Used Car Airbags
Airbags are the safety parts you hope never to need: bags that inflate in a fraction of a second in a crash, cushioning the driver and passengers. When one has gone off, or its warning light stays on, it needs attention — and a used airbag can be the repair that makes sense. This page explains what to check and how to enquire. A safe-handling process is in place for airbags.
Call 07961 404768WhatsApp 07961 404768What airbags do
An airbag is a fabric bag folded into the steering wheel, the dashboard, the seats or the roof lining, with a gas generator behind it. In a crash, sensors detect the impact and the generator fills the bag in a fraction of a second, cushioning the person before they hit the wheel, the dashboard or the door.
Airbags work with the seatbelts, not instead of them: the belt holds you back while the bag cushions you. The system is checked by the car every time it starts, and if the airbag light stays on, the system has found a fault and may not work in a crash.
Signs airbag parts may need replacing
Airbag trouble usually shows up as a warning light, or after an airbag has gone off in a crash. Either way, it is a safety fault, and it should not be left.
- The airbag warning light staying on after starting
- An airbag that has gone off in a crash and needs replacing
- A steering wheel, dashboard or seat airbag cover that is split
- A clock spring or sensor fault shown on a diagnostic check
- Seatbelt pretensioners that have fired and not been reset
What to check before buying a used airbag
Airbags are safety parts, so check them more carefully than most — and have your mechanic confirm the part is safe to fit. A used airbag should be the right part, complete, and handled properly. A safe-handling process is in place for airbags here, and that handling is part of how they are dealt with.
- The part number matches the one on your car
- The unit is complete, with no sign it has gone off
- The cover is undamaged, with no splits or tears
- The connectors are clean and the pins are straight
- Your mechanic has confirmed the part is safe to fit
How to enquire about a used airbag
Give the registration, make, model and year of your car, and say which airbag you need — the driver's, the passenger's, a side or a curtain airbag. Airbags are matched to the car and the position, so the registration alone is not enough.
Use the parts enquiry form, or call 07961 404768. Say whether the airbag has gone off, or whether the warning light is on, and what a diagnostic check has shown, so the right part can be checked first.
Frequently asked questions
What is an airbag?
An airbag is a fabric bag folded into the steering wheel, dashboard, seat or roof lining, with a gas generator behind it. In a crash, sensors detect the impact and the generator fills the bag in a fraction of a second, cushioning the person before they hit the wheel or dashboard.
Why is my airbag light on?
The airbag light staying on means the system has found a fault — a sensor, a clock spring, a pretensioner or a connection. While the light is on, the system may not work in a crash. Have it checked promptly with a diagnostic scan, and do not ignore it.
Can a used airbag be fitted to my car?
A used airbag can be fitted if it is the right part for your car, complete and undamaged, and your mechanic confirms it is safe to fit. Airbags are safety parts, so the part number must match and the unit must show no sign of having gone off.
What is a clock spring?
A clock spring is a coiled ribbon of wiring inside the steering wheel that lets the airbag, horn and steering controls stay connected while the wheel turns. If it fails, the airbag light comes on and the horn or controls may stop working. It is a common cause of airbag warnings.
What should I ask about a used airbag?
Ask for the part number and whether the airbag matches your car, and which airbag it is — driver, passenger, side or curtain. Airbags are matched by number and position, and a safe-handling process is in place here. Give the registration when you enquire, and the part is checked against it.
Related pages
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Call 07961 404768WhatsApp 07961 404768Autos Craft Ltd · 295 Cherrywood Rd, Birmingham B9 4UU, United Kingdom · Open 24 hours