A warranty is your shield of confidence. It is a commitment on the part of the seller that the replaced part will fulfil its function for a specified period of time, giving you the reassurance that your investment is protected. And, contrary to popular belief, salvage yard parts also come with a warranty.
However, it is not always the same as that of a new part, and knowing its details is key to making an informed decision. In this article, we explain in depth what a warranty is, what a second-hand salvage yard part covers and, most importantly, what the usual warranty period is for this type of spare part.
What is a warranty?
A warranty is a commitment, or a promise, that a seller or manufacturer makes to the consumer.
This serves to provide assurance that a product or service will function as expected for a specified period of time. Should it present a fault or defect during that period, the warranty entitles the buyer to a repair, replacement or, in some cases, a refund.
And applying it to the context of car spare parts? The warranty on a part is the reassurance that, if it fails, the supplier takes responsibility for resolving it, thus protecting your investment.
What warranty do car spare parts carry?
All of this information is set out in Royal Legislative Decree 1/2007 of 16 November, which details the articles regulating warranties and after-sales services for the sale and purchase of supplies and goods, and also sets out consumer rights in the event of a product's lack of conformity, whether new or second-hand.
How long does the warranty on a new product last?
In 2021, an amendment to the Royal Decree was made, establishing the following warranty duration according to the date of product purchase:
- For products purchased before 1 January 2022, the legal warranty is 2 years.
- For all products purchased from 1 January 2022 onwards, the warranty is 3 years.
- For second-hand products, the warranty is 1 year, regardless of the date of purchase.
And if the part is replaced or repaired?
This decree also establishes the specific timeframe for the warranty on repairs:
- 6 months warranty for repairs or replacement of parts carried out before 1 January 2022.
- 1 year warranty if the repair of products is carried out from 1 January 2022 onwards.
And what does this mean? That, if a product is repaired during the legal warranty period and presents a related fault again, you can demand a new repair at no cost.
Furthermore, a period is also established during which the manufacturer must guarantee the availability of the spare part:
- 5 years for products purchased before 1 January 2022.
- 10 years for products purchased from 1 January 2022 onwards.
Furthermore, whether the part is new or second-hand, you have a guaranteed warranty period:
- New original parts carry the same warranty as the main product, from 2 to 3 years depending on the date of purchase.
- Reused, or reconditioned, parts come with a 1-year warranty.
Can a salvage yard set whatever warranty period it wants?
Yes, as long as it is not below what is established by Royal Legislative Decree 1/2007 and, of course, it cannot modify the conditions of this either.
Do all spare parts from a salvage yard have to come with a warranty?
Yes, at the time of delivering the part, it must come with its warranty, specifying its duration and the conditions under which a claim can be made in the event of any problem or fault.
It must also be made clear what return period the buyer has available in the event of not being satisfied and wishing to return the part.
What do you need in order to claim the warranty on your car's replacement part?
In addition to the purchase invoice, it is necessary to gather other documents:
Part documentation
The invoice is essential, but if the seller provided you with other documentation, such as a warranty certificate or a part-specific document, make sure you have it to hand, as it may contain information about the warranty conditions and duration.
Detailed information about the problem
Depending on the reason for claiming the warranty, you may need to present a report from the mechanical workshop in which:
- Provide a technical description of the fault.
- Specify the date on which the fault was detected.
- Confirm that the problem is related to the part and not to incorrect installation or improper use of it.
Full vehicle details
To ensure that the part you purchased is the correct one, the seller may request specific information about your vehicle such as:
- Make, model and year of the vehicle.
- The chassis number (VIN).
- The mileage the car has covered since the part was installed.
Visual evidence
Visual evidence is very useful for demonstrating the problem without needing to personally bring the part to the seller, so take photographs or videos of the faulty part and of the symptoms of the fault.
What warranty do we offer at Recoautos when you purchase our second-hand spare parts?
At Recoautos, we understand that trust is key. That is why we have taken our commitment to the comfort and peace of mind of our customers to the highest level, offering an exclusive lifetime warranty on our parts.
What does this unprecedented warranty entail? It is simple: if at any point, regardless of how much time has passed, the part presents a functional fault, we commit to replacing it at no cost. It could be the day after installation or even 10 or 20 years later. Our goal is that you do not worry about the durability of your purchase. Simply return the defective part to us and we will provide a replacement immediately.
Of course, this warranty covers functional faults inherent to the part. However, for it to be valid, the part must not have been modified, tampered with or altered after purchase. Likewise, we do not cover faults caused by improper use or external damage.
Our lifetime warranty is proof of our confidence in the quality of our spare parts. It is our way of assuring you that, by choosing Recoautos, you are investing in a reliable part and a service that will support you throughout the entire useful life of your vehicle.