Repair Shops Rising Trend: Remanufactured Parts Usage

A recent IMR survey of 500 independent repair shops highlights the role of remanufactured parts in the automotive aftermarket. While new parts dominate, remanufactured options are valued for their affordability, particularly for older vehicles and specific repairs like engines.

*Category*	Total (%)	1-3 Bays (%)	4-7 Bays (%)	8+ Bays (%)
Engine	27.1%	29.2%	22.7%	42.3%
Tires/Wheels	20.8%	18.2%	24.0%	15.4%
Body	12.6%	15.3%	8.4%	23.1%
HVAC	12.3%	10.9%	14.3%	7.7%
Braking	10.1%	12.4%	9.1%	3.8%
Electrical	7.3%	2.9%	11.7%	3.8%
Exhaust	5.7%	7.3%	5.2%	0.0%

Q: For which types of parts or repairs/services does your shop commonly use remanufactured or used parts? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

The engine category accounts for 27.1% of total remanufactured part usage, with 42.3% of this usage occurring in larger shops (8+ bays). Tires/Wheels (15.4%) and Body (23.1%) are more commonly utilized in medium shops (4-7 bays). Meanwhile, HVAC (14.3%) and Electrical (11.7%) parts are predominantly found in medium-sized shops (4-7 bays), while Braking (12.4%) and Exhaust (7.3%) are more prevalent in smaller shops (1-3 bays).

Price drives the decision, with 95.6% of shops citing price, including 99.3% of 1-3 bay shops, cost savings drives decisions. Availability is a minor factor (3.8%), particularly for 4-7 bay shops (7.1%), while quality (0.6%) and fitment (0.0%) are negligible. This aligns with industry trends, where rising repair costs push shops toward economical alternatives.

*Vehicle Age Range*	Total (%)	1-3 Bays (%)	4-7 Bays (%)	8+ Bays (%)
0-5 years	1.3%	0.0%	2.6%	0.0%
6-10 years	24.3%	13.1%	34.4%	23.1%
11-15 years	17.7%	28.5%	10.4%	3.8%
16-20 years	39.7%	51.8%	31.2%	26.9%
21+ years	17.0%	6.6%	21.4%	46.2%

For what vehicle age ranges does your shop most frequently install remanufactured or used parts? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

Shops primarily use remanufactured parts in vehicles aged 16-20 years, with 51.8% of 1-3 bay shops focusing here, likely due to budget-conscious customers. Larger shops (8+ bays) show significant usage in vehicles 21+ years old (46.2%), reflecting their capacity to service older fleets.