If you own a Dodge vehicle, a Dodge salvage yard is the ideal spot to get cheap parts for it. Any large auto junk yard worth its salt will have an exclusive section dedicated to the Dodge brand, but there are places that specialize in only Dodge. Below I’ll share how the Dodge salvage yards near me work, where to look for one, share advice on getting cash for your vehicle, and share the ups and downs of getting cheap used auto parts.
Map of Dodge Salvage Yards Near Me
For “Dodge Junk Yards Near Me” or “Dodge Salvage Yards Near Me”, see the map below…
If you have limited results for local Dodge salvage yards, you can either try and widen the search range or try your local auto car salvo. They should carry plenty of Dodge’s and provide a great place for discounted used parts. If you are looking for classics, you may also want to try classic car yards or muscle car junkyards as well. These will have plenty of choices for American muscle and Mopar vehicles.
How Does a Dodge Salvage Yard Operate
Dodge salvos are businesses that are run at the local level. The Dodge salvage yards near me are known for both buying and selling Dodge cars, trucks (including RAM), and vans. At times they will sell used Dodge’s, like a used car dealership, and other times they sell the vehicles for parts.
How Do Dodge Vehicles Get in the Yard
All auto salvages operate slightly differently, but generally, all get their stock the same way. This is through the community or via an insurance company.
When an auto yard gets a vehicle from the general public, it’s often because the owner couldn’t fix it. In many cases, they tried but then decided to sell to a junk car buyer or salvage. When an auto junkyard gets a vehicle from an insurance co, it’s likely because of an accident. This provides a great benefit to the insurance company because they can sell the car to offset some of the payout of a claim. The salvage yard gets a vehicle, sometimes a newer vehicle that has many parts that they can profit from through pick and pull.
How Junkyards Process Their Vehicles
When a vehicle is taken to the auto yard, no matter the condition, it requires some high-level maintenance done, before it can be picked apart on the lot.
First, all the fluids are drained. This includes anti-freeze, wiper fluid, gas, and motor oil. The motor oil is recycled as deemed by state laws. Other fluids are repackaged and sold at heavily discounted prices.
At times Dodge junkyards will also pull out both the engine and the battery. If the battery is extracted it will be tested and charged for resale. The engine may be rebuilt and resold with a warranty. This is a great way of finding rebuilt old engines for old classic Dodge’s!
If a vehicle actually runs, they may try and fix it and sell it with a salvage title. Alternatively, they may take a car or truck to auction and sell it with a group of other junk cars.
If you are curious about what happens to recycled car parts and how they are reused, click here.
How a Dodge Junk Yard is Arranged
The Dodge yard near me is organized by model and then a year. A well-organized car lot is essential for finding the parts you need quickly. It’s also a sign of a well-run business. When the models are all together it makes finding parts more efficient. This is because Dodge uses the same parts for multiple years and models of their vehicles.
Normally you will find the most popular models towards the front such as Dodge Ram trucks. You can find some rare old-school Dodge’s, but likely they have been picked apart pretty heavily unless it’s new inventory. Any decent auto salvo though, will have a section exclusive to the Dodge brand.
Below is a list of the common models you will find at a Dodge salvo:
- Challenger
- Durango
- Journey
- Charger and Charger LX
- Caravan
- Dart
- Ram Pickup
- Dakota
- Nitro
- Avenger
- Caliber
- Ram Van
- Magnum
- Spirit
- Intrepid
- Stratus
- Monaco
- Ramcharger
- Ram SRT-10
- Rampage
- Shadow
- Daytona
- Dynasty
- Colt
- Omni
- C Series Trucks
- Lancer
- Super Bee
- Power Wagon
- D Series Trucks
- Regis
- Super Bee
- Mirada
- LCF Series Trucks
If you are looking for old-school vehicles like the Dodge 330, Dodge 440, La Femme, or the Polara…these will be super rare finds. If you do find one it will probably be rusted to all hell!
The Dodge salvage yards near me keep an online database of all the vehicles on the lot as well as a parts inventory. You can search for it online and worst case you can have them pull the part for you and ship it. This usually will take a few days if you are requesting them to pull the part.
If the junkyard near you doesn’t have an online db, try giving them a call before you waste time walking aimlessly around their lot. I often will call the place near me to ask questions like: “Do you have a passenger side door for a 1998 Durango”? or “Do you have a windshield for a 2008 Dodge Caravan”?
What Kind of Used Dodge Parts Can You Find at a Junk Yard?
Dodge junk yards are the mecca for saving money on used parts. You can find doors, windshields, tires, mirrors, handles, radiators, side panels, exhaust systems, water pumps, etc. It’s sometimes possible you can get a part that is brand new. This is often the case when someone tries to fix their car themselves and then decides to scrap it for cash when they don’t want to deal with it anymore.
This occurs when a salvo picks up a brand-new vehicle that was totaled in an accident. Just because the insurance company said it’s totaled, doesn’t mean there aren’t some pristine parts prime for the picking. If the vehicle just came in the yard and it’s a late model it is full of new parts.
What Happens After a Dodge Gets Stripped at the Junkyard?
When a Dodge has been stripped to the frame and left like an empty shell, what remains gets sold off as scrap metal. This ensures that the junkyard can get the last bit of value out of the vehicle and make room on the lot. A busy and well-run auto salvo will refresh the lot every 6 months, while a not-so-good lot lets the vehicles rust out.
Buying Used Dodge Parts at a Salvage Yard
Pros of Buying Used Dodge Parts at a Salvage Yard
The ideal way to keep money in your pocket is to buy used parts. You can purchase a sideview mirror for $15 or less, a front door for $60 or less, used tires for $25 or less, and a used battery for $13 or less. In fact, you can get the parts cheap and resell them for a profit online.
If you are not sure of the quality of the part, most junk yards offer a warranty. It’s normally $10 to $15 per part. If you buy the part and it doesn’t work, you can exchange it for something else. At most yards they don’t offer cashback…just credit.
Another pro is that you may find Dodge manufacturer-assembled parts. This is much better than finding something that some hack mechanic bolted onto the vehicle
Cons of Buying Used Dodge Parts Cheap
Obviously, not all used parts are good parts, your quality may vary. You have no idea how much wear and tear is on them or what crazy abuse the previous owner put on them. If the odometer is still in the car you could check to see the mileage if you bring a small test battery. That’s why I always get a warranty if the part is kind of expensive.
Another con is that you may spend hours at the junk yard and never find what you need. This is the case when a yard is poorly run and there is no organization or online inventory to reference. I often call ahead to mitigate the risk of wasting my time.
Tips For Selling Your Dodge to an Auto Salvage
Want to junk your Dodge for cash? Before selling it to a salvo yard, follow these tips:
- Siphon out your gas and save it for your own reuse
- Clean out all your things from the vehicle.
- Cancel insurance, registration, and plates. (The junk yard will charge you for this service)
- Know the value of your Dodge before you sell it
When you sell your Dodge car, truck, or van to a junk yard you need to be aware of some shady business practices. Read our article on salvo yard scams. My best advice is that if the vehicle runs, has recently been taken off the road, or has valuable parts still in it…NEGOTIATE. My Dodge salvage yard always starts at the scrap metal price when they buy from you. If you think your car has more than scrap value, try and get it.
For more tips on how to get the most money when you junk a vehicle, click here.
Resources for Dodge Vehicles
- Dodge Homepage
- Dodge Wiki
- Reddit r/Dodge
- The Official Dodge Forum
- The Official Dodge Ram Forum
- The Dodge Talk Forum
- The Dodge and Dodge Brothers Forum
Dodge Salvage Yards Near Me – Wrap-Up
Junkyards and salvages are the best resource for collectors, mechanics, or enthusiasts. Even if you can’t locate a Dodge auto salvage locally, likely any auto salvage will carry Dodge vehicles. These will be the best places to find used Dodge parts cheaply. In the long run, you will save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on car parts and possibly find rare parts for restoration.
It’s important to understand how junk yards work and how they negotiate…know the risks and the process before you sell. On the whole, most car junk yards do good honest business, but be on the lookout for the tricks. That’s what I have learned from the Dodge salvage yards near me. No go get some cheap parts and get that ol’Dodge runnin”.
