Used auto parts salvage yards are the best place to get heavily discounted used parts for your vehicle. These places allow you to bring tools and pull parts from wrecked vehicles.You only pay for the auto parts that you need. In some places, pre-pull the salvage parts and you can shop in their warehouse. In this article, I will share my experience with buying used salvage auto parts near me, where to find a place near you, the pros and cons of used parts, and how these places work.
Map of Salvage Auto Parts Near Me
For “Used Auto Parts Salvage Yards Near Me”, “Salvage Auto Parts Near Me, or “Salvage Yards Near Me That Sell Parts”, see the map below…
Search Results: When you’re on the hunt for a junk car or car parts from other models, junkyards are your go-to destination. These hidden gems offer budget-friendly solutions to fix up your cars with a wide variety of options.
Salvage Yards Near Me That Sell Parts
If you are wondering where to buy used auto parts or who buys used auto parts near me, your local salvo is the answer. There are many used auto parts salvages in every section of the country. Some are mixed salvage yards, where you can find various vehicle types, while others are specialized to specific vehicle types or even brands. Some of the popular vehicle types that have dedicated used part salvos are car junkyards, truck junkyards, motorcycle junkyards, boat junkyards, and RV junkyards.
Salvage auto parts, also known as recycled or used auto parts, are components from vehicles that have been declared total losses by insurance companies due to accidents, damage, or other reasons. These parts are then removed, inspected, and can be resold for use in repairing other vehicles. At a more granular level, there are some yards that deal exclusively in used parts for one brand. Some of the most popular brand-exclusive junkyards in my experience are Jeep, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, BMW, and Volkswagen. These yards only carry those brands of vehicles on their lot. They are the ideal place to visit if you are doing a restoration or repair.
How the Used Auto Parts Salvage Yards Near Me Work
The used auto parts salvage yards near me operate like any local business. The way it works is they work is that they buy inoperable or wrecked vehicles and then sell them for used parts. They allow you to walk around their yard with your tools and pick and pull any parts that are attached to any vehicle. You can then purchase the parts for heavily discounted prices. Some yards even pre-pull parts off the vehicles and then sell the used auto parts online and/or out of a warehouse.
Most yards get their inventory of vehicles through three different sources: private owners, insurance companies, or the police. In the case of private owners the vehicle gets junked for cash often because the cost of repair is more than the value of the vehicle. Insurance companies junk vehicles to offset paying out insurance claims after an accident where the vehicle is totaled. Police junk vehicles often when a vehicle is in an accident, it is not claimed by an insurance company, and it’s too damaged to sell at auction.
Vehicles generally go through some level of basic processing before they hit the lot. at the places that have salvage auto parts near me, they have major fluids drained for resale and in certain situations, even the engine or the battery will get pulled out. The salvage yards near me that sell used parts, even pull the used tires off beforehand to sell individually. After all that, the vehicle hits the lot to be picked apart by the public. Once it has all its value stripped the salvo will either leave it to rust or sell what remains for scrap metal.
Who Buys Used Auto Parts Near Me?
Often the salvage yards near me that sell parts are also the same places that buy used auto parts near me. In my experience, the salvage auto parts near me will negotiate with you if you have parts that are valuable and functional. You will however not get anywhere near the same price you can get if you sold it yourself on Craigslist or Ebay Motors. The used auto parts salvage yards near me will offer you basically the scrap metal price for your part and no more. They consider the weight of the part and the type of metal and make you an offer. They do this because they need room to make a profit.
Navigating auto parts salvage yards can be a rewarding adventure, but it comes with some essential guidelines. Safety should be your utmost concern; don sturdy boots and gloves to shield yourself from potential hazards. Bringing basic tools like wrenches and pliers is a smart move for efficient part extraction. Your best way to get the most value from selling your used parts is to find a private buyer. If you happen to have parts for something special like a classic car, you may want to contact a local auto body or dealership because you will have parts that are no longer manufactured.
Buying Salvage Auto Parts
As you scour the yard, keep an eye out for parts in decent condition, avoiding heavily damaged items. Bargaining is common practice, so don’t shy away from negotiating for a good deal. Buying used parts for any vehicle type such as a car, truck, boat, RV, motorcycle, etc has its pros and cons. It’s important to weigh the risks vs the rewards before deciding if salvage parts are right for you. It’s always worth looking before you consider buying new parts from one of the top auto part retailers. These guidelines will help you make the most of your salvage yard visit. Happy hunting!
Advantages of Used Auto Parts
Saving money is clearly the biggest advantage of buying parts used. You can save hundreds of dollars vs going to an auto parts store. Some common price points you will see are batteries for $12, alternators for $18, and a driver-side door for $60. At some yards, you can get a warranty on what you buy. For an additional $10 to $15 you can get some assurance that the part is still good. If you take it home and it doesn’t work you have 30 days to exchange for credit. Sure thing! Buying used parts can be a real money-saver. You see, new car parts can cost a pretty penny, but going for used ones can keep your wallet happy. Plus, it’s eco-friendly, recycling parts instead of tossing them out. So, there you have it, the advantages of used auto parts in a nutshell!
Another benefit is the types of manufacturer-assembled parts available. You will original parts at junkyards which are critical if you are doing a restoration project. I have pulled various parts over the years including panels, rims, carbs, manifolds, radiators, wiring harnesses, dashboards, mirrors, and more. If the part is attached to a vehicle you can find it.
Salvage auto parts can be reliable if sourced from reputable junkyards or dealers. It’s crucial to verify the condition of the part, its compatibility with your vehicle, and the reputation of the seller. Many salvage parts are thoroughly inspected and tested before resale. If you are able to source used auto parts locally, you also have the advantage of skipping shipping. I can always find what I need at the used auto parts salvage yards near me, but when I do, I can get repairs done quicker and save on shipping. Finding parts online is certainly convenient, but when you are buying a salvaged Chevy Small Block V8 at 535 lbs, shipping is no joke.
Disadvantages of Salvage Parts
Part quality is always the biggest concern. No matter how well you visually inspect it, you don’t know how much life is left in the piece. You also don’t know how hard the previous owner may have beaten it. This is why I advise getting a warranty on any part you feel is kind of expensive. Not all places have warranties, but you should always ask.
The other biggest determent might be the layout of your local parts yard. The salvage yards near me that sell used parts aren’t organized. Many yards have rusted-out cars and no logical order. A good yard at least has cars grouped together, trucks grouped together, and SUVs grouped together. A really good yard even has them grouped by brand. To save yourself time walking around the yard looking for parts, call ahead or ask the attendant when you get there if they have the year, make, and model of the vehicle that you need. Also, check to see if they have a website with a car or part inventory on it.
Tips for Pulling Used Auto Parts – Save Time and Money
These are some of my personal habits for pulling used parts at the used auto parts salvage yards near me. Follow these and you will make your salvo experience efficient and get the most value for your dollar.
- Prior to your auto parts salvage yard visit, inspect your vehicle and pull all the parts you want to replace. Doing this beforehand has two benefits. First, you will know the appropriate tools to use and set aside for your salvo visit. Second, you will have first-hand experience already pulling these specific parts. Make sure you store all the nuts and bolts safely (I recommend bagging and labeling them).
- Do research on the parts you need and from which year, make, and model share the exact same parts. Remember, just because the body of the car changes, different models developed in different years can share several exact parts. Knowing the models with similar parts will save time and potentially grab higher quality parts. Another time saver is calling ahead and checking the inventory.
- Thoroughly examine the parts before you pull them off the vehicles in the lot. look for rust and corrosion. Doing an inspection, before removal is critical to being time efficient. If you have the ability to test whether the parts are functional before removing them. The last thing you want to do is carry around and pay for parts that don’t work.
- Remove the inspected and functional parts. If you followed step one, this should be quick because you have prior experience removing these parts. If the bolts and screws are damaged from rust or perhaps an accident, you can cut out the part with a sawsall and then work on removing it properly at home.
- For any part you feel is expensive ask about a warranty. Getting a warranty on any pricey part will buy you some level of protection. Not all yards offer these, but you should at least ask.
For more tips I use when pulling salvage auto parts near me check out: 16 Tips for Pulling Salvage Auto Parts.
Salvage Auto Parts Near Me Conclusion
These are the ideal places to save money on repairs and auto restorations. You will find deals that you can’t get at the auto parts store, or even eBay or Craigslist. More than likely you will find original manufacturer-assembled pieces, which beats an aftermarket part any day. While the quality of the parts you might find is potentially low, you may also find 100% brand-new parts. The more time you are willing to scavenge the yard, the more treasures you will find. That’s what I have learned from buying salvage auto parts near me.
