for exchange.

Standard exchange is based on an exchange of spare parts, often between a private individual and a garage. When a mechanical part is faulty, it is returned to a professional offering standard exchange, who sends back the same reconditioned, refurbished part.

What is the difference between used, new and standard exchange parts?

A second-hand part is a part that has already been used, often found in car boot sales. Although they are in working order, they are often worn and usually offer only a very limited warranty (3 months, for example), or none at all. The risk of wear or breakage is higher than with a new part or a standard exchange.

New parts are manufactured by approved equipment manufacturers such as Garrett, IHI, KKK, Lizarte, Bosch, Delphi, Valeo and Mitsubishi. As their name suggests, they have never been used and come with a warranty that varies according to the type of product.

Standard exchange parts are used parts refurbished to strict specifications. Refurbished parts must meet the manufacturer's specifications.

The difference between refurbished and reconditioned?

Refurbishment and reconditioning are two distinct processes, both in terms of methods and the quality of the end product. This applies to major parts such as gearboxes, turbos, engines and cylinder heads.

• A reconditioned part is one that has been partially or completely disassembled, cleaned, and where some damaged components may have been replaced before being reinstalled.
• A refurbished part (standard exchange) has been restored to the manufacturer's original factory specification, through a rigorous and audited process. As a result, refurbished parts offer levels of performance, reliability and service life that are equal to or better than those of original parts.

For example, reconditioned engines must comply with a specific standard. Decree no. 78-993 of 4 October 1978, amended by decree no. 80-709 of 5 September 1980, states that The term ‘standard exchange’ may only be used to designate, with a view to sale, an engine, component or sub-assembly fitted or intended to be fitted to a motor vehicle, as a replacement for a used component which is the subject of a trade-in, if the engine, component or subassembly supplied, whether identical or equivalent, is new or has been reconditioned in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, either by the manufacturer or in a workshop whose production and inspection facilities guarantee its original characteristics.

What are the advantages of using the standard exchange concept?

Refurbished engine components

Lower cost than new

There are many advantages to standard exchange.

Carrying out repairs to your vehicle can be very expensive, due to the cost of parts and labour hours. As it is difficult to influence labour hours, savings can be made on the price of parts.

Refurbished mechanical parts can cost up to half as much as a new part. This is the simplest shortcut to considerably reduce the cost of repairs without affecting quality.

The cost of a standard exchange varies depending on the part and the model of car. In general, commonly exchanged parts such as engines, gearboxes, turbos, alternators and starters are cheaper than new parts.

However, more specific or rare parts can cost slightly more than their new counterparts. Despite this, standard exchange remains a more economical option in most cases.

Preserving the value of vehicles

Equipping a vehicle with standard exchange parts preserves its value better than using second-hand parts.

Standard exchange parts, reconditioned to manufacturers' standards, help maintain a complete maintenance history. A well-maintained vehicle with parts of the same quality as new will retain its value better when resold.

Standard exchange parts are labelled and traceable by serial number, which reassures buyers as to their origin and their refurbishment to standard. Conversely, a vehicle with non-traceable replacement parts may see its value fall.

To maximise these benefits, it's important to carry out repairs with recognised professionals, keep detailed invoices and maintain the vehicle regularly.

Service life and manufacturer's warranties

Standard exchange parts are recovered from vehicles before being refurbished, and come with a minimum 12-month warranty compared with 3 months for a used part.

These parts undergo rigorous quality control and offer performance equivalent to that of new parts.

After restoration, standard exchange parts are tested on a test bench to ensure that they meet vehicle manufacturers' standards.

Original parts

Factory-installed motors

The origin of standard exchange parts is rigorously controlled and strictly regulated.

Standard exchange guarantees 100% original manufacturer parts from legal sources, eliminating the risk of counterfeit or poor quality parts. These parts are identical to those fitted to new cars.

Equivalence with new parts = a part identical to the original one

Une pièce en échange standard possède les mêmes caractéristiques qu’une pièce d’origine.

Immediate availability

Reconditioned parts in standard exchange are often available immediately, unlike new parts, which may require an order and a delivery time of several months.

Environmental benefits

A pump on the test bench

Standard exchange :

• promotes the circular economy by reusing materials ;
• helps to reduce the carbon footprint.

Standard exchange is an eco-responsible approach that encourages recycling, thereby reducing the environmental impact of spare parts production. This practice, a pioneering one in the automotive industry and one that is becoming increasingly widespread, concerns a growing number of parts and should soon become the norm in a context of reduced consumption.

In a world where the circular economy is crucial to reducing waste, standard exchange is part of this approach to protecting the planet. Old material’ is not thrown away, but fully restored. As a result, the environmental cost of producing, machining and handling standard exchange parts is much lower than that of a new part, because there is no processing or transport of raw materials..

The parts are delivered in recyclable packaging, which is used to return old materials.

When the manufacturer no longer produces the part

When a part is no longer produced by a manufacturer, standard exchange becomes the only alternative for obtaining a part of equivalent quality to new.

An alternative to new parts

The advantage of new parts is their quality. In the minds of consumers, it's also the assurance of having a part that's bound to last a long time.

When a repairer receives a new part, all he has to do is fit it to the vehicle, which saves a considerable amount of time. The unavoidable downside: the price is high. And sometimes the time taken to obtain the part is a deterrent.

An alternative to second-hand parts

Calibrating a turbo

Used car parts have one major advantage: they cost much less than new parts, and sometimes less than a standard exchange.

The minimum legal guarantee for used car parts is 3 months.

Despite a number of checks carried out by conscientious garage owners, the main risk is buying a part that won't last.

What are the disadvantages of a standard exchange?

Despite its many advantages, standard exchange has two disadvantages.

1. Not all parts of the car are available for standard exchange, as this practice mainly concerns the durable parts of the mechanical components.
2. Standard exchange is mainly intended for vehicles no longer covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

On which parts can a standard exchange be carried out?

Refitting a camshaft bearing

The standard exchange concerns mechanical parts that are subject to wear and tear over time or to the elements. More specifically, mechanical parts are made up of two parts:

• A durable part ;
• A part subject to wear.

Standard exchange valorises and reuses the durable part of mechanical parts and refurbishes the whole part.

The mechanical parts usually available for standard exchange include :

• Engine
• Cylinder head
• Gearboxes
• Turbocharger
• Injection pump, injector
• Transmission, axles, gearboxes

As well as:: 

• Alternator
• Starter
• Steering rack
• ECU
• Power steering pump
• Air conditioning compressor
• Brake caliper

As technology advances, more and more spare parts are available as standard replacements. Car radios, airbag computers and navigation systems are now available as standard exchanges.

What types of vehicle benefit most from standard exchange?

The vehicles that benefit most from standard exchange are :

• Older vehicles, generally between 5 and 15 years old: as the years go by, new replacement parts become rare and expensive. Standard exchange allows defective parts to be replaced at a lower cost. This is also true when the aim is to save money and avoid buying expensive parts for a vehicle at the end of its life.
• Commercial and professional vehicles: these types of vehicle are subject to more rapid wear and tear, and standard exchange is a cost-effective solution for refurbishing engines, gearboxes, etc.
• Major brand vehicles: general brands such as Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, Ford, Opel, etc. benefit from a wide choice of standard exchange parts, making reconditioned parts more readily available and less expensive than for premium or niche brands.
• Diesel vehicles: given that diesel engines are more complex and costly to replace, standard exchange significantly reduces repair costs for this type of engine.

Where can I buy this type of part?

Control of old material

Decree no. 2016-703 of 30 May 2016 on the use of automotive spare parts from the circular economy on the Energy Transition for Green Growth includes a decree that aims to oblige garage owners to offer standard exchange for certain categories of spare parts. The garage is therefore the first point of contact for purchasing a standard exchange car part.

However, garages do not hold stocks of standard exchange parts. Some standard exchange parts are available from car maintenance centres, car rebuilders and other breakdown shops, dedicated specialists and specialist websites.

These professionals are in direct contact with manufacturers and with the few European companies specialising in standard exchange.

The Internet offers very attractive prices, and many garages are customers of these specialists, but it is sometimes difficult for private individuals to buy a standard exchange part online and find a garage willing to install the parts purchased this way.

How much does a standard exchange cost?

Individuals can make savings of up to 60% compared with the manufacturer's new price by carrying out a standard exchange.

With a standard exchange, the price is not the part itself, but rather the cost of refurbishing it.

Standard exchange reconditioning process

Before the renovation

Faulty parts (engines, gearboxes, alternators, etc.) are collected from garages and repair centres.

A deposit is generally required if the owner wishes to keep the used part.

When purchasing a standard exchange part, the old part must be returned. There are two possible options: paying the deposit or not. The deposit guarantees that the old part will be returned for reconditioning. If the part is not returned, the deposit is retained.

• Option 1 - Pay the deposit: The new part is sent immediately, without waiting for the old one to arrive. This is the fastest solution, chosen by 90% of customers. The deposit is refunded on receipt of the old part.
• Option 2 - No deposit: : The new coin is sent as soon as the old one is received. This option takes longer, as you have to wait for the parcel containing the old coin to arrive.

In both cases, we provide a pre-paid return label to stick on the packaging containing the old part for the return.

A reverse logistics circuit is set up to collect these used parts, which will then be reconditioned.

Engine storage

Stages of a complete room renovation

Once your old part has been received, it is reconditioned.

• Stage 1 - Sorting parts by condition: Parts are inspected and sorted by condition and suitability for refurbishment. Only those that meet the refurbishment criteria are kept. Parts no longer in use are scrapped.
• Stage 2 - Replacement and repair: The part is completely dismantled, and all wearing parts are replaced with new original parts. Other components are carefully inspected, repaired or replaced if necessary. All parts are tested for cracks and leaks.
• Stage 3 - Refurbishment: Each component is refurbished to the manufacturer's exact specifications.
• Stage 4 - Reassembly and testing: The spare part is reassembled, tested and packaged.

Quality control and validation tests

We carry out stringent checks on our car parts and must comply with strict specifications issued by the manufacturer. Before being put on sale, our parts undergo a series of tests and quality controls.

• Reassembly: The part is completely reassembled with refurbished or new components.
• Testing: Bench tests are carried out to validate its perfect operation before delivery.
• Labelling and warranty:The refurbished part is labelled ‘standard exchange’ with the name of the refurbisher. A guarantee equivalent to that of a new part is provided, generally for 1 to 2 years.

Resources on standard exchange

Standard exchange manual gearbox ready for shipment

History and emergence of this practice

The practice of standard exchange developed gradually over the course of the 20ᵉ century, in parallel with the growth of the automotive industry.

Today, millions of reconditioned parts are exchanged every year, both by manufacturers and by independent repair networks.

Economic and environmental importance

Standard exchange enables used car parts to be renovated and reused instead of being systematically replaced by new parts. This is part of a circular economy approach, reducing the need for new raw materials and reusing existing components.

Although not quantified, this avoids the environmental impact of extracting resources and producing new parts, thereby reducing the carbon footprint and other impacts (pollution, depletion of resources, etc.).

Please note: the process of refurbishing standard exchange parts also has a certain environmental impact, which is not assessed.

Regulatory framework

Re-manufacture of a made-to-measure part

In France, a car repair professional must offer a quotation for certain parts that includes an option for a new part and an option for a non-new part (second-hand or standard exchange). This makes it possible to reduce repair costs while purchasing a quality part.

Article L224-67 and articles D224-22 to D224-25-5 of the French Consumer Code set out the regulatory framework for the obligation on car repair professionals to offer a quotation including an option with used or standard exchange parts.

These texts stem from decrees no. 2024-863 and no. 2024-864 of 16 July 2024, which have been in force since 1 October 2024.

Article L224-67 of the French Consumer Code states that indique:

‘Any professional who markets maintenance or repair services for motor vehicles or two- or three-wheeled vehicles allows consumers to opt for the use, for certain categories of spare parts, of parts from the circular economy instead of new parts.

A decree in the Conseil d'Etat will draw up a list of the categories of parts concerned and specify the definition of parts from the circular economy, within the meaning of this article. It also defines the conditions under which the trader is not obliged to offer these parts due to their unavailability or other legitimate reasons.

The consumer information arrangements are set by decree.

In the event of a dispute, it is up to the professional to prove that he has fulfilled his obligations’.

Articles D224-22 to D224-25-5 specify which professionals are concerned, what documents and what information must be given to the consumer.

Obsolete references:

Quoted for information purposes, the following 6 texts refer to texts that are no longer in force, some of which were repealed several years ago. They are frequently cited on the Internet.

• Parts sold as standard exchanges must comply with specific regulations and the general safety obligation codified in article L. 221-1 of the French Consumer Code.
• Article L.121-119 of the French Consumer Code provides for an administrative fine of up to €15,000 for professionals who fail to comply with the obligation to provide information on re-used parts.
• Le décret n°78-993 du 4 octobre 1978 (Article 4) définit la mention "échange standard", qui ne peut être utilisée que pour désigner un moteur, organe ou sous-ensemble complètement remis à neuf selon les normes du constructeur. C'est le texte de référence encadrant l'échange standard.
• Decree no. 78-993 of 4 October 1978 (Article 4) defines the term ‘standard exchange’, which may only be used to designate an engine, component or sub-assembly that has been completely reconditioned to the manufacturer's standards. This is the reference text governing standard exchange.
• L'article L.121-117 du Code de la consommation, issu de la loi sur la transition énergétique de 2015, oblige les professionnels de la réparation automobile à informer les consommateurs de la possibilité d'utiliser des pièces issues de l'économie circulaire, dont l'échange standard, plutôt que des pièces neuves.
• Article L.121-117 of the French Consumer Code, stemming from the 2015 Energy Transition Act, requires car repair professionals to inform consumers of the possibility of using parts from the circular economy, including standard exchange, rather than new parts.

Textes européens et internationaux : European and international texts :

As many standard exchange and reconditioning businesses operate throughout Europe, there are other legal texts worth mentioning that have a direct impact on the automotive reconditioning and standard exchange sector: 

• European Directive 2000/53/EC on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV Directive) aims to limit waste from end-of-life vehicles and to promote the re-use, recycling and recovery of spare parts, including those from standard exchange. It requires manufacturers and professionals in the sector to recover and recycle a certain percentage of these vehicles and their components, thereby encouraging the use of reconditioned parts.
• European standard EN 45553:2020 sets out the requirements for the reconditioning of electrical and electronic products, including certain vehicle components such as ECUs and electronic systems, which are becoming increasingly common as part of the standard exchange.
• European Regulation 461/2010 on the block exemption of vertical agreements in the motor vehicle sector promotes competition in the spare parts market. It guarantees consumers the right to choose between new and reconditioned parts without losing the manufacturer's warranty. EC Regulation 1400/2002, although repealed and replaced by EU Regulation 461/2010, has influenced the practice of standard exchange by clarifying the framework within which independent repairers can use reconditioned or used parts, while retaining the vehicle warranty.
• British Standard BSI AU 257:2002 (British Standard for Reconditioned Engines), widely used in Europe, specifies the requirements for the reconditioning of internal combustion engines. It defines the quality practices to be followed to ensure that reconditioned engines perform as well as new engines. Although it is a British standard, it is often cited as a benchmark for reconditioned engines throughout Europe.
• ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 international standards are frequently used in the car reconditioning sector to certify the quality of processes (ISO 9001) and environmental management (ISO 14001). Distrimotor is not ISO certified.

Implementation in the automotive aftermarket

Logistical aspects

To cope with the costs of carrying stocks, the need to adapt stocks to the rapid evolution of automotive technologies and the growing importance of the circular economy, industry players are forced to optimize their inventory and deposit management processes to remain competitive and in line with economic challenges. Logistics platforms are a response to this situation.

Optimization of stock levels

Distributors and repairers must find a balance between:

• Having enough parts in stock to quickly meet demand
• Avoiding overstocking which ties up capital and increases the risk of obsolescence

Traceability

Accurate monitoring of parts in stock is essential, in particular to:

• Know availability in real time
• Manage expiry dates for certain parts
• Facilitate inventories

Deposit system for standard exchange

The principle of the deposit is central to standard exchange. It allows to:

• Encourage customers to return used parts
• Supply the reconditioning circuit with parts to be renovated
• Reduce waste by promoting recycling

Reverse logistics

Managing the return of used parts (reverse logistics) is a crucial aspect:

• Organization of collection from garages and distributors
• Sorting and evaluation of returned parts
• Routing to reconditioning centers

Sales pitches for sales staff

OEMs and vehicle manufacturers who offer standard exchange parts provide product-specific information and training for their sales teams.

In shops, spare parts and accessories sales advisers need to have in-depth knowledge of the products, including standard exchange parts. They are trained to advise on PRA (Spare Parts and Accessories) products adapted to the type of motor vehicle and to offer personalised advice tailored to the customer's needs.

In the case of dealerships and garages with strong brand links, it can be more difficult to offer standard exchange parts when the company also sells new parts.

Despite this, sales staff have three strong arguments for offering standard exchange parts to their customers: to provide an alternative, to offer a very attractive price and to minimise the environmental impact.

Recovery and distribution channels in Europe

Dismantling the setpoint

Garages obtain their supplies from logistics platforms specialising in the refurbishment and distribution of standard exchange parts. They can also use the distribution networks of car parts manufacturers, who offer a wide range of reconditioned parts.

Collection channels for used parts

The automotive sector in Europe has set up a number of collection channels for used parts to encourage recycling and reuse:

Approved ELV centres

Approved end-of-life vehicle (ELV) centres play a central role in the collection of used car parts. These centres are present in all regions and have the necessary resources to receive end-of-life vehicles and spare parts, carry out depollution and make them safe, dismantle car parts, keep reusable parts for the second-hand market, sort and direct other components to the appropriate recycling channels.

Manufacturer and equipment supplier networks

The major car manufacturers and parts suppliers have developed their own collection networks:

• Valeo, for example, collects used parts from all over Europe to supply its reconditioning plant in Poland.
• Manufacturers such as Stellantis, Renault and Volkswagen are setting up individual systems to collect parts directly from their brands.

Garages and distributors

Garages and spare parts distributors are also involved in the collection process:

• Obligation to collect certain items such as used oil
• Informing customers about the possibilities of using parts from the circular economy.

Eco-organisations

With the introduction of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) system for end-of-life vehicles in France, eco-organisations will be approved to organise the collection and processing of ELVs.

The draft European regulation on the circularity of the automotive sector plans to further strengthen the collection channels, in particular by improving the treatment of ELVs to facilitate the removal of parts, the traceability of components and materials, and information on repair and reuse possibilities.

The aim is to significantly increase the rates of re-use, recycling and recovery of automotive parts and materials over the coming years.

Logistics platforms for renovation

Refurbishment of a DPF particulate filter

As a result, the standard exchange market is benefiting from an increasingly efficient logistics organisation, contributing to its growth in the European automotive sector.

Dedicated platforms are helping to structure the standard exchange market in Europe, offering improved availability of reconditioned parts, shorter delivery times, controlled quality of reconditioned parts and centralised invoicing and logistics processes.

These include

• Autodis Group's Logisteo platform based in Réau, France, capable of processing more than 60,000 order lines per day
• Valeo's plant in Silesia (Poland), capable of processing one million
• Bosch with its eXchange network
• ZF Services with its range of remanufactured products.

Distribution networks for reconditioned parts

In Europe, several distribution networks have been developed for standard exchange parts:

• OEM networks (Valeo, Bosch, etc.)
• Specialist distributors (typically Distrimotor, who offer prices up to 50% lower than the official network for products from the same source)
• Car centre networks

Renovators and manufacturers

Checking the after-sales guarantee

In Europe, there are a limited number of specialist refurbishers. They include VEGE, MRT engines, Emotive, Valeo, LKQ, Turbos Hoet, Dubhe group and AMC. In addition to these specialists, there are manufacturer brands such as Garrett, KKK, IHI, etc.

Car brands

Some well-known car brands offer standard exchange programmes for various models of their vehicles. For example, BMW offers standard exchange options for components such as engines, turbochargers and gearboxes. Owners of BMW models such as the 3 Series, 5 Series or X5 can benefit from these reconditioned parts at a lower cost.

Similarly, Mercedes-Benz offers standard exchange parts for several of its iconic models. Owners of cars such as the C-Class, E-Class or S-Class can find cost-effective alternatives for parts such as braking systems, water pumps or alternators.

For more generalist brands, companies such as Bosch, Valeo and Magneti Marelli offer standard exchange parts for a wide range of car models.

You've reached the end of this guide to automotive standard exchange! We hope you found it useful and that you enjoyed reading it as much as we did preparing it. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at info@distrimotor.com or call us on 04 50 05 33 33 .