Finding a Great Car

Finding A Great Car

Things You Need To Know When Buying Used Car Parts For Your Vehicle

by Elaine Kelly

Buying parts for your car or truck is often expensive, and if you are working on a tight budget, you may find that used car parts can help. Used parts are often significantly less expensive than new parts, but there are some trade-offs when working with used auto parts. 

Salvage Parts

The most common place to buy used auto parts for any vehicle is through an auto recycler or salvage yard. The salvage yards will buy used cars and trucks, remove the parts from them, test them to ensure they are working, and then sell them over the counter to people to reuse on their cars. 

The condition of the parts is not guaranteed, but most salvage operations will replace any parts that are not working when you install them. You can expect a thirty-day replacement warranty with most used parts dealers, but because the condition is unknown, they often will not offer more than that. 

The availability of parts can fluctuate with salvage yards because they never know what cars or trucks are coming in. In some cases, they may have a part you need when you call, but if you wait a few days to pick it up, they may not have the part available anymore. It is a good idea to get it as soon as you can.

If there are several salvage yards in the area, you may be able to find the part at another one if you miss the first one, and it can be a good idea to call all of them to check the prices to be sure you are getting the best price possible for the parts you are buying.

Interchange Information

Buying used auto parts can also allow you to purchase parts from vehicles that use the same parts as yours but are a different make and model. Often the salvage operator can look up the interchange information for your car and find the part you need on several vehicles, but it is critical to check the part carefully to ensure it will attach the same way the old part.

Sometimes minor variations on the design make it hard to make an interchange part work, even though they show the same part number or ID. The best way to ensure a proper fit is to take your part with you to the salvage yard and compare them side by side to see if they are identical. 

If there are electrical connections on the part you are buying, check them carefully. They need to have the same number of pins or contacts in them, and the layout must be the same so that the connector on your car will fit the new part. If everything is the same, interchangeable parts can be a great way to buy used auto parts, but you should inspect everything before you purchase the part because you may not be able to return it at some used parts dealers.

Keep these tips in mind when shopping for car parts near you.


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Finding A Great Car

Your car purchase is one of the largest investments you will make. However, many people don't think carefully about what kind of car they want or need, which can spell trouble down the road. Whether you end up choosing a car that is too small for your family or you are left struggling with issues with the engine, it pays to take the time to choose the right vehicle. The purpose of this website is to educate other people about cars, since it isn't something everyone innately understands. Read more on these websites to find out how to choose a car you will love.

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