subject: Deciding On Remanufactured Car Parts [print this page] 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.
Making The Right Decision
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?
Re-Manufactured
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.
Never Used Before
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.
Warranty Decisions
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.
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.
