New vs. Used
There’s no way that a used car part will be the same quality as a brand-new one, right? Not necessarily. Brand-new car parts are similar to cars in that they significantly go down in price as soon as they’re driven off the lot. For this reason, an engine or transmission with as little as a couple of hundred miles on it is likely to cost much less than the same engine or transmission when it’s brand new. Finding a great used car part for a much lower price isn’t impossible by any means. The key is to make sure that you’re considering parts that are still high quality, with relatively low wear-and-tear or damage.
What to Look For
How can you find these low-wear used car parts for an affordable price? It’s actually simpler than you might guess. The first thing you should always do is work with a dealer who only sells Grade-A car parts. Grade-A used parts make all of the difference, because “A” represents the highest possible standard of quality and the best condition in used car parts. In order to be classified as Grade A, a car part must have less than a credit card-sized amount of total damage on it, which is extremely small. Parts must also have a total of less than 60,000 miles on them (or an average of less than 15,000 miles per year). Standards like these protect your investment because they help to make sure that you’re getting the closest thing to new at a seriously discounted price. Always look for Grade-A parts no matter what.
A Warranty You Can Trust
One of the most important things you can do when shopping for a new car part that’s pre-owned is to look for a reasonable warranty. Any car part you purchase should be protected under a year-long warranty. This is crucial, because it gives you plenty of time to make sure that the part performs the way you need it to, is compatible with your car, and functions like new (as it should). If you experience any issues with the part within warranty, you’ll be able to protect your investment by getting it replaced free of charge. This is a non-negotiable quality to look for in any used parts dealer. Always opt for someone who protects all of their parts with a warranty of at least one year.
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