CORE EXCHANGE

Please note that when purchasing a spare part marked "core part", a core charge must be paid 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 return of the old spare part for remanufacturing. The core charge will be refunded once you have returned the old spare part. This is only applicable to items produced in the European Union. The core charge amount is determined by the spare part supplier. Consequently, the same part provided by different suppliers can have different core charges or may have no core charge at all.

A core charge of €25.15 is NOT included in the item's price and will be refunded to the customer once the old part has been returned

RETURN PROCEDURE

HOW DO YOU RETURN CORE PARTS?

  1. First, you pay for the new part and the core charge.
  2. The part will then be delivered.
  3. Once you've received it, you need to prepare the used part to be shipped. If the part contains fluid, drain it (this does not apply to batteries).
  4. Next, submit a return request for the old core part via your account on the RIDEX website or by contacting your account manager.
  5. Place the used part in the box you received the new one in. Put the invoice that you received after placing the order inside the shipping box. Doing so enables us to process the return quicker.
  6. The used part should be in a proper condition. Return the part to the address below:
    AUTODOC SE (Retoure - Lager R)
    Rhinstrasse 132
    12681 Berlin
    Germany
  7. We will then inspect the returned part.
  8. It normally takes 6 to 8 weeks to process returns for core parts, starting from when we receive the part at our warehouse. We will inform you of the results of the inspection.
How long do you have to return the used core part?
The used core part needs to be sent to us within one year of the purchase date of the new core part.

IF THE RESULT OF THE INSPECTION IS POSITIVE, HOW WILL THE CORE CHARGE BE REFUNDED?

The refund will be issued via the same method that was used to pay for the order or by adding the amount to your deposit account.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE EXAMINATION RESULT IS NEGATIVE?

We will notify you that the core charge cannot be refunded. The returned core part will remain at our warehouse for 2 months. You can request to have it sent back to you at your own expense. After 2 months, we will dispose of the part.
OUR RETURN POLICY
  • The return shipping costs for used parts are paid by the customer.
  • If the used part is severely damaged or there are cracks in the housing, the customer will not receive a refund for the core charge.
  • In the event that a used part from a different category is returned, the core charge will not be refunded.
  • You can receive a refund if you return a similar item from a different manufacturer. For example, if you purchase a RIDEX brake caliper and return a TRW brake caliper.
  • If the specifications (e.g. power) of the new spare part do not match those of the old part, you need to check with us whether it is possible to return the old part.

RETURN 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 ordered part and the used core part must match.
  • The returned core part must be complete.
  • All caliper guide pins, fasteners, and connecting and bleeder screws must be included in the return.
  • The core part must not be excessively corroded.
  • The core part must not be cracked or machined.
  • Only core parts that are suitable for reprocessing can be accepted, in which case the core charge will be refunded.
  • The label on the packaging must not be dirty, missing, or have any extra markings or writing.
* These instructions are for information purposes only. Each case is considered individually (each spare part undergoes an individual examination).
Alternator
Return criteria:
  • Unacceptable: an unidentifiable alternator.
  • Acceptable: the alternator is recognisable by the manufacturer's original equipment (OE) label or the OE number etched on the alternator, which must be readable.
Corrosion
  • Acceptable: the alternator has not been stored for an extended period after dismantling and there are no signs of corrosion on the belt pulley.
  • Uneacceptable: alternators that are heavily corroded.
Level of damage
  • A damaged plastic cover
  • A missing rib on the front and/or rear end fitting
  • Damage to the connector (below the seal)
  • Two missing ribs on the front and/or rear end fitting
  • Damage to connector (up to the seal)
Part completeness
  • Acceptable: the alternator is assembled and complete
  • Unacceptable: the alternator is disassembled or incomplete
The used alternator must have the same power output as the new one. If not, the core charge cannot be refunded.
Starter motor
Return criteria:
  • The unit is accepted.
  • The unit is rejected.
Identifiability
  • Unacceptable: unidentified starters
  • Acceptable: starters with a readable/recognisable OE label or OE number.
Level of damage
  • Undamaged beading on relay housing.
  • Damage to the plastic element of the starter relay.
  • A deformed/damaged starter, e.g. as a result of impacts to the housing, a broken housing, or pinion wear.
  • Heavy discolouration of the shaft due to overloading, i.e. it is blue due to overheating.
Corrosion:
  • Acceptable: the starter has not been stored for an extended period after dismantling and there are no signs of corrosion damage.
  • Unacceptable: a severely corroded starter.
Part completeness
  • The starter is complete and assembled.
  • The starter is incomplete or disassembled.
  • The pinion is heavily corroded.
  • The rear plate is missing.
  • The front cover is damaged.
CV axle
Return criteria:
  • The old core part and the new one must be the same type of part.
  • The CV axle must be complete – consisting of the interconnecting shaft and both joints.
  • The shaft must be straight as bent components cannot be remanufactured.
  • The interconnecting shaft must not be rusty or damaged.
  • The joint threads must be in a proper condition (complete) and fit tightly.
Air conditioning compressor
Return criteria:
  • The AC compressor will be rejected in the following cases:
  • It is heavily corroded (damaged area >3 cm²).
  • Not all pipe connections are tightly sealed with original caps.
  • The shaft cannot be rotated 360° by hand.
  • The part is unidentifiable (the name plate is illegible or missing).
Power steering pump
Return criteria:
  • The core part will be accepted if it meets these requirements:
  • 1. It is complete and matches the part from our catalogue.
  • 2. No mechanical damage is found.
  • 3. The thread is in good condition.
  • 4. The pulley and shaft are undamaged.
  • 5. The adapter is undamaged.
  • 6. The cap is not missing or damaged.
Steering rack
The core part will be accepted as long as it meets these requirements:
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 badly corroded.
  • 3. There is no mechanical damage, the part is not bent, the steering rack is functioning correctly, and the fasteners are undamaged.
  • 4. No bent or broken tie rod(s); no thread damage.
  • 5. The steering shaft and splines are undamaged.
  • 6. The used steering gear matches the new one.
Turbocharger
Return criteria:
  • The returned core part must be complete and assembled.
  • None of its components should be removed, replaced, or disassembled.
  • The old core part and the new one must be the same type of part.
Fuel injector
Return criteria:
  • Unacceptable: disassembled parts
  • Unacceptable: parts with missing nozzles
  • The following will result in rejection:
  • A damaged connector
  • A broken connector
  • A melted connector
  • Damage to the inlet connector
  • Damage to the injector body caused by mishandling (e.g. hammering)
  • A damaged seal seat
Injection pump
Core parts are accepted if they meet the following requirements:
  • The old core part and the new one are the same type of part.
  • The injector pump is complete and undamaged.
  • No damage is found.
  • The control valve is undamaged.
Core parts with the following defects will NOT be accepted:
  • Parts are disassembled.
  • Parts are missing.
  • Parts are heavily corroded.
Ignition distributor
Return criteria:
  • The unit must not be severely corroded.
  • The distributor cap must be present.
  • The connector must be present.
  • The unit must be complete.