Your Guide To Clever Shopping At The Junkyard

If you’ve never cruised the aisles of a junkyard to pull your own parts, it’s time to give it a try. Not only can you save loads of money, there’s also a special satisfaction in reusing parts from a salvaged car. It’s like an organ donor giving a second chance at life to another human being.

Here are some pointers to make your junkyard shopping trip enjoyable.

1. Bring the right gear

Before you get to the yard, it’s a good idea to come prepared, so wear sunglasses and closed-toe shoes to protect your eyes and feet. Bring gloves, tools (spanners/breaker bars, battery-powered drills etc) and make sure you’ve got a good supply of water - loosening rusty bolts is sweaty work.

Remember, taking off a bad part before you head to the yard is the best thing you can do because you’ll know exactly what tools you need and how to remove it when you arrive.

2. Know exactly what you need

Do your research ahead of time and figure out exactly which models and years use the part you’re looking for. It couldn’t hurt to expand your selection, and you might find something in better condition where you wouldn’t have searched before. If the part you need is specified with a serial number (such as a motor, carburettor or transmission) bring that number with you. If your local junkyard has an online inventory search, use it to your advantage.

3. Check prices and sales

Most junkyards have a price list posted on their website or can easily quote you a price over the phone. If there is a core charge for the part you need, be sure to bring the bad part with you to avoid paying it up front.

Many places hold ‘all you can carry’ events where a flat rate gets customers as much as their eager arms can hold, so look into that too. Weekend and seasonal discounts are also common on certain items.

4. Act like a decent person when you arrive

You’d think this is common sense, but seriously, be nice to people. If you’re going to make a habit of shopping at your local junkyard, you want to build a good relationship with the people you’ll be dealing with.

Remember, you’ll get help finding a certain car, but don’t expect the staff to have a complete mental inventory of the place. Some parts will already be pulled and tagged, but at most salvage yards it’s a ‘pull it yourself’ deal. Don’t ask for help getting the part. Just pay your entry fee, get pointed in the right direction and do your own thing.

5. Keep your expectations low

When it comes down to it, you’re picking through the scraps of leftover vehicles that nobody wants. If you figure out why the car got tossed in the first place, you’ll know which parts of the car will be of use and which to stay the hell away from.

Junk yards are generally dirty, rusty and, at times, dangerous places to be in, so keep focussed and expect to leave with a dirty face and bloody knuckles.

6. Pick the right parts

If you did your research before getting to the yard, you already know which working parts are worth the money. Forget small items like light bulbs and spark plugs because these can be bought brand new for nearly as cheap. Bumpers, bonnets, body panels, tyres, engines, carburettors, transmissions and small motors are usually priced very low.

Be sure to inquire about possible warranties for some parts. Items like engines and transmissions may carry a short warranty, but stuff like exterior pieces and used batteries will not. The most important step in used parts buying is the inspection. Look the part over for rust, excessive wear, water damager, cracks, cross-threaded holes or signs of overtightened bolts.

If you guys have got any more advice for junkyard newbies, then let us know below!