Car batteries are expensive and if you could get your hands on a used car battery you can save yourself some money. Finding a working used car battery isn’t always easy, because if the battery works then often the previous owner plucks it out before turning it into the auto salvage yard. Today I’ll show you how I find used car batteries near me and if they don’t hold a reliable charge, I’ll show how I restore and refurbish them.
Map of Used Car Batteries Near Me
For “Used Car Batteries Near Me” or “Used Auto Batteries Yards Near Me”, see the map below…
Where to Find Used Car Batteries Near Me
In my experience, the auto salvage yards near me have a lot of used batteries. If you have a Pick-n-Pull style yard you may have to scavenge around. A lot of junk yards will pull the batteries in advance and store them in their warehouse for resale. These batteries are tested and some even refurbish them before resale.
If you have to search in the lot and happen to find a working one, you will have no idea if it’s near the end of its life. Obviously, you can test to see if it has some juice out in the yard, but still, you will have no idea if it‘s reliable and can actually have enough load to start your car. So what I do is find the battery I need, purchase it (you can get a warranty), and if needed sometimes restore it.
It‘s important to know not just any car battery is good for your vehicle, you need a perfect fit for the best performance.
What I Look for in a Used Auto Battery
You will probably not find a perfectly clean battery in an auto salvage yard, especially if It’s in the yard. There is a high probability that it’s been sitting for a while and exposed to the elements. When I find a battery I generally inspect the connections and cables, look for any corrosion issues around it, and do anything that can prevent it from doing its job. The cleaner the terminals are and the less corrosion the better chance you have getting more power from it. If the battery looks swollen or has been leaking fluid, move on and go find another one.
Here is what I like to do to find used car batteries near me:
- Search for local auto salvage yards (use the map above)
- Call them and ask if they have an electronic inventory of what’s in the yard
- Ask to see if they have equivalent cars to what I am looking for
- Visit the yard and scavenge for batteries for my car make/model or if they have one in stock
- Buy the battery (usually $20 or less – you can also get a warranty at most places), and then take it home and test it
- If it still has a good charge and can start my car then great, if not I restore it
How to Restore a Car Battery
Ever since I found this awesome video this is what I have been doing to used car batteries. I’ve done it to the same battery as many as 3x. It’s super easy to do.
The one piece of advice he gives that you need to follow is to use a 12 volt 2 amp trickle charge. The lower the amps the better because you want it to charge really slowly. It will take about 24 hours to 36 hours to get a full charge. Also, DO NOT dump your old battery acid into the ground.
Before You Replace Your Current Battery…
A normal car battery should last 3 to 5 years on average. Before you replace your battery you should identify the issue. Common battery issues:
- Cracked battery case
- A swollen, frozen battery
- Cell covers missing or perhaps broken
- Battery power is depleted and will no longer accept a charge
If you see your battery is leaking any fluid or is swollen from being frozen, it needs to be replaced immediately. If the fluid prevention covers are damaged or gone, you can get replacement covers from your local auto parts store.
You may also find that your battery won’t hold a charge anymore, in this case, you could try and continue to charge it more frequently. On the other hand, it may not supply enough power to operate your vehicle. If that is the case you can take it to your local auto parts store and ask them to perform a load test to see what condition your battery is in. The load test simulates the power draw of when your car starts, it can tell you if the battery has enough juice to start your vehicle.
Where to Recycle a Car Battery
Old car batteries leak lead acid batteries that have toxic chemicals in them which are bad for the earth. They can contaminate the ground with lead, acids, chemicals, and plastics that are non-biodegradable.
Not everybody does the right thing with used auto batteries, but if you are environmentally conscious then you should recycle it when it reach its end of life. 99% of the components in an auto battery are recyclable.
As a matter of fact, most replacement car batteries are comprised of 80 to 85% of previously used materials. If you need to recycle your battery you should contact your local recycling center and ask if they take used car batteries. Some recyclers will pay you for your car battery, it‘s worth asking when you call.
Another common alternative is your local auto parts store. Most auto part stores have a battery-recycling program. In some stores, you can even get a credit towards a new battery when you recycle your old one. This brings me to our next point, who will buy a used battery from you…
Who Buys Old Car Batteries Near Me
Most people who have dead car batteries are looking for a means of getting some money back before they buy a new one. When it comes to used car batteries, price is a crucial factor to consider. Savvy vehicle owners often shop around for the best deals on these essential components.
Many shops offer used car batteries for sale, providing cost-effective solutions for those looking to replace batteries in their vehicles. These used batteries are not only budget-friendly but also environmentally responsible, reducing waste in the automotive industry. There are a few different ways to get cash for an old car or truck battery. Consider the following options if you want to sell your used battery:
- Auto parts stores (Napa, Autozone, O’Reilly, Advanced Auto Parts)
- Auto salvage yards
- Scrap Recycling Plants
- Craigslist and eBay
- Auto Mechanics
For more information check out: Who Buys Used Car Batteries Near Me. We cover all of the options, how much you can get, and what you should know before you sell one.
Used Car Batteries Near Me
Finding a used car battery can save you about $50 to $60. Auto salvage yards are a great place to look and if you get one that isn’t holding a charge, you can try and restore it. Restoring a battery is another great money–saving technique. Anyway, I hope you found some benefit to my experience finding used car batteries near me. If you have one or a few to sell, it is another great way to offset the cost of getting a new/used battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to Buy a Used Car Battery?
In most cases, it is OK to buy used car battery. It will depend on where you are buying it from. Many places that sell used car batteries will offer a 30 day warranty that will allow you to exchange the battery if it does not hold a charge.
How Much Can I Get For a Used Car Battery?
On average you will get about $7 per battery at a lead rate of ($0.33/lbs). A truck battery may yield a higher payout of $10 as it has more weight than a car battery.
Are Junkyard Batteries Good?
In my experience, junkyard batteries are very reliable. Most junkyards will test and/or recharge a battery before selling it. You can also get a 30 day warranty on it to exchange it if it does not hold a charge or meet your expectations.
Who Buys Used Car Batteries?
Some of the best places to consider selling a used car battery are:
- Auto parts stores
- Auto salvage yards
- Scrap metal yards
- Recycling centers
- Ebay
- Craigslist
- Auto repair shops
