We admit, we’re a little bias, because we do sell used engines, but here at Pete’s Auto Parts we are big on promoting the benefits of buying used over a new or remanufactured one. In this blog post, we will explore why you should buy a used engine – even if you don’t buy it from Pete’s Auto Parts.
Unlocking Value, Reliability & Sustainability
When it comes to engine replacement, vehicle owners face a pivotal decision: to opt for a brand-new engine, a remanufactured engine, or choose a used engine? At Pete’s Auto Parts, we champion the affordability of a used engine, as well as how reliable they are and how it’s one of the only products that is CHEAPER to buy green! Save the earth and your wallet at the same time. Normally, the environmentally friendly option costs more, but we’re excited to share that investing in a used engine is not just a smart choice for your vehicle, it’s the best thing for the planet. From cost savings to rigorous testing and transparency, we are here to guide you through the advantages of used over new and remanufactured.
1. Significant Cost Savings
One of the most compelling reasons to consider used parts over new or reman is the substantial cost savings. New and remanufactured engines can be prohibitively expensive, especially for older models or high-performance vehicles. A used engine provides a more affordable alternative without sacrificing performance. A new engine is sold as a “long block” which means the cylinder block, cylinder heads, crankshaft and camshaft… all the ancillary parts included for free on a used engine must also be purchased separately. Remanufactured engines are similar, they come standard as a long block assembly, and may not include the water pump, thermostat, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, fuel injection system, and many sensors. Of course, there are times you will still want to put a new water pump on a used engine, or reuse parts from your original engine. But most of the time, when you buy a used engine, you will select one that has significantly less miles than the one inside your vehicle that has failed you, a used engine with a lot of life left and those accessory pieces will have less wear and tear as well. Certified Automotive Recyclers like Pete’s Auto Parts offer a diverse selection of used engines that fit a wide range of budgets. When you choose a used engine, you can allocate your savings towards other essential repairs or upgrades, making your overall vehicle maintenance more cost-effective.
2. Thorough Inspection and Testing
The reliability of an engine is paramount. That’s why every used engine we sell undergoes a comprehensive inspection and testing process. Our team of skilled technicians meticulously evaluates each engine to ensure it meets our high standards of quality. We don’t just inspect each used engine; we run them to verify their performance and reliability. Any quality auto recycling facility will do this, so before you purchase a used engine, make sure you ask “did you run the vehicle?” Even better, “do you have a video to send me of the engine running?”
3. Transparency with Video Documentation
If a picture speaks 1,000 words, a video speaks a million! In today’s day and age, there are very few reasons to NOT have a video of a used engine while it’s running inside the vehicle, it’s so easy to do. Transparency is key when it comes to purchasing used auto parts and especially a used engine. To provide you with complete confidence in your purchase, we document the testing process with detailed videos. These videos are posted on our YouTube Channel allowing you to see each used engine in action before making your decision. Our commitment to transparency means you can view the used engine performance, listen to its operation, and ensure it meets your expectations. Even if you don’t buy from Pete’s Auto Parts, if you go somewhere else, they should have a video. There are a handful of vehicles that we do not run long enough to take a video, but we always have notes explaining that. For example, if when the vehicle was in an accident it damaged the radiator to the point where no coolant can get into the engine, we will run the vehicle only very briefly to make sure it runs and is not overheated, but we don’t want to cause damage to the used engine by continuing to run the vehicle, so in that rare case we will make notes about how the engine ran and not actually post a video. At any rate, whoever you buy a used engine from should ideally have a video and if not, a good explanation of why not and documentation that the vehicle ran well.
4. Reliable Performance
It may seem that new and remanufactured engines would start and run after installation 100% of the time, but that is simply not true. The new and remanufactured engines have a failure rate at install from manufacturing mistakes. You do not get to see a video of those new and remanufactured engines running – because they haven’t ran yet. And in the case of a remanufactured engine, that was a used engine that failed and then was refurbished with new parts to make right, so that is an engine that has already failed. When you purchase a used engine, that engine has never failed. A common misconception about used engines is that they are less reliable than new ones. At Pete’s Auto Parts, we dispel this myth by ensuring every used engine we sell is thoroughly tested and we stand behind our product with a warranty. Many used engines are removed from vehicles that were in excellent running condition before disassembly. By sourcing a high-quality used engine and rigorously testing it, we provide you with engines that deliver reliable performance and longevity.
5. Environmentally Friendly Choice
Choosing a used engine is an environmentally responsible decision. By reusing engines, you contribute to the reduction of waste and the conservation of resources. Manufacturing new engines requires significant energy and raw materials, whereas recycling and reusing engines help minimize the environmental impact. At Pete’s Auto Parts, we are committed to promoting sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint through the sale of quality used engines. This is true of ALL automotive recycling facilities. A study done in Massachusetts proved that the automotive recycling industry is carbon negative – we sequester more carbon than we produce. Pete’s Auto Parts and all certified automotive recyclers have many many used engines that are perfectly good, just waiting to be sent down the road again, instead of using more energy to recycle the metals into new.
6. Availability of Hard-to-Find Used Engines
For older or specialty vehicles, finding a new engine can be a challenge. A used engine often provides a solution for these hard-to-find parts. Our inventory includes a wide range of engines, including those for vintage or less common vehicles. While we may not have classic cars, we carry a wide selection and we can also get a used engine you need from one of our partners. Pete’s Auto Parts is part of Team PRP, a nationwide organization of auto recyclers, and we either have what you need or we can find a partner yard that we trust to supply what you need. Even if you choose to go with a different store, the used engine you are looking for is probably out there. It may not be readily available new or remanufactured.
7. Expertise and Customer Support
Often new and remanufactured engines come from large companies, where you are a number. When you purchase a used engine from a small business, like most automotive recyclers and definitely like Pete’s Auto Parts, you benefit from having a real person help you who cares about you. Each of our people will lend their expertise and customer support. Our knowledgeable staff is available to help you choose the right used engine for your vehicle and answer any questions you may have about the installation process. We take pride in providing exceptional service and ensuring you have a smooth and successful experience with your used engine purchase. If there is any kind of problem with your used engine, our salespeople are trained to report it to our warranty group, where the owner, managers, and all salespeople from the company converge to help resolve the issue quickly and has painlessly as possible.
8. Warranty and Peace of Mind
We understand that purchasing a used engine means a significant investment, and we want you to feel confident in your purchase. That’s why every used engine we sell comes with a 90-day part only warranty, and we offer extended one-year and three-year warranties plus labor coverage on any of our used engines with less than 200,000 miles, which is nearly all of them, as we buy low mileage vehicles. Our used engine warranty program provides you with added peace of mind, knowing that if any issues arise, we’ve got you covered. We stand behind the quality of our used engines and are committed to your satisfaction.
The warranty at Pete’s Auto parts is fully transferrable. This is unusual, most stores will only honor the warranty to the original purchaser, but if you sell your vehicle, the used engine warranty is still good, and you can pass that warranty along to the person who buys your vehicle. This is also true for our used car dealership customers. Dealerships love buying used engines from Pete’s Auto Parts so they can assure their customers the car they are buying comes with a 1 year or 3 year used engine warranty!
If you decide to buy a used engine from any automotive recycler, ask about the warranty. All certified automotive recyclers will have a warranty of some kind, and you can usually get what you need. At Pete’s Auto Parts, our warranty is very customizable, so you only pay for what you want. If you are doing the installation yourself and you are not a certified mechanic, that is no problem, we only ask you install the used engine properly and have the correct tools to do so. Many modern vehicles need to be reprogramed after an engine installation, but our favorite “backyard mechanics” either have the scan tool to do that or they take it to someone who does. These “backyard mechanics” usually don’t want to pay for labor coverage, but they will often buy a 3 year warranty so if the part does eventually fail, they will get another without cost. High end garages almost always choose labor coverage, so they can be paid for the job twice if they need to do the job twice.
9. Supporting Local Businesses
By choosing to buy a used engine from Pete’s Auto Parts, you support a local business and contribute to the local economy. Our operations create jobs and foster economic growth within the community. Shopping locally also means you receive personalized service and support that can be hard to find with larger, impersonal retailers. If you buy from someone else, we understand, but we encourage you to go with an independently operated store, where the profits are reinvested in the employees, the community, and the facility, versus a large corporation. But hey, that’s up to you. We’re just all about small business here!
10. Enhanced Vehicle Value
Replacing a worn-out engine with a quality used engine can significantly enhance the value and performance of your vehicle. Whether you’re preparing your car for resale or simply aiming to extend its lifespan, a used engine from Pete’s Auto Parts can provide a cost-effective solution that improves your vehicle’s performance and reliability. As we explained above, our warranty is fully transferrable, so if you buy a used engine and sell the vehicle, the engine will still be covered under our warranty!
Conclusion
At Pete’s Auto Parts, we believe that buying a used engine is a smart, economical, and environmentally friendly choice. Our commitment to quality is evident through our thorough inspection and testing process, and our transparency is reinforced by the detailed videos available on our YouTube channel. With significant cost savings, reliable performance, and excellent customer support, a used engine from Pete’s Auto Parts is a decision you can feel confident about.
Explore our extensive inventory of used engines today and see why so many vehicle owners trust Pete’s Auto Parts for their used engine needs. Visit our website or YouTube channel to learn more and find the perfect used engine for your vehicle. Experience the benefits of choosing a quality used engine and drive away with confidence.
Texting
Look, we understand not everyone wants to talk on the phone. It can be tedious. It can be awkward. Sometimes you are at work or your kids are napping or for whatever reason, you just don’t want to talk on the phone. Luckily you can text to find used engines quickly by using the same phone number (616-669-6592) as the normal main number for Pete’s Auto Parts. A sales rep will get back to you quickly, and can even send you a link to the YouTube video of the vehicle running for the used engine you are interested in!.
Google Reviews
If you go to google and search for Pete’s Auto Parts, you can read the reviews from our real customers who were searching for used engines just like you, they found us and bought a used engine from us and took the time to leave us a google review. You don’t have to take our word for it, you can read the real customer feedback on Google.
Pickup
Pete’s Auto Parts is conveniently located close to Grand Rapids and Holland, in Jenison Michigan. We are located at 2544 Port Sheldon St, Jenison, MI 49428. We are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm, but if those hours are not convenient for you, feel free to let your salesperson know that and we will arrange for after hours pickup for your parts. That’s easy! We can accommodate many requests when you are searching for used auto parts online!
The return policy on the used engines we sell is industry standard, you have 30 days to return parts for any reason at all, but they are guaranteed to work for 90 days. Pete’s Auto Parts also offers extended warranties and labor coverage, you are welcome to read more at https://petesauto.net/warranties/
Delivery
Pete’s Auto Parts has a delivery area is huge and we ship nationwide! Check out our massive delivery area here if you are wondering if your car dealership, body shop or garage is in our delivery area: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1xpcgtqNLyC-0SkCFXaj6Qw9SBHDTbZiw&usp=sharing
Although we do not deliver to residences, we can deliver to an automotive repair shop, so if you are working with a mechanic, we can deliver to their shop with normal business hours. We go all the way up to Traverse City and all the way down to South Bend!
You may have searched used engines near me thinking you would find a store close-by, and perhaps you are not in our delivery area or not even in Michigan. Do not fear! We can ship used engines parts to you easily. We have a secure payment process and can ship used engines on a freight truck to get them to you!
Next Steps
When you started looking for used engines near Grand Rapids you may have been unsure of what you would find, but we hope you are pleasantly surprised! Pete’s Auto Parts can do a great job taking care of you and getting you the used engine you need if you give us a chance! Call or text today 616-669-6592. Or go to our used engine search page and search for your part today!
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!
Some More Info:
Check us out on facebook! https://facebook.com/petesautoparts
Find videos of our vehicles running on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@petesauto7873
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:
Buying Tires Near Me: Upsides & Downsides of Pre-Owned Tires
