No matter what you drive, it’s inevitable that you’ll need a car repair at some point. When you get the estimate, you’ll notice that there are two main components the parts and the labor. The auto shop or dealership will have a set labor cost. So short of taking the vehicle elsewhere, you really can’t reduce the labor cost. However, when it comes to purchasing the parts, you may be able to save a significant amount of money by shopping around for cheaper parts. Here are some tips on how to find cheaper parts to lower the overall cost of your vehicle repairs. If you employ these tactics over and over again throughout your driving life, you’ll save quite a bit of money over the long-haul.

Avoid the Dealership

Unless the vehicle is still under warranty and the repair is free, avoid taking the vehicle to the dealership unless absolutely necessary. Why? Because the dealership uses official certified parts that cost the consumer a premium. After a vehicle is made, a car company continues to make parts for a number of years knowing that customers will need them for repair. While it’s great that the parts are available, the downside is that those parts are the most expensive on the market.

After Market Parts

Seek out an national auto part chains to purchase your car parts. These national chains specialize in working with manufacturers that make vehicle parts. Because they are not made by the car manufacturers themselves and not “officially certified” they are lower in cost. However, you want to make sure the auto part store is reputable and still offers you a warranty on the part itself. For example, if your battery dies, it’s probably cheaper to purchase it from an auto part store, just make sure the battery has a warranty. Usually battery warranties run several years. Warranty lengths will vary by part.

Visit the Car Junk Yard

Junk yards can be great places to strip cars for parts you need. Contact your local salvage yard and tell them the make and model of the vehicle for which you need a part. If they have one, they’ll let you come remove the part yourself. Fees do vary based on the part. However, because you are actively removing the part and therefore doing some of the leg-work, the price is cheaper. Please note there is probably not a warranty on these parts.

Auction Websites

Auction websites are great places to locate parts at a discount. Why? Because you aren’t just limited to the one or two stores in your area. Online you can buy from an entire world of sellers. One thing to consider is the shipping cost. If the item is heavy, it might behoove you to purchase it locally.

When it comes to finding cheap car parts, be sure to shop around for the best price. A little investigative work will help you keep some of your hard earned money in your pocket.