When your car needs repairs, you typically have two options for buying auto parts. You can purchase new from the manufacturer or used from an auto salvage yard. Buying new parts s more convenient, but you'll pay a premium price. Used parts, on the other hand, are more affordable, but may require some tinkering. Below is a helpful guide to buying parts from a junkyard.

Steps to Find What You Need at an Auto Salvage Yard

1. Search a Database

When you visit an auto salvage company, tell them what part you need, and your vehicle’s model and year. They can point you toward other vehicles like yours on their lot. Moreover, many junkyards can access a database of other vehicles that also contain the part you need. For instance, General Motors often markets the same car under different brand names; the Chrysler Town & Country is virtually identical to the Dodge Grand Caravan and contains many of the same parts. 

2. Watch YouTube® Videos

Unless you are confident you know how to remove the part, it is often helpful to watch a YouTube® video of the process. You may learn tips for accessing the part or loosening the bolts. It will also reveal which tools you need to operate. Watching a short video could save you time working beneath a car and traveling to the hardware store for tools.

3. Bring Your Tools 

Speaking of tools, be sure you bring your own. Auto salvage yards do not provide them for you. Moreover, they do not help you remove the parts. Therefore, if the component you require is heavy or unwieldy, be sure to bring a friend to help you lift it. It's also a good idea to bring a flashlight to illuminate your work. Dress appropriately as you’re likely to get covered in grease and dirt while searching under the hood or body of a car.

If you are seeking affordable used auto parts, contact Fox Auto Parts, Inc. , the premier auto junkyard in Malvern, OH. They have served Carroll County and beyond since 1977. They maintain a 40-acre lot filled with all makes and models of vehicles, as well as a 65,000-foot warehouse of cataloged parts. They sell both new and used tires and every other car part you might need. Visit their website to perform an inventory search or call (330) 863-1011 to ask about availability and pricing.