JLR utilizes pre-owned components for repairs

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【Summary】Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is facing a backlog of repairs as it struggles to source new parts, with around 10,000 customer cars in the UK awaiting replacements. This shortage, originating from JLR's newest parts facility, has led to some vehicles being repaired using second-hand parts. The crisis is expected to last until the end of November, causing delays and frustrations for customers. JLR has also run out of courtesy vehicles and storage space for customers' cars.

FutureCar Staff Nov 01, 2023 6:24 AM PT

JLR utilizes pre-owned components for repairs

The owner of a Range Rover Evoque has accused JLR of using second-hand parts to repair her vehicle, as the company faces difficulties in sourcing new replacement components for thousands of its customers' cars.

According to Car Dealer, around 10,000 customer cars in the UK are awaiting replacement parts, with approximately 5,000 of them currently off the road at JLR dealerships. The problem originated at the company's newest parts facility, Mercia Park, and was disclosed by Andrew Woolliscroft, the UK client director at JLR, during a dealer summit in October.

During the summit, Woolliscroft stated, "Mercia is a bottleneck and we have a backlog of orders." He also mentioned that the shortage of parts had "nearly stopped workshops from being able to operate." The company has run out of courtesy vehicles and lacks the necessary space to store customers' cars for repair. Woolliscroft predicted that the crisis would continue until the end of November.

One of the affected owners waiting for a part is Bob Archell, whose Range Rover Sport P400e was diagnosed with a faulty wiring harness in April. Archell expressed frustration, saying, "I was on the phone so much to Land Rover I think they lost patience with me." Although the replacement part arrived in September, Archell had already rejected the car by then. His case is still ongoing.

In the meantime, an employee at a JLR dealership has informed Autocar that, in order to reduce the waiting list for new parts and expedite repairs, the manufacturer has instructed dealers to use second-hand parts. The employee claimed, "JLR has told retailers to source non-genuine parts to get cars fixed and out of their workshops for the last six months." However, the suggestion to use second-hand parts was reportedly ridiculed by retailers, despite being mentioned by a JLR senior manager.

Autocar attempted to verify these claims by contacting the employee, but there was no response.