Buying and Selling Used Auto Parts and Car Parts

Used auto parts offer benefits to both buyers and sellers. If you have a car to dispose of, either because it is old or has been totaled in an accident, selling your car to a salvage yard for used car parts lets you get some money back and helps keep scrap metal and other toxins out of landfills.

As the buyer of used car parts, you benefit by keeping money in your pocket. Car repairs can be a major expense, and often, the auto parts can cost more than the labor to install them. Finding good used auto parts can save you time (getting them shipped from a manufacturer) and money, whether you do the repairs or have a service company handle that for you.

You might be amazed at the variety of used car parts available. Most categories of auto parts can be used safely if they are in good working order. Used auto body parts like lights, door hinges, windows and windshields, and moldings can offer good savings. The engine, suspension and under-chassis mechanical, and electrical wiring, bulbs, switches, and connectors are widely available at a used car part outlet for a fraction of the new retail cost.

Before you place an order for a used car part, there are a few things to keep in mind. After all, even though the right used auto part can save you money, buying the wrong one will only waste your money and your time.

- Know the exact make and model information for your vehicle, including its model year and VIN

- Know the exact part number for the piece you are trying to replace

- Know what the problem was with the old part so you can be sure the new part does not have the same issue

- Ask if the part is in "new" condition or if it has been reconditioned. Often you can find used auto parts from a car that was less than a year old or had very low mileage but was totaled in an accident.

When you find the right used car part and know its price, decide if it is worth the savings. Replacing a side mirror or tail light with a used part makes sense. But any part that wears out over time, such as break rotors or alternators, is only a good deal if it is in close-to-new condition and offered at a good discount off the new retail price.