Will the 4S shop return the old car door after replacement?
3 Answers
You can take the old car door back after replacement. However, if insurance has been claimed for it, then you cannot get it back. The car door provides access for drivers and passengers to enter and exit the vehicle, isolates external interference, and to some extent mitigates side impacts to protect occupants. Sometimes after a collision accident, the car door is severely damaged and cannot be repaired, necessitating replacement. Here is some relevant knowledge about car doors: Car doors are generally categorized as original, OEM, and aftermarket. Original refers to the parts that come with the car from the main factory; OEM refers to parts produced by the original equipment manufacturer; while aftermarket refers to parts produced by manufacturers not designated by the automobile company.
Last time I went to the 4S shop to replace a car door, I encountered a similar situation. They didn't mention the old door at first, and I had to ask to get it back. Actually, the common practice of most 4S shops is that if you don't proactively request it, they will recycle or dispose of the old parts because they may still have residual value, such as recycling metal or using them for spare parts. But based on my experience, it's best to clarify with the shop when signing the order before the repair and have them include it in the contract to avoid disputes later. I also learned that in some cases, if the repair cost is covered by the insurance company, the old door may belong to the insurance company and won't be given back to you, so don't just rely on the staff's verbal promises. In short, this is a matter of rights, and I recommend being vigilant with every repair—just asking directly is the easiest way to avoid trouble.
Having worked in the repair industry for a long time, I've seen all kinds of situations regarding whether 4S shops return replaced old car doors. It mainly depends on your specific requirements. They usually have a standard procedure where once new parts are installed, the old ones become the shop's property unless you specifically request to keep them beforehand. For example, I've seen some customers take the old doors back to repair themselves or resell, which can be a money-saving idea; if not needed, the shop often recycles or disposes of them to avoid liability risks. A reminder to everyone: when signing the repair order, always check the terms carefully or ask directly, don't be vague. Additionally, old parts are sometimes kept as diagnostic evidence for traceability in case of issues, so I usually recommend car owners to proactively state their requests.
