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| Yes | 93% | 137 votes | Total: 148 votes | |
| No | 7% | 11 votes |
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Add to FavoritesThere is no definitive answer to getting good parts at the junk yard. The answer is yes' and no'.
Would I buy a major component like an engine, transmission, or differential? Not if other options are available. There are too many unknowns with the assembly. If I did, I would rebuild it before attempting to use it.
Was the vehicle wrecked? If so, was this assembly damaged in the accident or did it cause it?
What kind of care did the assembly have while in service? This is an unknown variable that I would not be comfortable with installing in my car.
Major running and electrical components such as Air Conditioning Compressors and alternators may not be in good shape and you won't know until you install it to find out it doesn't work. That is all wasted energy.
That said there are a lot of good components that CAN be obtained through a junkyard (recycling center). For example, factory tinted glass, car rims, mirrors, seats, engine mounts, and sheet metal components like fenders, headlight lens, hoods, trunk lids and trim pieces.
Metal prices are through the roof on many metals used to manufacture an automobile. As metal prices increase so does the cost of replacement components. If the components are on a vehicle and are not damaged, it does the environment as well as your wallet good to use these in the repair of your vehicle. In addition, if they are factory parts you have a better chance of a good fit to your car during installation than with some aftermarket parts that may be available, particularly sheet metal parts.
That said, sometimes you have no choice. If you have an older car where parts are no longer made for it, you may not have any alternative other than "recycled" parts. If that is the case, inspect the parts carefully. Try to ascertain if the parts are genuine OEM by looking for a logo stamp on the component.
There are three components I would never purchase from a junkyard, however. They are:
1. Radiator if this is left empty (particularly if the engine has been removed) you have no way to verify it holds water on site. In addition, the top may look acceptable but that does not guarantee the bottom is free of rust and other harmful elements (dirt, debris, etc) that can damage your engine if installed.
2. A/C condenser again, no guarantee it will hold Freon. This will be expensive if you fill the A/C unit to find a slow leak.
3. Transmission oil cooler similar to the radiator, it is used to circulate transmission oil through a cooler much like the radiator does. The same reasons for not using a junkyard radiator apply to this component as well.
Find a reputable recycler/junk yard in your area. Look at how they store the parts. Are the cars left whole until customers remove the parts? If so, customers removing other parts may damage parts left behind. If the parts are removed by the yard personnel, how are they stored? Are they careful removing parts?
If you purchase parts from a junkyard inquire at the time of purchase of any warranty offered for the parts. What happens if it doesn't fit or doesn't work, etc? How long is the warranty good for? What is the warranty; it is exchange only, cash refund, or store credit only? Weigh all of this before purchasing used parts. Once you have your answers weigh whether it is more cost effective for you to purchase a used part or pay more for a new part. Sometimes you will go with new, sometimes it is possible to buy used.
Learn more about this author, B. L. Babb.
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No
Can you get good auto parts at a junkyard? That depends on what you mean by auto parts. Would I go to a junkyard and get a waterpump, thermostat, and hoses off a junked car? Only if I was completely broke and couldn't afford to buy parts at an auto parts store. So it really depends on your definition of auto parts.
If I were looking for body parts or interior parts, I would use them as a source of good parts. If my engine or transmission went out, I would consider using a used part. So, while there are parts I would consider getting a used part from a wrecking yard, there are allot of auto parts I would shy away from getting used.
If I'm going to spend my Saturday tearing down my the front of my engine to replace the water pump, I am definitely going to put a quality pump back in its place so I don't have to do it again next weekend. If you get a part from the wrecking yard, you really don't know the history of that part or the vehicle it came off of. In my line of work, I occasionally use auto wreckers, but not for your everyday auto parts that are sold in parts stores. I don't know about you, but I just don't like having to do the job over because of a bad part, used or new!
When you say auto parts, I think of the everyday stuff we use. Spark plugs, ignition wires, filters, waterpumps, thermostats, radiators, A/C compressors, brake pads, brake rotors, etc., etc.. None of which I would go to a "junkyard" and buy to put on someones car or truck. The wrecking yard is not a parts store, but a salvage yard. You salvage parts off the vehicle in hopes of a big discount in price. What's the guarantee? Got Milk? Some will offer warranties on some of the parts they sell, but all that means is they'll give you another used part to replace the bad one. They aren't going to put it on for you.
Recently, I had a customer who brought in his 2002 Jag to install a used rack and pinion and lower control arms he had purchased at a wrecking yard. Someone else had told him he needed the parts to fix a problem he was having. To save money, he went to a wrecking yard and purchased the parts. He was referred to me to install them. Upon inspecting the parts before proceeding, I found that the used rack he purchased was the wrong rack for the vehicle. As for the other parts, they were not needed. But he did need new lower ball joints, which come on the spindle assembly. He took the parts back to the wrecker and exchanged them for the right rack and a spindle assembly. He brought the car back with the parts, and upon inspecting the parts, both of the parts were bad. The ball joint in the spindle was worse than the one on his car, and the rack had a bad inner tie rod end which was totally obvious. At that point, I talked him into letting me take care of the car with new parts. When all was said and done, he was happy, the problem was solved and instead of multiple trips to the wrecking yard, his car was fixed! I think after his experience with a wrecking yard, he will prefer to purchase quality new parts instead.
You'll ultimately have to make the decision which way you go when purchasing auto parts. If you like taking a risk to maybe save some money, go for it. But if you feel your time is worth that that, go with a quality new part. Save yourself a headache and have piece of mind knowing that your car is in the best shape when you pack up your kids and head off on vacation.
Learn more about this author, Jeff Mason.
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