Need to replace a part or two on your vehicle? Are you hoping to do it in the most economical fashion possible? Finding and installing used auto parts is an excellent way to get the job done. But how do you find the auto parts you need at the price point you’re looking for? Heading to a salvage yard is likely your best bet.
Read on to learn about some of the most heavily discounted auto parts you can almost always get at a salvage yard.
1. Car Tires, Rims, & Wheels
If your existing tires are on the way out and you’re not ready to shell out hundreds for a new set, you can almost always find quality used tires at a salvage yard. Aside from the tires themselves, you can typically also get your hands on wheels and rims.
How much do you stand to save by opting for used? Brand new tires can range from about $50-$350 apiece, depending on the type of vehicle you own. Compare that to the cost of used tires, which typically ranges from $30-$160, and it’s easy to see: Taking the used route can save you a significant amount.
2. Transmissions
If your transmission is on the fritz, taking care of the issue can put a serious dent in your wallet unless you opt for used parts. A rebuilt transmission will run you anywhere from $1,100 to $2,800 while opting for transmission repair with a used component typically costs around $1,150. When you factor in labor expenses to get everything hooked up and running, buying and installing a used transmission can potentially save you thousands in replacement costs.
3. Engines
What should you do when you know serious engine repairs are on the horizon? If your vehicle is on the verge of catastrophic engine failure, replacing the existing part with a used engine is probably the most economical choice.
While you can certainly opt for a new engine, that’ll run you about $5,000 for a four-cylinder and even more if your vehicle requires a more powerful motor. Depending on the current value of your vehicle, engine repair with brand-new parts may cost you more than what your ride is actually worth.
4. Bumpers
Got in a fender bender? There’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a new bumper at a salvage yard for dirt cheap. Perhaps it won’t be a color match for your vehicle, but that’s an easily fixable issue. Since you’ll likely be heading to an auto body repair shop to have the bumper installed, you can ask the techs to repaint the used bumper the same color as your ride.
5. Car Doors
Like bumpers, there’s a surplus of quality car doors at most salvage yards. If you were recently involved in a collision or your vehicle door sustained some other form of damage, car door repair from a body shop can be pricey. Rather than shelling out the cash for dent removal plus a paint job, you can save a bundle by opting to purchase a used car door and then having it installed and painted.
6. Fenders
Just as there are hundreds, possibly thousands, of car doors and bumpers at most salvage yards, there are also tons of fenders, which you can get for pennies on the dollar compared to buying brand new. Putting a used fender on your vehicle can be quite a bit cheaper than opting to pay an auto body repair shop to pull a dent out, too.
New fenders can be quite pricey, running anywhere from $100-$1,000, sometimes even more. When you opt for a used car part, on the other hand, your fender will likely cost you somewhere in the ballpark of $40-$70.
7. Headlights
Whether you’re in the market for new halogen, LED, or Xenon headlights, there’s a good chance you can find the used car parts you’re looking for at a salvage yard. Why opt for used rather than new?
Because discounted auto parts from a salvage yard are still in good condition, and when you purchase your headlights at Ace, our light installation specialists can even put them on your ride. Plus, new headlights will cost you hundreds of dollars more than what you’d pay for both the parts and installation service at a salvage yard.
8. Mirrors
No matter what kind of vehicle you own, you can find both side mirrors and rearview mirrors for it at a salvage yard. So if you ever become the victim of a drive-by side mirror swipe, don’t rush right out to purchase brand new mirrors! The same idea applies if your front-mounted rearview mirror develops a crack or detaches from your windshield.
When you buy them brand new, rear view and side mirrors can cost several hundred dollars between the cost of parts and labor. But at a salvage yard, you can find these used car parts for just a small fraction of what you’d pay for them new.
Ace Auto Parts: Your Twin Cities Source for Quality Discount Auto Parts
If you’re on the hunt for quality discount auto parts, look no further than Ace! Since 1929, we’ve proudly provided Twin Cities vehicle owners with a wide selection of used auto parts and we have thousands of vehicle components in our inventory. And if you need a part we don’t have, we’ll make sure we get our hands on it.
To learn more about what we have in stock, feel free to head to our Rice Street location in St. Paul, or give us a call today at 651-717-4299. Question or concerns? Send us a message, and we’ll be in touch!