Core exchange
When you purchase a spare part marked “core part” you have to pay a core charge in addition to the price of the spare part itself. According to European legislation, the core charge is the amount that the manufacturer requires as a deposit to guarantee the old spare part is returned for remanufacturing. The core charge is refunded when the old spare part is returned. Core charges only apply to items produced in the European Union. The amount of the core charge is determined by the supplier of the spare part. Therefore, the same part provided by different suppliers can have different core charges or may have no core charge at all.
A core charge of £ 26.42 (incl. 20% VAT) is NOT included in the price and will be refunded to the customer when the old part is returned
Simple return procedure
Rhinstrasse 132
12681 Berlin
Germany
How does it work?
- You pay for the new part and the core charge.
- You receive the new part.
- You prepare the used part for shipment (drain the fluid from the part, if any; this requirement does not apply to batteries).
- You make the request for the return of the used spare part in your personal account at Autodoc.co.uk or using the form at the bottom of this page.
- The used spare part should be placed in the box you received the new one in. Enclose the invoice that you received after placing the order. This will speed up the processing of your request.
- You have to send the old part in proper condition to the following address:
AUTODOC SE (Retoure - Lager R)
Rhinstrasse 132
12681 Berlin
Germany - We send the used spare part to the manufacturer for examination.
- Processing of the return generally takes 6–8 weeks from when the returned spare part arrives at our warehouse. We will inform you of the results of the examination.
How soon does the used core part need to be sent back?
The used core part should be sent within one year from the date of purchase of the new core part.
How will the сore charge be refunded if the examination result is positive?
We will refund the core charge in the same way as you made the payment, or by crediting it to your Autodoc.co.uk deposit account.
What happens if the examination result is negative?
We will inform you that the сore charge cannot be refunded. We will store the examined core part for 2 months at our warehouse. The spare part can be returned to you if you request it (The part will be sent back to you at Autodoc’s expense). After 2 months of storage, the spare part will be disposed of.
What is the return policy?
- Shipping of a used part is made at the expense of the customer.
- Even if the order includes the Safe Order option, the customer has to cover the delivery cost of returning the used core part. If the customer does not provide the manufacturer with an old spare part, the core charge will not be refunded and will be retained by the manufacturer as compensation.
- If the used spare part has severe damage or cracks in the housing, the core charge will not be refunded.
- If a used part of a different category is returned, the core charge will not be refunded. For example, if an alternator was purchased but a starter was returned instead.
- To have the core charge refunded you can send a similar item purchased from another manufacturer. For example, if a BOSCH brake caliper is purchased and a TRW brake caliper is returned.
- If the specifications (e.g. power) of the new spare part do not match those of the old part, you need to check with the manufacturer whether it is possible to return such a part.
What categories contain core parts?
Requirements for used parts:
* These instructions are for information purposes only. Each case is considered individually (each spare part undergoes an individual examination by the manufacturer).
Brake caliper return criteria:
- The core part must match the purchased product.
- The core part must be complete.
- All caliper guide pins, fasteners, connecting and bleeder screws must be present.
- The core part must not have excessive corrosion damage.
- The core part must not be cracked or machined.
- Only core parts that are suitable for reprocessing can be taken back and the core charge refunded.
- The label on the packaging must not be soiled, missing, or have any extra marks or writing.
- * These instructions are for information purposes only. Each case is considered individually (each spare part undergoes an individual examination by a manufacturer).
Original packaging
- Bosch, Elstock, GKN parts must be returned in their original packaging, or else the part cannot be accepted. This is a requirement from the supplier.
Alternator return criteria:
- Unidentifiable alternators will not be accepted.
- Manufacturer's OE label is present, or the OE number etched on the alternator is readable/recognisable.
Corrosion
- The alternator has not been stored for a long time after being dismantled, and has no corrosion marks on the belt pulley.
- Heavily corroded alternators.
Damage level
- Damaged plastic cover.
- A missing rib on the front and/or rear end fitting.
- Connector broken below the seal.
- Two missing ribs on the front and/or rear end fitting.
- Connector broken up to the seal
Completeness of the alternator:
- The alternator is complete and assembled.
- Disassembled or incomplete alternator.
- The used alternator must have the same power output as the new one. Otherwise, the core charge cannot be returned.
Starter return criteria:
- The unit is accepted.
- The unit is rejected.
Identifiability
- Unidentified starters will not be accepted.
- Manufacturer's OE label is present, or the OE number etched on the alternator is readable/recognisable.
Damage level
- Beading of the relay housing is not damaged.
- Damage to the starter relay plastic part.
- The starter is deformed/damaged, e.g. due to impact on the housing, broken housing, or a worn pinion.
- The shaft is heavily discoloured due to overloading (e.g. a blue colour due to overheating).
Corrosion:
- The starter has not been stored for a long time after being dismantled, and has no corrosion damage.
- Heavily corroded starter.
Completeness of the starter
- The starter is complete and assembled.
- Disassembled or incomplete starter.
- Heavy corrosion of the pinion.
- Missing rear plate.
- Damaged front cover.
- * These instructions are for information purposes only. Each case is considered individually (each spare part undergoes an individual examination by a manufacturer).
Driveshaft return criteria:
- The returned core must be of the same type as the new core part.
- The driveshaft must be complete – consisting of the interconnecting shaft and both joints.
- The interconnecting shaft must be straight. Bent shafts cannot be remanufactured.
- The interconnecting shaft must not be rusted or broken.
- The thread of the joints must be complete and fitting tightly.
A/C compressor return criteria:
- The unit will be rejected if:
- It is severely corroded (damaged area >3 cm²).
- Not all connections for piping are tightly closed with original caps.
- The shaft cannot be manually rotated by 360°.
- The part cannot be identified (the nameplate is illegible or missing).
Return criteria for power steering pump:
- The core part will be accepted if:
- 1. The pump is complete and corresponds to the part from the catalogue.
- 2. There is no mechanical damage.
- 3. The thread is in good order.
- 4. The pump cannot be returned with the damaged pulley and shaft.
- 5. There is no damage to the pulley, shaft, or adapter.
- 6. The cap is not missing or damaged.
The core part will be accepted if:
- 1. The steering gear is complete, i.e. it includes:
- - dust boots
- - pressure hoses
- - tie rods (if supplied with the new part)
- 2. The steering gear is not strongly corroded.
- 3. There is no mechanical damage, the part is not bent, the steering rack function is not impaired, fasteners are not damaged.
- 4. No bending or breaking of the tie rod(s); no damage to the thread.
- 5. No bending or breaking of the tie rod(s); no damage to the thread.
- 6. The shaft and the splines are not damaged.
- 7. The returned steering gear matches the new one.
Turbocharger return criteria:
- The core part should be returned complete and assembled.
- None of its elements should be dismantled, replaced or removed.
- The returned core must be of the same type as the new core part.
Injector return criteria
- Part disassembled -> not acceptable
- Nozzle missing -> not acceptable
- Injector return criteria
- Connector damaged -> not acceptable
- Connector broken -> not acceptable
- Connector melted -> not acceptable
- Inlet connector damaged -> not acceptable
- Damage to injector body caused by inappropriate handling (e.g. hammer) -> not acceptable
- Seal seat damaged -> not acceptable
Core parts are accepted if:
- The returned core part is the same type as the new part.
- The injector pump is complete and undamaged.
- No damage.
- The control valve is not damaged.
Core parts that have the following defects can not be returned:
- Disassembled
- Missing parts
- Heavy corrosion
Car battery return criteria:
- The manufacturers do not impose special requirements on used car batteries. Nonetheless, we strongly recommend not to open used batteries and not to drain fluids (electrolytes) out of them, as this is dangerous.
How to return a used car battery:
- 1. Bring the used battery to our warehouse at this address: AUTODOC SE (Retoure - Lager R) Rhinstrasse 132 12681 Berlin.
Ignition distributor return criteria:
- The unit should not have signs of severe corrosion.
- The distributor cap should not be missing.
- The connector must not be missing.
- The unit must be complete.
- Unidentifiable ignition distributors will not be accepted.
Request form for core part return:
Before sending the part, please fill out the form below, and our customer support team will contact you. Please enter the order number of the new core part.