There are many DIY car repairs that you can easily and safely perform yourself with the right tools and a little research. But is replacing a windshield one of them? At U Wrench It, we have a huge variety of used car parts available for thrifty DIY mechanics. Read on as we break down the pros and cons of purchasing a windshield at a salvage yard.

Reasons to Purchase a Used Windshield

The most obvious benefit of purchasing and replacing a windshield yourself is cost. Depending on the make and model of your car, it may be easy to find a windshield or other auto glass at an auto salvage yard, and you’ll pay far less than if you ordered a new windshield. However, despite the affordability, availability, and ease of replacement DIY windshield repair entails, there are some strong reasons to leave it to the professionals.

Reasons Not to Purchase a Used Windshield

Depending on your auto insurance, you may be able to get your windshield replaced by a professional for free or at a discounted rate. If your plan covers such repairs, you should take advantage of a new, professionally-installed windshield to prevent voiding your warranty or making a mistake on installation.

Even if you have to pay out of pocket, you may want to opt for a new windshield due to safety concerns. When you purchase auto glass at a salvage yard, you don’t know whether the source vehicle has been in an accident, which could weaken the glass even if there is only a faint scratch or chip.

Ultimately, whether you decide to go the DIY route or leave it to the pros should depend on your vehicle warranty, auto insurance plan, and confidence in your auto repair skills. At U Wrench It, we’re always happy to help our customers find the right part for a project, so give us a call today at (770) 448-6485.

There are many reasons why you might be getting rid of your old car; maybe you need more space for your growing family, the car needs a costly repair, or you’re just upgrading to something more exciting! Perhaps you’re committing to using public transportation, or you want to get a more fuel-efficient ride to save money on a long commute. Whatever your reason, be sure to get the most out of your used car with these tips.

Give Your Car a Facelift

You might be surprised what a difference a few simple repairs can do for the value of your used car! If you know your vehicle needs some TLC, consider the complexity of repairs and whether or not it’s worth resolving those issues. There are lots of things you may be able to do yourself.

Check out YouTube to explore a plethora of do-it-yourself videos with pro-tips from real mechanics. You can fix up your car with used auto parts from U-Wrench-It to save money. Just be sure to consider how much value it will add to your asking price compared to how much the part costs.

Make Lemonade from Your Lemon

If your car needs a lot of repairs and the cost of doing them outweighs the value you could get from selling, then sell us your junk car! Just because the transmission is bad or the axle is bent doesn’t mean the whole car is a lost cause. The other parts may be in good condition and eligible for resale to a thrifty DIY mechanic. If your car is old, rare, or out of production, the parts will be even more valuable to automotive enthusiasts hunting for a rare part to complete their own fixer-upper.

So call us today at (404) 805-0900 to  discuss selling us your junk car!

We should all do our part to help save the environment, especially when doing so is easy (and can save you money)! Here are just a few ways that buying used auto parts help saves the environment:

• Keep Stuff Out of Landfills – Landfills have adverse effects on air and soil quality, and have a direct negative impact on humans and nature. One of the best things we can do for the environment is to minimize the amount of waste we discard. When you buy used auto parts, you are directly helping to keep these parts out of landfills.
• Recycle and Reuse-  Recycling auto parts is important (including recycling your used motor oil), but another important part of recycling is upcycling. Recycling costs resources, whereas upcycling or reusing items requires little to no new resources.
• New Parts Use More Resources – Any newly manufactured item requires resources to create. And it’s not just the resources used in production, but also those used to transport the product across the country or world. Buying used auto part helps reduce these environmental costs.
• Repair Your Car for the Environment – The very act of keeping your car in good repair is good for the environment, as a well-maintained car puts out reduced emissions. Simply put, the better your vehicle is running, the less it contributes to air pollution.

The environmental impact is great, but buying used will also you’ll save money! You don’t have to be Captain Planet to appreciate the monetary benefits, so check out our prices and parts catalog today!

If you’re wondering how reliable are used auto parts, then you should know that it does depends on the type of part and where you’re getting it from. Checking it out in-person is best so that you can verify its quality and make sure it’s what you’re looking for.

When to Buy Used Auto Parts?

When you buy brand new auto parts, you’re generally pretty sure that the part you get will be in good condition. Used parts are cheaper, but they do require more expertise to know if it’s worth the risk of getting a dud.

Here is when you should consider buying used:

• To Save Money – Used parts are hands down cheaper than buying new. If you’re looking to save money, a used part is generally the way to go.
• To Do-it-Yourself – There’s just something special about doing it yourself. If you enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together again, then a salvage yard is the place for you.
• To Find Parts that Are No Longer Available – If you’re fixing up an old or classic car, you might find yourself in need of a part that’s no longer available (NLA). Buying NLA parts can be a pain, so this is another instance where buying used auto parts is the way to go. Even if you can’t find a junker of the exact car you’re trying to fix up, many components are shared across makes and models, so there’s a good chance you can find what you’re looking for at a salvage yard.

If you want to save money and do-it-yourself, then check out our parts catalog and prices!

While it can be a lot of fun to just browse a salvage yard, if you want to get the most of your visit then you should do a little planning. Here are some tips to get the most out of your salvage yard visit:

• Bring the Right Tools – There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect part only to realize you don’t have the right size tool to remove one last bolt. Study up on the parts you need and what tools might be required to remove them. When in doubt, bring more tools than you think you might need. You can always leave the majority of your tools in your car.
• Research Your Compatible Options – It’s obvious that you need your vehicle’s make and model, but you should also research all your compatible options. Many vehicles share components across makes and models, so don’t limit your search before it even begins.
• Check out Our Parts Catalog – Before you even visit our Norcross auto parts shop, you can search our parts catalog online and check our prices to help you plan your search.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions – When in doubt, ask our staff! We’re more than happy to be of assistance.
• Plan for Future Projects – While you’re elbow deep in car parts, you might as well plan ahead for future projects or stock up on spare parts. Likewise, sometimes it’s easier to take a larger part rather than going through the hassle of taking it apart for one of its smaller components.

To stay up to date on all the latest salvage news U-Wrench-It, sign up for our Mobile VIP Club.