Replacing Common Car Parts Yourself

Renovating an Old Car? Make Sure That You Choose the Recycling Route

by Roy Bradley

If you own a car that is a bit long in the tooth, you may have decided to keep it but to upgrade or replace many of the worn-out parts. You want to make sure that this is a cost-effective option, though, as you would rather not spend the money to buy a brand-new vehicle. As you begin to look at the cost of these components, you'll want to consider buying parts that are reconditioned instead of brand-new, but what do you need to know about the recycling process involved?

Manufacturer Choice

Most major car manufacturers have now decided to place a lot of emphasis on recycling and reconditioning for many reasons. To begin with, it costs a lot less to recycle and reconditioned an individual component than it does to create from scratch. They can then pass this saving along to the consumer, making the investment far more attractive.

End of Life Value

Tens of thousands of cars come to the end of their life each year, and many of them will find their way to a breaker's yard or a scrapheap. Yet, there is a lot of hidden value in those vehicles once they reach the hands of a professional car breaker. In fact, the majority of parts contained within each car can, in some way, be reconditioned and used again, and there is little wonder that the salvage industry has now become so prominent.

The Better Choice

If you own and operate a popular make and model of vehicle, you will almost certainly find a reconditioned part for each worn-out component. The parts supplier will usually guarantee these, and you can be sure that the process involved in refurbishing was top-notch.

Protecting the Environment

Of course, in addition to saving money, you want to ensure that you are doing your best to reduce your carbon footprint size. By buying a reconditioned part, you will help to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions associated with new steel manufacture. You may avoid using other natural resources and unneeded energy as well, as it is a lot easier to re-purpose the part in question than it is to build it from scratch.

Doing the Numbers

As you proceed with your project, compare the cost of brand-new parts with recycled ones. You can be confident that the parts will be suitable for the purpose and will last for a long time. This is a better solution than opting for used components, where you know little about their history and potential durability.

Making Your Move

Talk with your parts supplier and draw up a list of your recycled replacements. For example, you might draw up a list of Toyota spare parts you want to get.

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