Coming To A Decision On Recycled Car Parts
Articles - Lifestyle
You go out to start your car and nothing happens. You know that the starter has been sounding odd lately. You could take it somewhere for repairs, but it is very expensive. You decide to the job yourself. Maybe you like to enjoy the exercise and challenge of doing your own work? How do you go about obtaining the right car parts? Here are a few things to consider.
by EddieLamb


You go out to start your car and nothing happens. You know that the starter has been sounding odd lately. You could take it somewhere for repairs, but it is very expensive. You decide to the job yourself. Maybe you like to enjoy the exercise and challenge of doing your own work? How do you go about obtaining the right car parts? Here are a few things to consider.

So Many Choices

You may face several decisions while looking for the right part. You can search for a starter at a parts store website. Put in information asked for, and you will see starters that fit your car. It may pull up a list of several that will fit. Which one do you buy? Some are re-manufactured and some are new. Some have a short warranty and others have a lifetime warranty. How do you make the right decision?

Parts That Have Been Rebuilt

Many parts that you can buy will be rebuilt. This is not the same as a used part from a salvage yard. When you buy a re-manufactured or rebuilt part there is an extra fee. It is called a core charge. For example, the starter might be fifty dollars. The core charge might be fifteen dollars. The initial cost will be sixty-five dollars. When you bring your old part in, the store refunds you the core charge. As long as the starter is not severely damaged, you will get the money back.

Recycling Old Parts

Your old part is sent to a facility to be rebuilt. It will eventually be back in a parts store; clean and ready to go.

Parts Which Are Brand New

A new starter is one that has never been on a car before. It is all brand new. They will usually be more expensive than re-manufactured parts.

Does The Warranty Matter?

Deciding on which part to get will depend on the situation. If you do not plan on keeping the car very long, a short warranty is fine. If you intend to have the car for years, a good warranty might be the best choice. Both the new part and re-manufactured part may have a lifetime warranty. If that is the case, the least expensive would be the better option. The guarantee will usually be a LLT warranty. LLT stands for limited lifetime warranty. This usually means that if the part fails, you return it to the store for a new part. However, remember to read the fine print of the warranty to be certain of your rights.

In Closing

The decision to buy new or re-manufactured car parts can be determined by the warranty. Also take into consideration how long you plan to keep your car. Always read parts warranties to be certain of your rights.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.