For years, I really struggled with the concept of taking care of my car. I wanted a vehicle that worked well for me and my family, but I had no idea how to find the right car. I began working really hard to think about what I needed and what I should do, and I was able to find a car that was within my price range and that would fit my entire family. After working with my lender and securing financing, it was nice to drive away in a car that I felt great about using. Check out this blog for great information on automotive problems.
If you have a major piece of equipment that you need to replace on your vehicle, and a new replacement part is out of your budget, used automotive parts may be exactly what you need. There are various ways that you can go about sourcing a used auto part.
#1 Local Salvage Yard
One option you have is to check with your local salvage yard to see if they have a similar vehicle in their yard with the parts that you need. Most auto salvage yards keep a running inventory of all the vehicles and parts that they have in stock, as well as what other vehicle's those parts are compatible with.
For example, a company may have used the same transmission in more than one year of the vehicle, thus a transmission from the previous year of a vehicle that is the same make and model as your vehicle would work.
Many salvage yards pull out these parts for you, so all you need to do is drop by and purchase the part.
At other salvage yards though, they expect you to go out and source the part from the vehicle yourself. If this is the case, you are going to need to bring along a screwdriver, hammer, crowbar, wrench and gloves to help you remove the parts you need. You are also going to need to automotive know-how so you can identify and remove the part that your vehicle needs.
#2 Purchase Through an Online Company
Second, you can purchase used car-parts online. There are a wide variety of ways you can purchase used car parts online. Some salvage and junkyards list their inventory online, so you could check the inventory of nearby salvage and junkyards for a part that you could pick up in person, or you can check salvage yards that are a considerable distance from you that are willing to ship you the used part.
Online classified sites, such as eBay, offer a host of used car parts. These used car parts may be re-sold from auto shops or just from individuals who have spare parts that they are trying to get rid of.
There are also a few sites that act as online databases of used parts, which allow you to search for used parts around the world to find what you need.
When purchasing used parts, always be aware of the shipping. Make sure that the shipping cost does not make the used part more expensive than a new car part. Also, make sure that the shipping window fits with your repair needs. A car part that will take a month to get you to you from overseas may not be worth waiting on.
When purchasing used car parts for your vehicle, you can purchase locally or online. Just make sure that you know what you are looking for and be sure to factor in the shipping costs and time if you purchase a part online.