3 Places To Find Used Auto Body Parts
Posted on: 29 December 2014
Does your car need major auto body work? Are you suffering from sticker shock at the expected price? If so, you may want to consider using used parts for the repairs. Very often, a used auto body part can get the job done just as well as a new part. In fact, you may not even be able to tell that the part is used, especially if it's been cleaned or refurbished. The best part is that you'll be able to get the part at a greatly reduced price. If you're new to buying used parts, you may not know where to find them. Here are three of the most popular sources for used auto body parts:
Junkyards. A junkyard can be a great place to find the part you need. You simply look through the junkyard to find a car that matches up with your make and model. You then use your own tools to remove the needed part from the car. You pay for the part upon exiting the yard. The great thing about going to a junkyard is that you'll actually be able to inspect the part before purchasing it. Whether it's a fender, a panel, or even a front grill, you can check it out and make sure that it doesn't have its own set of problems.
Keep in mind, though, that junkyards are largely do-it-yourself businesses. While there may be a manager onsite who can guide you to the right part of the yard, they probably won't help you find the exact right part. You should do your homework ahead of time so you know exactly what you're looking for.
Online. There's a huge online marketplace for used auto body parts. Whether you look on popular auction websites, classified bulletin boards, or even sites devoted to used parts, you'll probably be able to find a number of choices for the part you need. One point of caution, though, is that you won't see the part until it shows up at your home. Also, if you're buying from a classified ad or an online auction site, there probably won't be any kind of warranty. Weight the cost advantages with the possible risks before making a purchase. Check out sites like http://www.cottmanusedautoparts.com for more information.
Your auto body shop. Ask your auto body repair person about whether a used part could work for you. He or she probably has resources to tap to find the most appropriate used part. Even better, the repair person can inspect the part for quality before installing it. They may even be willing to offer some sort of warranty or guarantee on the part.
Before you buy new parts, talk to your shop about whether used parts or appropriate. They can tell you which kinds of parts you need and guide you in the right direction.
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