Are Used Auto Parts Safe To Use?

Auto repairs can be expensive. Replacement parts represent a large percentage of the final price you pay for repairs. When you see the price of a new part, you may get sticker shock. You may wonder if it is better to purchase used auto parts and save some money.

The Lowdown on Used Auto Parts

In most cases, buying used auto parts from a junkyard is less expensive than purchasing new or aftermarket parts. However, there are times when used parts are just as expensive, if not more expensive, than purchasing them new.

Paying less for the part is just about the only upside to buying used auto parts. When you buy auto parts used, you don’t know how long the part will last before it fails completely.

Most used part distributors do not give warranties on electrical parts. They may be cheap, but they could fail on you shortly after having a repair done. This means that you will need to purchase the part again and will need to pay for labor to have the part installed.

The Danger of Used Parts and Recalls

When you purchase a new car, your information is listed as the owner. If there is a manufacturer recall, you will be informed so that you can replace damaged parts.

However, if you purchase a used part and that part is recalled, you may never learn about it. It is better to avoid this and purchase new parts for your vehicle.

For example, a popular airbag manufacturer recalled airbags that were installed between 2002 and 2015. The airbags had a defect that caused them to inflate too hard. This led to many people getting hurt and 16 people losing their lives. If you purchased one of these airbags used and have them installed in your vehicle, you would not know about the potential defect until it was too late.

Used Parts That Wear out

Most auto parts will eventually wear out. However, certain parts, like brakes, windshield wiper blades, and belts, wear out relatively quickly and need to be replaced frequently. If you purchase used brake pads, you are only going to get a fraction of the life out of the brakes. When you compare the cost of needing to buy a second pair of brakes and having those installed to the price of purchasing a new pair of brake pads and only installing them once, it becomes clear why buying new is better than buying used.

Used Parts Don’t Have a Warranty

When you purchase OEM or aftermarket parts, you typically get a warranty that covers manufacturer defects or other issues with the part. When you purchase used parts, there is no warranty or guarantee.

If the part fails, you just lose your money. You have to spend more money on another replacement part and money on labor to install it. Even if the used parts or used auto body parts come with a warranty, that warranty does not cover the cost of reinstalling the parts.

If your vehicle, especially your powertrain, is under warranty, you may void that warranty by purchasing used parts. And you risk collateral damage. If the used part that fails is not connected to the engine, it could damage your engine and lead to even more expensive repairs. When you do the math, new parts are better in the long run than spending money on something used.

Used Parts May Have a Dubious History

Withaftermarket parts, you know you are getting a brand new article. When you buy used auto parts, you may get counterfeit parts. Counterfeit parts look right, but they have not gone through the same quality checks and tests that legitimate parts go through. They may work for a little while but then break down in phenomenal fashion.

Used parts could come from stolen vehicles. While the part itself may function as it should, you are still purchasing something that is stolen.

Used parts may come from a vehicle that was in an automobile accident. The part may look perfect. However, as a result of the accident, it could be damaged and affect your safety and the performance of your vehicle.

The slightly higher cost of purchasing new parts is worth it if it means that you know that you are purchasing the genuine article, you know that the part was not stolen, and you know that the part was never damaged in an accident.

Conclusion

Vehicles never break down at a time or place that is convenient for you. Still, it is not worth the risk to spend money on used parts. It is better to purchase OEM or

aftermarket parts. You know where they come from and know they are of the highest quality. In the unlikely event of a defect, you have a warranty to fall back on to protect you financially.

Need Parts?

We are just a phone call away!