Whether your car’s broken down or you’ve been warned about a blown headlight, we know how urgent it is to get a replacement car part so you can get back on the road safely again.
Finding the right second-hand car part for your vehicle, however, takes a bit of know-how to ensure you get something that works well, lasts a good amount of time, and doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Before you head into your local auto wreckers, here’s a handy checklist of what to do and what to look out for when buying used auto parts.
Make sure that it’s the exact part you need
While your local car wreckers may have plenty of second-hand parts available, they may not be the right fit for your particular car.
Before you go into the wrecking yard, write down your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This number will help the dealer identify the exact make and model your car is and find parts that are compatible with it.
Your VIN number can usually be found in one of these places:
- Under the bonnet
- The bottom of your windscreen on the passenger side
- Along the front seats’ side door closure area
- On the body of the vehicle
If you’re stuck finding it, you can also call the dealership where you bought your car from for help.
When it comes to visiting the wreckers, you may want to bring along a trusted mechanic to help you identify the right parts that meet a certain quality.
Don’t have any mechanic friends? Not to worry – our team of experienced mechanics at Advanced Auto Wreckers would be glad to show you through our range of used parts.
Buy from a trusted dealer
How do you tell a good used car parts dealer from another? Besides asking around friends and family for recommendations, spend a bit of time looking at each vendor’s website and online customer reviews.
To save a bit more money, you’ll be better off going for smaller, local dealers with a well-established network of suppliers rather than big franchises.
With that said, be mindful of the kind of prices they set for their parts – you don’t want something that’s crazy expensive nor too cheap. Try shopping around to get a gauge on prices to ensure you’re not getting a dodgy deal.
Ask about warranties
By law, parts dealers must include a free or paid warranty with any used parts that they sell. For certain parts, you may even be able to get their warranty period extended even more – all you need to do is ask!
Check the dealer’s return policy
Before buying a part, check what the return policies are so that you have the flexibility to get a return and refund or exchange your parts for something else. This will come in handy in case you make a mistake and buy the wrong part, or the part isn’t working as well as you thought it would be.
Get the parts professionally installed
While you can save hundreds of dollars on sourcing your car’s replacement parts, you can’t afford the risk of installing it without the help of a qualified mechanic (especially if you’re not the most car-savvy person).
At Advanced Auto Wreckers, we have a team of friendly mechanics who would be happy to install your purchased parts for you. We even add a 3-month warranty on top of installation, so you can have extra peace of mind and support from us should the parts suddenly fail.
If you’re looking for expert advice from an auto wreckers in Perth, look no further than Advanced Auto Wreckers. We’ve been in the business for more than 20 years and specialise in sourcing and installing Ford and Holden second-hand car parts for our customers.
For help finding the parts you need, come down to our wrecking yard in Maddington from Monday to Friday or give us a call on (08) 9459 8155.