Knowing Which Auto Parts to Replace

Four Benefits Of Buying Used Auto Parts

When your vehicle breaks down, it can be incredibly stressful. Some people only have one vehicle and need to get it back on the road as quickly as possible. For those living paycheck to paycheck, a vehicle repair at the shop can blow their entire budget. Even if money isn't a concern, a good auto repair shop isn't likely going to be able to get you in right away. A great alternative for people who have a few basic tools and are even slightly mechanically inclined or simply "know a guy" is to go to a salvage yard. Here are four benefits of buying used auto parts.

The Price

Like anything, used is almost always going to cost less than new, and the savings can be substantial. Unless your vehicle is especially rare or you are looking for a vintage part, used is the way to go.

The Quality

When a vehicle goes to the salvage yard, the mechanics strip everything they can off of it before the frame goes to the metal crusher to be recycled. Often, these parts they remove are OEM, which means they were produced by the original vehicle manufacturer. This is not the case when you buy a new part. The quality of a new part manufactured by a third party may not be as good as the original part was. The materials may be of a lesser quality. The new part also may or may not fit as it should, making it more of a hassle to use and potentially delaying your much-needed repairs if it doesn't fit properly without adjustments. Salvage yard mechanics also typically clean and refurbish used parts if needed before they are sold.

The Convenience

Unless your vehicle is extremely rare or extremely common, the chances of your local salvage yard having the exact part you need is high. You won't need to wait for your mechanic shop to order the part you need; at a salvage yard, the part you need will almost always be readily available.

The Environment

According to recent statistics, almost 12 million vehicles are recycled in the United States every year. This makes a car the most recycled item in the nation. When you choose used auto parts over newly manufactured parts, you are participating in this recycling chain. This saves countless barrels of oil and reduces energy expenditures, which in turn is better for the whole planet.