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Can you get quality auto parts at a junkyard?
Results so far:
| Yes | 88% | 500 votes | Total: 565 votes | |
| No | 12% | 65 votes |
Yes
by Mike Mccarthy
Created on: February 27, 2009
The answer to this question must be a resounding YES!
Why do I sound so confident, simply because its something I do all the time.
My hobby is off road driving. This means the vehicle I use meets the edge of its capabilities all the time. This means things break more often, things wear out earlier than the manufacturers guidelines.
To keep my hobby affordable, I regularly source parts from Salvage and Breakers yards. These people have come on in leaps and bounds since the old days of distrust and the feeling of being ripped off as you walk away with your purchase. No longer do you see stacks of car hulks, and wander around looking for a demised version of your vehicle so that you can scavange what you need.
More often than not, the yard will have already stripped off the most common salvageable items. They will have been cleaned and sorted, and even have model numbers written on them for easy identification. I agree that you sometimes pay a little more for this, but, it's much better than wading around in the mud with a spanner in one hand and a screwdriver in the other.
Also, such yards tend to specialise a bit, and this of course increases the chances of them having exactly what you need. This specialisation can be by manufacturer or by vehicle type. Some also split this specialisation between domestic and commercial vehicles too.
A secondary service you can also find at these breakers yards is one of reconditioning of some parts. Alternators, Starter Motors and this sort of thing can be obtained with a warranty, which certainly helps when it comes to peace of mind.
My experiences so far validate my assertion that you do indeed get quality auto parts from such sources. However, like all similar situations, service and reliability comes best from someone you use regularly. This increases the possibility of the exchange of an item if it does not meet the purpose it was sold for, or, you have been very human and purchased the wrong thing.
I would avoid any consumable vehicle items though, some things should always be bought as new. Such as, filters, spark plugs, HT leads and anything else that are normally replaced during a normal vehicle service. I would also avoid things like bearings unless you actually see the working surfaces and are happy that they are reuseable. I make this point as these are the things I often source.
Hopefully this will help those that are hesitant in using Salvage and Breakers Yards. If you are not personally confident in buying car parts this way, take along someone with more knowledge. Over time you will gain the confidence too, and this will help you save money while keeping that car on the road.
Learn more about this author, Mike Mccarthy.
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No
by Miranda Pierson
Created on: January 15, 2010
While it is possible to come across adequate parts at a junkyard, it is definitely not the recommended method of obtaining quality auto parts. Most of the pieces found within the junkyard are there for a reason. Either the parts are broken, or they did not serve their purpose efficiently. Also, while a part may appear to be in good condition at the junkyard, it may be defective and not function correctly. Nevertheless, it is not always possible to obtain quality auto parts at a junkyard.
At times, searching for quality auto parts within the junkyard is more appealing than having to spend the money on ordering a new part. Auto parts can be very expensive. Also, sometimes the parts found within the junkyard are not exceptionally damaged. Some of the parts within the junkyard may even appear to be brand new. Nevertheless, finding the part in the junkyard is the economical alternative to ordering the new auto part.
As beneficial as these circumstances may seem, the result does not always conclude as desired. Ordering the auto part is easier than searching through the junkyard. Also, the new auto part is guaranteed to be new, whereas the auto part within the junkyard may have been used. It is possible to find the desired part within the junkyard, however, one has to be experienced enough to know what they are looking for and to have a good idea upon observation of whether or not the part will function properly. A person that does not have experience, will have a smaller chance of being able to find the quality parts at the junkyard.
Yet even with experience, the process can still be difficult. The auto part in the junkyard can have a good appearance, yet may not work. Typically, there is a reason as to why the parts are in the junkyard. They could be defective, or broken in a subliminal way. Nevertheless, a person may spend an abundance of time searching for the proper part, only to find that the part does not work in the way that it should. This means that the person will have to again search the junkyard in order to find another part. This endeavor can develop into an endless cycle.
Ultimately, finding quality auto parts at a junkyard is a matter of perspective. Most of the time, brand new auto parts are not going to be located in the junkyard. It could happen, but it is more likely to find used auto parts within the junkyard. These used auto parts can either be damaged, broken, or in good condition. If the auto parts are in good condition, then they can be considered quality auto parts. However, finding these parts can be challenging and time consuming. In the end, if you want a new auto part that will work effectively, and you do not want to have to search for it, then it is probably not favorable to search through the junkyard.
Learn more about this author, Miranda Pierson.
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