Benefits of using Scrap and Breakers Yards – Yes
The answer to this question must be a resounding YES!
Why do I sound so confident, simply because its something I do all the time.
My hobby is off road driving. This means the vehicle I use meets the edge of its capabilities all the time. This means things break more often, things wear out earlier than the manufacturers guidelines.
To keep my hobby affordable, I regularly source parts from Salvage and Breakers yards. These people have come on in leaps and bounds since the old days of distrust and the feeling of being ripped off as you walk away with your purchase. No longer do you see stacks of car hulks, and wander around looking for a demised version of your vehicle so that you can scavange what you need.
More often than not, the yard will have already stripped off the most common salvageable items. They will have been cleaned and sorted, and even have model numbers written on them for easy identification. I agree that you sometimes pay a little more for this, but, it's much better than wading around in the mud with a spanner in one hand and a screwdriver in the other.
Also, such yards tend to specialise a bit, and this of course increases the chances of them having exactly what you need. This specialisation can be by manufacturer or by vehicle type. Some also split this specialisation between domestic and commercial vehicles too.
A secondary service you can also find at these breakers yards is one of reconditioning of some parts. Alternators, Starter Motors and this sort of thing can be obtained with a warranty, which certainly helps when it comes to peace of mind.
My experiences so far validate my assertion that you do indeed get quality auto parts from such sources. However, like all similar situations, service and reliability comes best from someone you use regularly. This increases the possibility of the exchange of an item if it does not meet the purpose it was sold for, or, you have been very human and purchased the wrong thing.
I would avoid any consumable vehicle items though, some things should always be bought as new. Such as, filters, spark plugs, HT leads and anything else that are normally replaced during a normal vehicle service. I would also avoid things like bearings unless you actually see the working surfaces and are happy that they are reuseable. I make this point as these are the things I often source.
Hopefully this will help those that are hesitant in using Salvage and Breakers Yards. If you are not personally confident in buying car parts this way, take along someone with more knowledge. Over time you will gain the confidence too, and this will help you save money while keeping that car on the road.
