Used car parts can be an excellent option when you are making repairs to a vehicle and working on a budget. Many salvage yards have used car parts for sale at prices far below new parts, but you need to be careful and consider the parts carefully to ensure you find what you need in good condition and get the most for your money. 

Parts That Save Your Money

When you need a part for your car or truck, there are some used car parts that are a great option. Starter motors, alternators, power steering pumps and boxes, and even engines and transmissions all have the potential to be excellent purchases. 

The trick is to look over the parts and evaluate them carefully to ensure there is no damage that will affect the function once you install the used parts in your vehicle. A starter motor covered in oil and grease likely came off an engine that was leaking and not well maintained. Over time, the oil and grease can get into the windings and mechanical parts of the starter, causing potential problems, so buying one in that condition is not a great idea. 

Each part you look at will have some telltale signs to indicate the condition, so taking some time to research the used parts before you head to the salvage yard can be helpful. Most salvage yards do not intentionally deal with faulty parts, but they may not know the history of the components, so it is up to you to look over the used car parts before you decide if you want to take a chance on them.

Remember, you are looking for parts to save you money, and for that, you need inexpensive used car parts that will last a while. 

Getting The Right Parts

Used car parts are often not cataloged the same way new parts are, so you may need to take some time to check the parts and make sure they will fit your vehicle. Check the electrical connections, the brackets that support the parts, or any fluid lines attached to the component to ensure they are in the right place and match the ones on the part you are replacing.

If you already have the part out of your vehicle, take it with you. If you can't take it, use your phone and take pictures of the connectors and brackets to compare to the new part at the salvage yard. Used car parts can sometimes interchange and fit several models.

You can find interchange information online that allows you to look for a part on several different vehicles which will sometimes make finding the one you need easier. Check with a local salvage yard such as Oahu Cyber Junkyard if you are unsure about interchanging parts. They will often have the information available as well and can help you verify what fits your vehicle before you buy any used car parts.

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