Affordable alternatives to costly car repairs

If your car is making some creepy noises, don't worry. It's not haunted. It's broken, which can be a costly nightmare. However, there are ways to cut these costs without ghosting your car's safety and performance.

World of aftermarket parts

Aftermarket parts come with all the quality of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) but without the bougie price tag. Here's how to get the most out of aftermarket parts for your car.

Aftermarket part benefits

Savings: They're made by third-party manufacturers, making it easy on your wallet.

Availability: Loads of options are available for many makes and models.

Performance: Many aftermarket parts are manufactured to meet or run circles around the OEM standards.

Warranty: Some aftermarket parts come with warranties, which is nice for your peace of mind.

Aftermarket part bummers

Quality: Not all aftermarket parts are as top-notch as others, so research, research, research.

Warranty: Terms may not be up to snuff from those offered by OEM parts.

Resale: Aftermarket parts can affect the resale value of your car.

Salvage yard surplus

Also called junkyards or auto recyclers, they can be treasure troves for used car parts. You can find jillions of parts at a slice of the price you'd pay for new ones. Bring a list of the parts you need, including the make, model, and year of your car. Pore over salvaged parts for wear, damage, or signs of rust before purchasing. Salvage yard employees are often knowledgeable and can help you find what you need.

Salvage yards benefits

Savings: Salvage yards parts offer savings out of the wazoo compared to the cost of new ones.

Eco-friendly: It's another way to recycle. Using salvaged parts reduces the environmental impact.

Rare finds: You may stumble upon hard-to-find parts that are no longer available.

Salvage yard bummers

Quality: The condition of parts can vary, so it's important to inspect thoroughly.

Warranty: Most salvage yard warranties are what you see is what you get.

Resale: Parts from a salvage yard can affect the resale value of your car.

Aftermarket online shopping

The interweb has made it child's play to find affordable car parts. Online shopping forums can connect you with new and used parts at competitive prices.

DIY grease monkeys

Regardless of where you get your parts, one of the most useful ways to save on car repairs is by doing the work yourself. Learning basic mechanic skills can help you save major moolah. Before you do, pick a car whiz's brain first, just to be on the safe side.

Before you make any major repairs, think about the resale value of your car versus the cost of fixing it. You can find out how much we'd buy your car with our no-pressure instant offer.