If you have ever experienced engine problems, you know that repairing or replacing your car’s motor can be frustrating and expensive. To make matters worse, the cost of a new engine is often more than what your car is worth.
Fortunately, there is a hack shared by mechanics and auto enthusiasts that can help you save time and money- buying high-quality used engines online. If you shop carefully and make sure you’re getting your parts from a certified auto recycler, you can save some serious cash just like the pros.
How do mechanics find quality used engines online?
Finding a good quality used engine online can be tricky, but there are several tricks that expert mechanics use that will help you in your search:
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Search for engines with low mileage.
Checking the mileage on a motor is one of the easiest ways to find out how long it will last. Modern car engines are built to run for hundreds of thousands of miles, but they don’t last forever. Generally speaking, the fewer miles an engine has, the more reliable it will be. Always ask the seller how many miles are on the engine before you buy. If the mileage exceeds 100,000, you may be better off finding another one with less road wear and tear. If you find an engine listed online that doesn’t specify mileage, consider it a red flag.
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Look for OEM engines, not remanufactured or aftermarket.
When the pros look for used parts to buy online, they prefer to use parts that were made by the original manufacturer, rather than an aftermarket part made by a separate company. OEM, or Original Equipment Manufacturer, means that the part was designed and created by the same company that originally made the part. If you stick with OEM parts, you can be sure the engine was specifically built for your car’s year, make and model. Used aftermarket parts, on the other hand, are risky and could be low quality.
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Only buy used engines that are inspected and tested for quality.
Before you purchase a used engine make sure it is tested before it is shipped. Even if an engine works when the car is disassembled, there is no guarantee it will work once you get it to the repair shop and install it in your car. Plus, swapping an engine is a big job, and you don’t want to pay for labor only to have to do it again. Reputable online parts stores test each and every part before they sell it, but the same cannot be said for private sellers on websites like Craigslist.
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Make sure the used engine comes with a warranty.
Never buy a used auto part online that doesn’t include some form of warranty or guarantee. Most used auto parts sold still have plenty of life left in them, but it’s extremely difficult to tell how long they will last without putting them in the car and testing them. Without a warranty, you run the risk of paying for labor to install a part that doesn’t work. The best auto parts sellers will offer a warranty from 3 months to a year. If your part fails within that time, you’re covered.
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Research until you find a reputable online parts dealer.
Mechanics source their car parts from reliable and established online auto stores that have years in the business and a positive reputation from their customers. Since you aren’t going to be able to inspect the replacement engine in person, you must shop from a place that you can trust to deliver working parts. Sellers that don’t have a website or customer reviews are a red flag.
If you follow these tips, you’ll find that many of the used engines available online are not as much of a good deal as they appear, but keep looking! There are plenty of great places to buy used engines online, and it’s worth it to put in the leg work to find the best deal.
Where is the best place to buy used engines according to mechanics?
Mechanics typically buy their used parts from one of two places: a scrapyard or an online used auto parts store, like BuyUsedEnginesAndTransmissions.com. The best places to buy a used engine online will offer:
- Free quotes and transparent pricing
- Free shipping
- Quality assurance/warranty
Engines, even used ones, are expensive big-ticket items. Unfortunately, there are people out there looking to make a quick buck by selling auto parts that are defective or won’t last. Mechanics will tell you that the reputation of the individual or business that is selling you the used engine is just as important as factors like mileage or warranties. Once they find a parts seller that they trust, they continue to buy from that company over and over again.
Never buy a used engine if you’re skeptical about the seller. If the offer looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Are Craigslist used engines for sale a good deal?
There are some good deals on used engines on Craigslist, but it’s risky buying auto parts from private sellers online because:
- It is extremely difficult to determine the quality of an auto part through pictures online, so you have to really trust your source
- Most private sellers do not have the means to test the part before they sell it.
- You’re limited to what is local. Shipping an engine is extremely difficult, and most private sellers do not have the means to ship an engine.
- If you do purchase a bad engine on a website like Craigslist, there is no way to get your money back if it doesn’t work.
The safest bet is to buy your used engine from a company that specializes in dismantling cars and recycling auto parts. They have the equipment and know-how to inspect the part for damage, test to ensure quality and ship it directly to your repair shop.