What if the customer wants to keep the old core part? If a core part is missing or stolen, the customer is still responsible for payment of the core charge when purchasing a replacement part.ĭo I need to inform the customer about the core charge or include it on the estimate?Īlong with the list of all parts used and auto repair charges, the core charge must be disclosed to the customer and separately itemized on the estimate. Is a customer exempt from a core charge if a core part is missing or stolen? For example, replacement batteries, turbo chargers, and bumper covers often have a core charge added to the price even if the original part is damaged well beyond the possibility of rebuilding. Many auto parts carry a core charge regardless of the usefulness or perceived value of the old part.

What if the old core part is damaged beyond repair? There may be core charges on remanufactured parts as well as new parts since the materials and the core part itself have value to the manufacturer regardless of whether the replacement part is new or remanufactured. Is there a core charge on both new parts and remanufactured parts? The core charge is added to the price of a part to encourage the return of the old part. Core charges are set by the manufacturer or supplier and are based on the value of the materials in the part or the reusability of the old part. The return of core parts to the manufacturer lowers the cost of the auto parts and related auto repairs and keeps hazardous materials out of landfills.Ī core charge is a form of deposit held for the return of the used part. Common core parts may include batteries, water pumps, alternators, brake master cylinders, and air conditioning compressors.

Here are some frequently asked questions to help licensees understand and educate consumers about core charges.Ī core auto part is a part or a component of an auto part that can be rebuilt and sold as a remanufactured part or a part that can be recycled for its materials. In the auto repair industry, there is often confusion about what a core charge is and when it is applied.

Autozone battery core charge