When people talk about auto parts, the discussion is often about the cost of the parts—but many people also question the safety of recycled or used auto parts in their vehicles. Putting pieces into your vehicle that have been used prior can be concerning, so the best way to ensure they will work and not leave you stranded is to get the highest quality parts you can for your money and look over the parts carefully when you are buying them.
What To Buy
When you are considering purchasing used car parts to repair your vehicle, there are some parts that are typically safer to use and some that you may want to avoid unless you have some solid mechanical skills. Used auto parts may require some cleaning and care before they are installed on the vehicle, but if you are in a situation where you need a piece that you can't get new and used parts near you are not great, you may need to consider taking things a step further and buying a used part and rebuilding it before you install it in your car.
Typically alternators, starters, engines, and transmissions are all sold as used car parts and tend to be safe because the salvage operator can test them before they are removed from the vehicle. You can often find differentials that are great for rebuilding, but brakes and suspension parts are likely not going to be great options in used condition.
Return Policies
If you are looking for a part that has not been tested, make sure there is an exchange policy in place that allows you to bring the part back if it does not work. Most salvage yards will allow you thirty to ninety days to install and evaluate the piece's condition and still exchange it for another part if the one you purchased is not meeting your needs.
Because used parts have an unknown history, most used car parts dealers will restrict the returns to only exchanges. Look over the parts carefully before purchasing them to ensure you get the most for your money. Electrical parts with scorch marks are likely not a good option and buying an engine assembly that doesn't have oil in it when you pull the dip strip to check it should be a red flag.
Most used auto parts dealers are upstanding businesses, and they want to sell good parts at a fair price. If you have a problem with a part, talk with the business owner about the situation, and they will try to find a solution to help you. Like anything you purchase, you do need to use caution when buying used car parts, but for the most part, these parts are safe to use in your car and can significantly lower the cost of a major repair.