How You Can Save Hundreds of Dollars With Used Car Parts

Auto repair bills can be painful. Many car owners just grimace and take the hit, completely unaware that they may be leaving money on the table. 

Paying for brand new car parts can seem like the only solution to ensure your car runs properly after a repair. Fortunately, many repairs can be done utilizing used auto parts, resulting in substantial savings and a well-done repair.

Let’s see how you can save hundreds by choosing used car parts instead of new ones.

How to save money by buying used car parts

If you’re doing the work on your vehicle yourself, you’ve already dodged spending a large chunk of cash in mechanic shop labor costs. Even if you’re using a mechanic, they may allow you to source parts to help you save some money. Taking time to shop around for parts can bring your expenses even lower, no matter which way you choose to repair your vehicle. 

When you’re looking for parts, you’ll notice new factory, new aftermarket, refurbished, and as-is used parts that may work for your vehicle repairs. 

There are times when you really want new parts, like when you need to replace windshield wipers. Parts like these burn out quickly and aren’t very expensive, so don’t worry too much about saving a few extra dollars on these parts, as used or worn down parts like these will just have to be replaced again soon.

Most car parts, though, can be pre-owned and have plenty of life left. Before you go buying parts sight-unseen from some clunker off Craigslist, consider a reputable salvage yard, like Tear-a-Part. With a little elbow grease and a handful of tools, you can get the pieces you need for your repairs that are in good condition and less expensive from salvage yards easily.

Most salvage yards like Tear-a-Part are self-service. You bring your tools and you do the work. That’s why the savings are so significant. But don’t think you’ll be left to your own devices to find what you need, salvage yard employees can help you find the same vehicle model or one with compatible parts.

What can you find at a salvage yard?

If it comes on a vehicle, you can find it at a salvage yard. The cars and trucks on the lot are junked vehicles that are still “pickable.” Meaning you can pick them over for what you need.

Some serious DIYers will pull everything they need to rebuild a car from the salvage yard. If you’re not up for pulling an engine, that’s okay, too. You can easily grab smaller parts like a battery or a starter. The complexity of which parts you remove will depend on what you need and your experience. 

Are the savings really that good?

According to CarGurus, salvaged auto parts are much cheaper than their brand new counterparts.

Typical savings depend on the part, but are around 50% of the price of a new one from the manufacturer. Sometimes you might really strike gold and save even more. 

A good visual for the savings potential of pulling parts at a salvage yard is a busted transmission. Most vehicles will have a less expensive transmission than the following model, but it really illustrates the fact nicely.

Suppose you need a transmission for the much-loved 7.3L Ford F-250 Powerstroke. You just don’t want to go give up this truck for the sake of one irreparable transmission. So you do a little digging and find a refurbished transmission that can be shipped to your house for you to install for a whopping $3,000. 

You may seriously consider purchasing the transmission, especially since your mechanic quoted you over $5,000 for the repair. Then, a buddy reminds you about the salvage yard down the road. He got a few parts there not too long ago for his own truck.

With some help, you were able to go down to the lot and find a truck with the same transmission you need. The price? Depending on the salvage yard, the transmission may be several hundred dollars less. Your total savings, including the service fees at the mechanic’s garage? 85%. That’s a huge difference.

What is the expected lifespan of recycled parts?

You can expect the same lifespan from used car parts as you did your own. So, if you find an original A/C compressor from a salvaged vehicle for your own car, you can expect to have the same number of years that you had previously with your old A/C compressor, which is usually 8-10 years give or take the number of years the car has been on the road. 

If you choose older parts, you may find them going out more frequently. A lot of this depends on the individual parts and how long they typically last from the factory, how much the previous owner used them, and if the vehicle was well maintained.

Red flags to watch out for

Not all junked cars are equal. When you’re looking for parts, knowing what to watch out for can be the difference between a dud and a winner. 

In general, look for a vehicle that has parts that aren’t ruined from a wreck. See if the car was tested to determine if it functions, too.

More than anything, always make sure you choose a junkyard that is straightforward and honest with you. They’ll earn your business with quality replacement parts instead of trying to con you into nonfunctional equipment.

And remember just because a car is salvaged doesn’t mean that all of its parts are shotty or not working. New parts can be great investments, but you should always shop around to see if they’re worth the price a mechanic is asking before making a decision that dwindles down your budget.