Why original spare parts pay back. Debunking the myths of expensive original spare parts.

Spare parts represent a fair share of the maintenance cost for bus and coach owners. And spare part prices can vary immensely. Why should I buy original spare parts when there are alternative at much lower cost? We talked to Carina Borelius who can sort things out for us, and it appears that price and cost are two very different things.

What would you say is the main reason for buying Genuine Volvo Parts?

Well, maybe it’s a surprise but the most obvious upside is cost. And we mean the total cost of ownership during the vehicle’s lifetime. We know for a fact that Genuine Volvo Parts have a high and consistent quality, and that they perfectly match the technical environment in which they function. You could say that all the Volvo parts are made for each other. So basically, it’s a quality matter. One single, unexpected breakdown of a non-genuine part will effectively wipe out any saving on the parts price.
 

But couldn’t third-party spare parts be equally good in quality?

In theory, they could. The problem is that you don’t know. You don’t know how they are manufactures, how they are tested or, most importantly, how long they will last. Durability is something that can only be secured by full control of the manufacturing process – from engineering and choice of material to tests and production quality assurance. Here, Volvo can assure that the parts are identical to those used in the vehicle when it left the factory.
 

So what do you say to a bus owner who wants to save money on spare parts?

Buy original! Attempts to save money on the parts price can turn out terribly expensive. Having said that, Volvo fully understands the operators’ efforts to keep operational costs down. And to support that we offer remanufactured parts. A Volvo Reman part has been remanufactured to its original condition and is always up to the latest technical specifications. And since it must meet the same quality standards as a brand-new part offering, we also give the same warranty as for new parts. Same quality at a good price.

How good is a good price?

Well, that depends on which part we’re talking about, but a Volvo Reman Part will easily outperform any third-party alternative, considering quality for money. Especially for critical components such as turbo units, charging equipment, air compressors and water. Not to mention replacement engines, where the saving really makes a difference.
 

Are there any other benefits of Reman Parts?

Definitely. Remanufacturing means less use of raw materials – and less use of energy in production. For a manufacturer of Volvo’s size that will mean a significant reduction of environmental impact. And since Volvo Reman fulfils the original specification, they are qualified to be offered as Genuine Volvo Parts.
 

And what about safety?

That’s something some seem to forget about. But some types of spare parts have direct and crucial safety functions. The most drastic example is brakes. Discs and brake pads with insufficient material composition could lead to sudden loss of brake power and ultimately an accident. A cheap alternator may not function properly with the electrical system. And a failing water pump could mean overheating.
 

So, your conclusion on the difference between original spare parts and counterfeit?

It pays back to use Genuine Volvo Parts. New parts, and Reman parts are all Volvo original, and takes uncertainties out of the maintenance equation. The fact remains that the way we produce, test and follow up the quality of Genuine Volvo Parts, we can assure you that your Volvo remains a Volvo – inside out. It’s simply the safer choice.