Shoutout to that shop in Tucson that only uses used parts... but is that actually a good thing?

2 comments

2 Comments

You're saying "you're gambling on how long that part will actually last" @vera_palmer but that's true for new parts too. I've had a brand new alternator die in 8 months and a used one from a junkyard last me 4 years. It's a crap shoot either way. Plus you're ignoring the price gap on stuff like a used steering rack versus a new one from the dealer. That could be 400 bucks difference and for a lot of people that's the difference between fixing their car and not driving at all.

vera_palmer1d ago

Using only used parts is a terrible idea for most people. Who wants to pay for a transmission that already has 150,000 miles on it? You might save a couple hundred bucks upfront, but you're gambling on how long that part will actually last. Plus, warranties are basically nonexistent with used parts, so when it fails in six months you're paying double for labor to swap it out again. New parts might cost more but at least you know they weren't already worn down by some other driver. Used shops are fine for trim pieces or cosmetic stuff, but for actual mechanical parts it's just asking for trouble down the road.