Looking to buy junkyard auto parts? First things first, we’d like to clear up that we don’t consider ourselves a junkyard, because we do not sell junk! We sell QUALITY used auto parts. When it comes to purchasing used auto parts you need for your car, truck, van or SUV, you have options! It does not matter whether you want to fix the vehicle yourself, you have a mobile mechanic or you are taking the vehicle to a professional repair facility, it’s up to you if you want to buy brand-new parts from the dealer, from an aftermarket supplier, or have a quality automotive salvage yard source the parts for you to get quality used car parts made by the original manufacturer at a major discount. When you are searching for junkyard auto parts near me, you are probably looking to save money, and you can do that, not at a junk yard, but at a clean modern automotive recycling facility like Pete’s Auto Parts!
At Pete’s Auto Parts, we believe there are five awesome reasons to choose ROEM, recycled original equipment manufacturer parts, which are not junkyard auto parts, but even better!
Save Money
People often search for junkyard auto parts near me, salvage yard auto parts or used auto parts because they want to save money. It makes sense that used parts are usually way less expensive than brand-new car parts. Because we test and quality check our used parts before selling them, you can be confident knowing your used part will function as well as a new part. Between our standard 90 day warranty and the extended 1 year and 3 year parts warranties and labor coverage we offer, you can rest assured your part will work correctly or you’ll get a replacement.
So many of the parts sold brand-new (whether they are OEM or aftermarket) are sold individually, whereas at Pete’s Auto Parts we sell assemblies. For example, a used bumper from Pete’s Auto Parts will usually be sold including the bumper bar or reinforcement, any absorbers or pads, and any sensors or cameras or wiring, in addition to the plastic bumper cover. When you purchase a brand new bumper, either an aftermarket knock-off or a brand name straight-from-the-manufacturer, generally it will only be that cover, just one part of the true bumper assembly. By purchasing a used bumper assembly, you will not only save parts cost, but labor cost, as you or your mechanic won’t have to spend time swapping over every little parking sensor wire!
Used parts are typically between 25% and 40% less expensive than new auto parts, and they function just as well. Sometimes we can save customers even more than that – and in today’s economy, every bit helps! We’re not selling junkyard auto parts, but we have junk yard prices at times!
Reliability
At Pete’s Auto Parts our trained dismantlers, parts techs and quality control agents evaluate each part to ensure they are safe for use and have usable life left in them. In order to better serve the Grand Rapids area and all of west Michigan, in addition to shipping parts nationwide, we take videos of our vehicles running when we inventory the parts, and we post these videos to our youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@petesauto7873 so you can hear the motor run before you purchase it! Most junkyard auto parts are not going to provide you with that level of peace of mind!
We buy our low-mileage, late model vehicles from insurance company auto auctions like CoPart and IAA, meaning the cars, trucks, vans and SUVs had full coverage insurance and were in an unfortunate fender bender. If you were in an accident today, your car might suffer damage to the left or right side, but still have great usable parts in the front or back. Or it might have been hit in the front, but all the doors and the engine and transmission are perfectly good! These parts are just as reliable as the ones that are going down the road today. Junkyards may let you come pull your own parts, but generally when you buy junkyard auto parts you are buying parts that were on a vehicle at the end of it’s life. Our vehicles are not worn out, they are in the best years of their lives and are low mileage, they have lots of good parts left to keep your vehicle running.
These are parts that were not damaged in the accident or worn out. We advertise the mileage of our parts and encourage you to buy parts with less miles on them than your vehicle! You can still get plenty of life from these parts without spending as much as new parts. We also recognize sometimes it’s just easier to go with the term you know than the new politically correct term! If you want to call our parts junkyard auto parts, we will accept that, that’s ok, we can take it! Keep in mind, just because you purchase a part from a junkyard doesn’t mean it’s junk. We are buying good low mileage cars with good low mileage parts, we’re testing the parts, having qualified technicians remove the parts, then we’re cleaning and inspecting the parts before they get to you. Properly removed and tested used auto parts are reliable for you and your vehicle.
Eco Friendly:
Everyone knows the terms “reduce, reuse, recycle!” At Pete’s Auto Parts we do all three, and you can too. Together, you and Pete’s, we reduce waste and we reduce new materials needed to produce brand new auto parts when we reuse a part that was on a vehicle in an accident, recycling it onto your vehicle driving down the road. Reusing materials (including steel, aluminum and plastic) drastically reduces the environment-harming resources needed to repair your vehicle.
Reusing and recycling automotive parts cuts down on the manufacturing of additional materials and, therefore, reduces our environmental footprint. A 2017 study in by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) showed that used automotive parts in the state of Massachusetts reduced the state’s carbon footprint by at least 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide annually! Every time you purchase a used auto part instead of a new auto part, that is a carbon negative action. Even junkyard auto parts are good for the environment!
Speed and Availability of Used Auto Parts
Large, long-standing salvage yards (like Pete’s Auto Parts – we’ve been here nearly 70 years!) typically have an incredible selection of discount auto parts. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a part from a vehicle made in 2023 or 1993, there’s a good chance you can find what you need. Often times new parts that go on backorder are only available at salvage yards. Even though new parts are often on a shelf ready to go, and our used auto parts are often still attached to the vehicle and need to be removed and prepped for pickup, shipping or delivery, at Pete’s Auto Parts we are often able to get customers parts just as fast as aftermarket or new parts that need to be shipped across the country! You will really start to buy that are parts are not junkyard auto parts when you experience ordering a tailgate or a door from Texas and receiving it in just two days, often sooner than you can get the same part new!
Pete’s Auto Parts is a partner in Team PRP, the nation’s largest group of automotive recyclers. That means if we don’t have the part you need at our facility, we can get the part from one of our partners. These strategic relationships are so helpful in being able to supply low-mileage mechanical parts, body parts in the same paint code as the customer vehicle, and parts from states with no rust! Many body shops love buying hoods, doors, fenders, and lids from us that we source from southern and western states that have much less rust than Michigan. At Pete’s we do business with other quality recyclers across the country, so that you can be assured we are sourcing good parts not junkyard auto parts when you buy from us.
OEM Parts Available at Affordable Prices
When purchasing a part for your vehicle, you surely know you can order new parts direct from the dealer. You can also find cheap parts online that are new but are knock-offs. Those parts are aftermarket parts, and it’s very difficult to determine the quality of these parts since so many manufacturers make low-quality auto parts on the cheap. They often look fine on the outside, but they’re often poorly made and may put your vehicle’s functionality or safety at risk. Many body shops complain aftermarket fenders and hoods do not line up on the vehicle properly, creating odd lines/gaps and downgrading the overall look of the vehicle. Other aftermarket issues include headlights that are not as bright as the originals. Even junkyard auto parts are going to be original manufacturer parts and not aftermarket parts!
When you buy discount auto parts from a salvage yard, you typically get OEM parts, not aftermarket. OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer and means that the part was created by the manufacturer that created the part for the brand-new vehicle. At Pete’s Auto Parts, we do sell some quality aftermarket products when used are not available, but we prefer the ROEM parts over knock-offs! Whether you accept our parts with the fancy name of ROEM or you still call us junkyard auto parts, we want your business!
Summary: Auto Parts You Should Buy Used:
When it comes to buying ROEM (recycled original equipment manufacturer) auto parts from a salvage yard, there are many that are almost always an easy decision, while others are better to buy new. An example of parts to buy new would be water pumps: they are cheap and readily available new and you can get a high quality water pump for not much more than a lower quality one. An example of parts you may consider buying new or used would be brake calipers. Brake calipers are a “wear item” they are expected to wear out and be replaced. If you can find very very low mileage brake calipers, it often does make sense to purchase them used and save, however brake calipers with more miles, even from a vehicle considered low mileage such as one with just 80,000 miles, you start to see a decline on the return for the part, because it’s expected you will have to replace those parts and then the labor of doing it twice outweighs the cost savings of buying used.
There are a lot of cut-and-dried “easy” choices on parts you can safely purchase used and save some cash.
Rims: Wheel rims frequently arrive at our part shop in excellent condition, as they’re designed to endure substantial pressure and weight. Even after a collision, they often emerge in great condition. If you’re in the market for new rims, consider opting for a quality used set! When you think of used or junkyard auto parts, we hope you’ll think of Pete’s Auto Parts and remember we don’t sell junk but we do sell great used parts!
Rear View & Side View Mirrors: Mirrors that remain free of cracks, breaks, or chips still hold value and functionality for another vehicle. Choosing a used side or rearview mirror is a savvy way to save money while still obtaining a necessary part. At Pete’s we inspect every mirror and make sure they are good, you may be thinking you are buying junkyard auto parts but you will be buying quality used auto parts when you shop at Pete’s.
Power Locks: When your car’s power locks wear out, the cost of replacing them can be daunting. However, salvage yards like Pete’s Auto Parts offer power locks at a significantly lower price compared to new ones. Even if a salvage vehicle can’t operate, its power locks can still serve reliably.
Windshields: Some accidents break windshield, but many do not. The windshield often remains in pristine condition. At Pete’s Auto Parts we do not inventory windshields with stone chips or other problems, only good quality glass. Purchasing a used windshield can result in substantial savings without compromising quality. When you imagine windshields you probably don’t think of junkyard auto parts, but we sell quality windshields without chips or cracks or problems!
Transmissions: Pete’s Auto Parts offers ROEM transmissions for many vehicles, providing a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new ones. A used transmission can perform just as effectively while significantly reducing your expenses.
Engines: When your engine requires replacement, opting for a used one is a smart choice. New engines come with a hefty price tag and they do not come with many accessories that all need to be purchased separately, but used engines are considerably more affordable without sacrificing performance and they come with lots of extras. Additionally, our limited warranties offer added peace of mind, check out our warranties at https://petesauto.net/warranty/
Fenders & Bumpers: Don’t overspend on a new fender or bumper for minor damage. Salvage yards often have perfectly suitable replacements at a fraction of the cost, allowing you to restore your vehicle economically. You might be worried that the fenders and bumpers that are junkyard auto parts may be damaged, but don’t fear, we have detailed descriptions of each body part including any scratches and we can find undamaged parts or at least give you a heads up if there are any issues.
Lid Gates/Rear Hatches/Decklids: Whether you have an SUV with a hatch, a van with “doors” across the back, a truck with a tailgate, or a sedan, convertible or coupe with a trunk lid, we sell those at Pete’s Auto Parts and we sell them as assemblies with any lights, glass, wiring and more included! You can save a lot of money on used sheet metal assemblies when you go with junkyard auto parts, or as we like to say, recycled!
Doors: Vehicle doors are another great part that comes as an assembly at a salvage yard, though doors do not typically include the door mirror, that is purchased separately, and many doors do not include the power door window switch or door trim panel – though some do. Almost all used doors will come complete with the glass and the window regulator and motor. At Pete’s we supply many used doors to customers and we can often find them in the exact paint code color of your vehicle, eliminating pricey pain expenses! By sourcing used or junkyard auto parts, you can find a door in the same color as your vehicle and save bit!
Lamps & Lights: Headlights and taillights are more expensive than ever these days! Same story for park lamps, fog lamps and turn signals. You do not have to settle for knock-off brands that don’t last as long or perform as well, you can buy ROEM (recycled original equipment manufacturer) lights and lamps that were made in the same factory as the lights that came on your vehicle from the dealer! if you need a lamp or a light, consider used or junkyard auto parts to save money and the environment!!
Axles & Suspension Parts: At Pete’s Auto Parts we sell a ton of front axles, rear axles, carriers, axle shafts, struts, spindles, hubs, control arms, cross members, and all manner of axle parts and suspension parts. The metal suspension parts on your vehicle were made to last the lifetime of the vehicle, and it’s a great choice to go used when you need to replace an axle part or a piece of your suspension. Junkyard auto parts can be great choices for your axle and suspension needs.
Body Parts: You might think junkyard auto parts would be rusty, but you’d be wrong! Most body parts can be sourced affordably used and often can be found undamaged and in the same paint color as your vehicle, saving hundreds of dollars in painting expenses! Whether you need a fender, a hood, a bed or box for a truck, or any other body part, we can find it for you, and we can often find it from a state down south or out west where they don’t battle rust like we do in the Midwest!
Ready to Buy Used Auto Parts?
We hope you enjoyed this blog post on buying junkyard auto parts and that it may have convinced you to give it a try or perhaps it reassured you that purchasing used vehicle parts for you car, truck, van or SUV is a viable option. At Pete’s Auto Parts we really believe that buying used auto parts is the best choice for many reasons. To save money, to help mother earth and be a good steward of the environment, because used parts are reliable and available, and because the best parts for your vehicle are the same parts the manufacturer intended to be on your vehicle — they made them after all!
No matter what part you need for your vehicle, you can reach out to Pete’s Auto Parts by calling or texting 616-669-6592 to learn more about our top-notch used car, truck, van and SUV parts. Or if you prefer to search our site, you can do that now on our used auto parts search page..
Even if you decide that you don’t want to buy from Pete’s Auto Parts, we hope you’ll go with recycled parts from a locally owned and operated company, such as one of our friends and competitors Weller Auto Parts or Morris Rose Auto Parts or Premier Auto Parts or Schram Auto Parts or Grand Valley Auto Parts or Joe’s Auto Parts. Although we’d RATHER you search for used auto parts near me and purchase all your auto parts from Pete’s, our second choice is for you to stick with a family owned company instead of from a big consolidator or chain. We believe in supporting local!
Check us out on facebook! https://facebook.com/petesautoparts
Find videos of our vehicles running on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@petesauto7873
You can search for parts on our website at our used auto parts search page.
If you would like to read more about Pete’s Auto Parts and about buying used auto parts, we have many more blog posts you can find below:
https://petesauto.net/used-car-parts/used-car-parts/
https://petesauto.net/used-car-parts/best-website-to-buy-used-car-parts/
https://petesauto.net/auto-body/aftermarket-car-parts/
https://petesauto.net/used-car-parts/why-buy-used-auto-parts/
https://petesauto.net/auto-body/battery-breakdown /
https://petesauto.net/auto-body/buying-a-used-engine-near-me/
https://petesauto.net/used-car-parts/salvage-yard-near-me/
https://petesauto.net/tires/buying-tires-near-me/
https://petesauto.net/tires/buying-tires-near-me/
https://petesauto.net/used-car-parts/used-auto-parts-near-me/
