Deciding On Reconditioned Car Parts
Written by Eddie Lamb   
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 19:53
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

Most local auto parts stores have websites. You can go there and search for the part that you need. Enter the right information for the model of your car. You will see the parts that are available. There may be a number of options for the same part. For example, you may see four starters that will fit your car. One may be re-manufactured with a ninety-day warranty. Two of them may be re-manufactured with a lifetime warranty. One of them may be brand new. How do you decide which part to buy?

Parts That Have Been Rebuilt

Some parts have a core charge. This is common with re-manufactured parts like starters. You pay the core charger upfront. When you turn in your used part, it is refunded. If you bring your old part with you at purchase time, there will be no core charge incurred. This is assuming that the old part can be rebuilt. In some cases, like brake shoes, they can be damaged to the point of no repair. In that case, you would not be refunded the core charge.

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.

Never Used Before

New parts are completely new. They did not come from a previous vehicle. They are more expensive as a general rule.

Does The Warranty Matter?

Are you going to trade your car in on a new one soon? A LLT or limited lifetime warranty may be wasted, in that case. If you want to keep your car for a long time, it could be a viable option. The longer warranty will probably cost more money, but it can be your best option. Whenever a LLT part fails, you can take it back and get another part. A good rule is to read all warranties, to be sure of what rights you may have.

Summary

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.

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