Things You'll Need:
- mechanical ability
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Step 1
Know the proper name for the part you are looking for. Have a repair manual with pictures for reference. Do not call someplace and say "I need that big thing under the hood."
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Step 2
Determine if the part can be used. A used auto parts dealer (junk yard) always has the cheapest auto parts. Call several dealers to compare prices. Some things to look for at the junk yard would be interior plastic parts, seats, fenders, bumpers, whole engines and many more. Brake and front-end chassis parts are items that should never be reused.
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Step 3
Check online auction and listing sites for large or expensive parts. Sites like Craigslist have people on them that sell parts that are hard to find.
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Step 4
See if the part you need can be rebuilt. It takes time and sometimes special tools to do this. This is often cheaper than buying a complete part.
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Step 5
Check for coupons and sales at full price auto parts stores. Look for online discounts. A sale at one store sometimes is honored at others. The classified section of your local newspaper is a good place to look for cheap auto parts.
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Step 6
Ask the auto parts store clerk if there is a different brand that is cheaper. The cheap auto parts are at the bottom of the computer screen that the clerk is looking at. Lifetime warranty parts only save you money if you can remember what store you bought it from. A receipt probably will be needed for exchange.
