Core charge

A core charge is a deposit added to the price of parts such as batteries, alternators, starters and transmissions. You get it back when you return your old part, called the core, which goes to a remanufacturer or recycler.

If you’re junking a car, intact cores like the battery, alternator and starter are part of its value. If you’re buying parts, keep the old one and its box to claim the refund.

Washington’s wrecker law defines a “core” as a major component part received by a vehicle wrecker in exchange for a like part it sold, which is not resold as a major component except for scrap metal value or remanufacture. The wrecker must keep records of who supplied it for three years.¹