No matter what kind of vehicle you drive one thing is certain- at some point you’re going to need to replace one of its parts. It’s just the way things are; parts rub, grind and wear against one another and eventually need to be replaced to keep your car running. It’s no secret that owning a car is an expense, not an investment, so why spend more than you have to on maintaining it?
Keeping Old Cars Running
The average American owns their car for at least 6-7 years minimum before replacing it, according to an Edmunds article. Further, according to an Auto News article, the average age of vehicles on the road in 2016 was 11.6 years! It makes sense- if you paid thousands of dollars on your vehicle you probably want to get your money’s worth and you’ll be willing to drive it until the wheels fall off. And even then, you might try to put them back on and get another 1,000 miles out of it. Either way, when it’s time to replace some parts to keep your car on the road you’ll have to decide between getting new and used parts.
Lost Value and Secret Savings
As soon as a new car drives off the lot, the car instantly loses around 10% or more of the its value and every part on the car is considered used- even if that car was only driven 10 miles before being sold again. As time goes on, the car and its parts only lose more value. In fact, according to Black Book, which is a tool used for tracking used car pricing, cars lose on average 20-30% of their value in the first year of ownership. The secret dealers and manufacturers don’t want you to know is that oftentimes these used parts that have lost so much value over time are still in great working condition, and the only difference between those parts and new parts is the number on the price tag.
As stated above, as soon as a new car leaves the lot it, along with all of its parts, are considered used. This is true no matter how far that car goes and what happens to it. For example, if someone purchased a new car only to drive it for three months and decide they want something else, that car’s like-new parts would still be considered used and could be marked down hundreds of dollars.
Not only can buying used parts save you money, but it could actually be safer for your car in the long run. Besides the lower price tag, another benefit of buying used car parts is that they were produced by the original vehicle manufacturer and met the manufacturer’s quality and safety standards. Aftermarket parts might not always meet these standards or measure the exact same as original parts, and what you save in up-front cost of the part you may pay for in new problems caused by using the wrong parts.
Conclusion
Once you consider the fact that drivers are trying to hold on to their cars for as long as possible and the options available to replace parts as they wear and tear, the benefits of buying used parts become apparent. Used doesn’t mean broken, rusty and old. In fact, a used part might be just as new as some of the parts that are sitting on shelves somewhere waiting to be shipped to a dealer. Unlike third-party and aftermarket parts, used parts were made by the original vehicle manufacturer and were specifically designed for the exact make and model they go to. Paired with a significantly lower price tag compared to its new counterpart, it’s hard to find a reason to spend more on new parts.
Holbrook Auto Parts wants to help you save money and keep your car on the road for as long as possible, that’s why we test all of our used parts to ensure you get the quality parts you need for less. Need a part? Visit our website or come in to one of our multiple locations around Detroit, we’d love to help you get back on the road!
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That’s interesting that some people replace parts on their car with only a few miles on it. That makes sense that some used parts could be pretty much new. I feel like that you could find some good deals on parts that way, but I feel like that the majority of used parts aren’t in that good of condition.
It’s unfortunately a common misconception that used parts are beat up or in bad condition. You certainly can save a lot of money by getting high-quality, tested used parts for your car!
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Thank you very much!
Thanks for this advice for getting used car parts. It’s good to know that getting used car parts by the original vehicle manufacturer can actually be a safe option because they meet the manufacturer’s standards. This sounds really helpful especially so you know that the parts will work with a particular car model.
So happy to hear you found the article helpful!
Hi there, great post! I was hoping you could help me with something. I was wondering, How many miles is too many for buying a BMW? My wife really wants to buy one but I’m leaning towards an Audi instead. Looking forward to your reply! 🙂
Glad you found the article helpful! Really, it comes down to preference. Most drivers would rather buy a car with less than 100,000 miles, although a well-maintained car can last much longer. Speak to the salesman and have your mechanic take a look at the car before you buy so you can be sure you’re getting a vehicle that will last!
I like how the article explains that used car parts can help to keep an old car running. My car is very old and is needing a new part that isn’t available anymore. Maybe I can find a used part to put in my car to keep it running.
Exactly, used parts are a great option for saving money and often are the only option for older model vehicles that are no longer in production. Feel free to browse our inventory online or give us a call – Holbrook Auto Parts offers global shipping options!
I liked that you said that one reason to buy used car parts is to save money since they lose value the older they get. I would imagine that this would be a good option for a college student who doesn’t have very much money. I would be sure to consider purchasing old car parts in order to save money.
Glad you found the content helpful!
I thought it was helpful that you mentioned that buying used auto parts can help you save money and be safer for your car in the long run. I have been wanting to fix up some things in my car but I wasn’t sure if I should just look for old manufacturer parts or aftermarket replacement parts. Maybe I’ll have to check out some auto parts options in my area and see what I can do.
Thanks for the support!
My brother owns a nice car and wants to take good care of it. It would be really nice to get some parts from a professional. It was interesting to learn about the secret value in used car parts.
Thank you for your support!
It’s interesting to know that when its time to replace some parts, you have the option to choose between new and used parts for your car. My brother drives a classic car, and find the parts that he needs sometimes is hard. I believe that the best option that he has is to buy preowned auto parts to keep his car running.
That’s a great point!
I totally agree with you when you said that used parts were made by the original vehicle manufacturer and were specifically designed for the exact make and model they go to. My friend hit his car with the garage door and now he needs to fix the back bumper. I will definitely advise him to check for used parts.
Great idea, thanks for the support!
I liked that you mentioned buying used car parts will be less expensive than new parts. My husband and I bought a classic car, and we are looking for advice about where to find auto parts. I believe that buying used parts for our remodeling project will seriously help to save some money.
You made an interesting point that used parts lose their value as they age, which is a good fact because buyers can save money. Onew orf my cousin still has the car he bought in high school, and he wants to repair to lend it to his daughter. Since the car needs some parts, I will recommend him buying used parts to repair the vehicle.
This is truly informative post regarding effective use of used car parts. Thanks for sharing this valuable note.
It’s good that you point out that buying used car parts is a great way to save money when you’re fixing your vehicle. I’m currently trying to repair my car, so I’m considering using second-hand parts to save money. I’m going to look for a good business in the area that sells used car parts.