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eBay reveals diversity of parts purchased but many garage owners see pre-owned as false economy

For the first time, eBay has revealed the top 10 most expensive car parts and accessories purchased on its website. It includes everything from a replacement electric vehicle battery to exotic engines and rare bespoke luggage.

Number one on the list of the biggest buys was a BMW V8 engine. In second place was another BMW V8 engine; this time, a Certified Recycled listing which sold for nearly £9,500. The third most expensive item was a ceramic brake set up for a Mercedes AMG GT sports car.

And while Ferrari parts might be expected to feature highly on the list, the most expensive part from the iconic Italian supercar-maker wasn’t an engine or body part at all. It was a set of tailored Schedoni luggage for a classic Nineties 512 TR which sold for £8,493.

At the other end of the list in ninth place, was a 40kWh battery pack for a Nissan Leaf Tekna which sold for £7,859.99.

Laura Richards, eBay’s category lead, vehicle parts and accessories UK, said: “We’re seeing increasing numbers of electric vehicle parts being listed on the site and that is reflected in our rundown, with a complete battery pack for a Nissan Leaf showing the value of so-called second-life EV batteries. We expect to see more and more of these as they have a variety of applications, many of which extend beyond reuse in an automotive context.”

According to research by eBay, 16.1% of motorists often buy recycled parts to save money, while 14% choose used items to reduce their carbon emissions. While some car owners are happy to buy parts themselves, one-in-10 stated they would prefer to buy recycled parts from a professional service centre.

It’s something that’s sure to raise eyebrows with independent garage owners. Whilst some may say it makes business sense to be mindful of changes in customer buying behaviour, others are sure to have a different view.

George Phillips, operations director at Garage Services Online, said: “We work closely with hundreds of garages and I’m certain that many of those would feel the integrity of the service they offer would be compromised by not fitting parts they know the origin of.

“There’s also the fact that a garage workshop will put a markup on car parts, just as any business would. It’s a contributing factor to a profitable bottom line and the price a customer pays for a trained professional to select the right part – and be able to guarantee its longevity.

“The cost-of-living crisis is a factor for many though so going forward, we could see more garages being asked to work on a parts-supplied basis.”