Best Way To Save And Make Money

How Auto Salvage Can Save You Big Money

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If you need a part for your car, you can head down to the local auto store and order a new one. In doing that, you're paying top dollar for a brand new part wrapped in packaging. Cars that have broken down or wrecked still have a lot of good working parts you can use on your car. Parts from an auto salvage yard are often 50 to 80 percent less than new, packaged parts, notes Cash Auto Salvage. Learn how to get the parts you need at an auto salvage yard and start saving big money on your car repairs.

Learn How to Pick and Pull

An auto salvage yard isn't just where old and broken down cars go to rust away. These yards house a large inventory of auto parts that are still in working order — and for virtually any make and model vehicle. A pick-and-pull or pull apart auto salvage business is one where you extract the auto part that you need. By doing the labor yourself, you can save even more money on the used auto parts you need for your car.

A full-service junkyard is one where the owner removes the parts. You just show up and pay for the part. You'll still see quite a bit of savings over buying new parts, but not as much as from a pick-and-pull. So, it's in your best interest to learn how to extract the parts that you need.

Bring the Right Tools

You should bring basic tools with you to assist with the extraction. The auto salvage owner may have some tools to loan, but it could take a lot of extra time to walk back and forth between the office and the vehicle you're working with. Be sure to bring:

Hammers Hand truck Screwdrivers Pliers Portable drill Pry bars Voltage meter Work gloves Wrenches

Check Inventory Before You Go

Time is money, and you don't want to waste time searching auto salvage yards that don't have what you need. Many auto salvage yards keep an inventory of auto salvage parts online. Start your search at the business' website. If the business does not have a website — or it doesn't look like it's been updated recently — give them a call. They should be able to tell you if they have the parts you are looking for.

Know Which Parts to Look For

You can literally purchase any part you want from an auto salvage yard. No matter if you're looking for a cup holder or a new transmission, you can buy it if it's on the lot. Just because the used auto salvage parts are cheaper does not mean they're all worth buying. Remember that you're putting the parts into your existing car and you want them to last a long time. If not, you could end up spending more than you save. Among the top parts to look for are:

Mirrors Power locks Radiators Tires and rims Transmissions Windows and windshields

Understand the Unwritten Rules

There are a few etiquette rules that go along with removing parts in a pick-and-pull auto salvage yard. Sure, a lot full of dirty and rusted vehicles does not seem like a place with rules and manners, but do not let looks deceive you. Removing parts improperly and causing damage to other parts in the salvaged vehicle is frowned upon. You could be damaging a part that someone else needs. There's a good chance that you will have to pay for those damages, too. Avoid the extra charges by being respectful of the property.