The Rundown of What You Should Know
The most important thing to know as you search for affordable car parts is that finding budget-friendly pieces will mean looking at used parts. There’s a negative connotation to used car parts: it’s easy to assume that they’ll be worn down, broken, or otherwise not up to the job. The reality, however, is that it’s entirely possible to find high-performing (and even like-new) used car parts if you know where to look. How can you do that? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Warranties are everything. When buying used car parts, always go for pieces that are protected under warranties of at least one year. This will give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your investment is protected. You’ll be able to give the parts a try to make sure that they perform as advertised, and you’ll be able to get another part if it’s no up to par.
- Grade A, always. A Grade-A rating is the highest standard a used car part can meet. It means minimal or no damage, low mileage, and overall like-new performance. Because parts devalue quickly, Grade-A parts with minimal damage will cost significantly less than brand-new parts, even if their performance is extremely similar. Never settle for anything less than Grade-A.
- Your dealer will set the tone for your experience. When dealing with used car parts, a reliable dealer is everything. Look for someone with positive reviews and a commitment to transparency. They should offer free quotes and even price matching, as well as generous warranties and quick responses. Being left without a car is a major inconvenience, and finding the right parts with a reliable dealer is crucial.
Why Used is Better
Why are we recommending used car parts in the first place? The answer is simple: used parts can perform so similarly to brand-new parts that saving all that money on them is a no-brainer. It’s a common misconception that the quality of used parts is always going to be lower than the quality of new ones, but that isn’t true. Used parts that have been inspected and given a Grade-A rating are likely to last for years to come and perform so similarly to new parts that most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Is you’re in a pinch and need to replace your engine, transmission, or another major car part right away, looking at used options is a great way to save money without sacrificing quality.
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