7 Tips For Buying Used Auto Parts

Also ask about the title for the car. The car may have a salvage or rebuildable title. This indicates that an insurance company got the car due to a claim and that the state issued a salvage title. The majority of the time, this type of car will be fixable. You'll just need to get a vehicle inspection.

First, know the year, make model, size motor, etc. of your vehicle. Also, know what you are looking for. If the auto rep needs any other information, he will ask. If you do not know all the important details about your vehicle, just give the VIN number. It is on your title or usually inside the front driver's door. The customer service representative will assist you in finding the VIN number.



It's cheaper. This, should really go without saying. Buying new parts for a restoration project can be very expensive. Many older cars require spare parts that are no longer made by the manufacturer and so they have to be sourced from specialist suppliers. This can mean that they are much more expensive than the original parts and they can often be very hard to get a hold of. If the parts are too expensive it may mean that the car itself has become uneconomic to repair or restore.

While some mechanics are fighting this change, quite a few are embracing it. They realize they no longer are responsible for warranties on parts. Also, they no longer have to worry about paying their parts suppliers on time. In fact, some mechanics actually give out web addresses to companies they want their customers to purchase from. Even though they lose the profit they would have made on the parts, they will generally have fewer headaches when it comes to getting such parts for their customers. A few mechanics have even gone as far as just charging more for the labor.

Maybe you are the do-it-yourselfer. Then salvage title cars are just for you. You can get excellent deals on cars and feed your addiction to cars by fixing it up. You can even get parts from your dealer or from a local salvage yard.

Your Options Galore: At an online auto parts marketplace, there's an abundance of suppliers offering millions of products. Hence the chances of your finding exactly what you're looking for and of the quality you desire, are much higher. Compare this to a visit to a brick 'n' mortar auto parts store which can only house as much variety of products as the floor space warrants.

Sometimes, when you buy more than one auto part, such discounts are offered. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of this. There are certain parts, like air filters, which have to be replaced regularly. So if you are offered a discount for buying more than one air filter, why not take it?

Every junk yard is a little different with regard to pricing. And the amount you can expect to save will vary based on the type of item you're looking for. For example, car seats may carry higher savings than fuel pumps. As a general rule, you should expect to pay 40% to 50% less than you would for a comparable new unit. A brand new "straight-from-the-box" alternator might cost $200. At a female car insurance, you should expect to pay $100 to $120 for the same brand and model.

See if you can find anyone who has bought anything from the particular dealer in the past and if they are satisfied with their purchase. You could also get in touch with auto restoration professionals to guide you in your collection effort. They are experts in restoring vintage cars and they know a great deal about these parts.