We’ve all been there. The car starts making a funny noise, a warning light pops up on the dash, or perhaps you have a little parking mishap and damage to show for it. You take it to the mechanic, hold your breath and then get that phone call with the quote. It’s eye-watering what the bill comes to for the fix, not because of excessive labour but because the cost of a single new part direct from a manufacturer is exorbitant.
It’s a split second that can make you wonder if it’s even worth fixing the car you depend on for everyday needs. But before you clear out the bank account or wave a teary-eyed farewell to your trusty vehicle, we want to share something that savvy Perth car owners have known for years.
A car wrecker’s yard isn’t some sad graveyard of vehicles. It’s a bustling, well-ordered and treasure-filled bazaar. Welcome to WA Auto Parts, your leading used auto parts buyer, seller and wrecker in Perth. We have been doing that for over 15 years now and we understand that behind every EOL car there are real, functional parts – waiting for a second life. We will count down the top 10 most-rarified and sought-after parts you can find directly below, so you save big bucks on your next fix or project.
The Top 10 Countdown:
Engines & Transmissions
Why they’re a top pick: This is the hands-down best bargain around. The engine and tranny are obviously the most complicated & most costly parts to replace! A catastrophic motor failure or failing gearbox can often translate into a repair bill of more than the value of the vehicle, leaving owners to discard an otherwise perfectly good car.
This is where we step in. Finding a good, guaranteed second hand low km engine/gearbox unit from our yard will save you thousands of dollars and possibly weeks or months of downtime. It’s the difference between a relatively cheap repair and whomp-whomp-whomping out hundreds or thousands of dollars for more damage done. We carefully select and journal our donor vehicles so that you are able to go pick up a ready-to-run engine for your ride at a fraction of the cost of a new one.
Pro-Tip: If you give us a call on (08) 9358 1392, you can inquire about the past of donor car with our knowledgeable team. We’re often able provide information on kilometres and condition, allowing you to make a purchase with complete certainty.
Doors, Bonnets, Fenders, Bumpers) (Body panels etc.)
Why they’re a great find: Dings, dints and scratches second-hand damage is a reality for most car owners because cosmetic damage to a cars exterior doesn’t have to spell the end of your driving enjoyment. The only issue is that repairing it can be quite expensive – not because of the panel, but because you’ll have to paint and blend it to match your car.
This is the wrecker’s hack of all hacks. Row upon row of vehicles and high odds are that we have the particular door, hood or fender you require in your specific factory colour code — today! If you can find a matching panel then all you may need to do it bolt it on and save yourself hundreds, or thousands, of dollars in panel beating cost + paint.
Pro-Tip: Find your car’s paint code before you call. It’s typically on a small metal plate in the engine bay or in the door jamb. This coding enables us to have the perfect colour match for you immediately.
Alternators & Starter Motors
Why they’re a great find: If you’ve ever turned the key in your ignition only to hear that frustrating ‘click-click-click’, or watched in despair as your car dies at the traffic lights, you probably already know what it means for your starter motor, or alternator is on-the-blink. These fundamental electrical parts are the most likely to fail, especially among cars that have a few years on them. A new unit from the dealer can be shockingly expensive.
We test and warrant the alternators and starter motors, in their vehicles we dismantle, at WA Auto Parts. Our yard’s Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part does that same work as new, but it often provides longer service life than some low-cost new outsource component for a fraction of the price.
Pro-Tip: You should have your mechanic remove the old unit so you can match part numbers exactly. This ensures a great fit every time so that your Crusader runs in top shape, whether you are on the road or traveling through any off-road.
Headlight and Taillight Assemblies
Why they’re a top find: A damaged headlight or taillight isn’t only cosmetic — it’s dangerous and won’t pass roadworthy. In the old days, this was a low-cost bandage. But in today’s cars with their intricate LED DRL, Adaptive HID and integrated indicators these assemblies have become high-tech & costly electronic components. Now, a single headlight assembly can cost in the thousands. A complete, undamaged unit found at our yard is one of the best money saver you can find in automotive repair today.
Pro-Tip: when buying, give the lens a good once-over for major scratches, internal haze/fogging or yellowing caused by the sun. Also check if there are any broken mounting tabs on the back.
Wheels & Rims
Why they’re a top pick: We have all misread a curb. That gut-wrenching scraping sound is likely to leave you with an alloy wheel that’s badly gashed. The trouble is that dealers typically don’t sell a single new rim — you buy the set. Car wreckers are the answer. We do have a single matching factory rim that can match yours to make your set complete. What’s more, if you would like to upgrade your entry-level steel wheels for a set of factory alloys from a higher spec vehicle, we are the cheapest place in Australia to do it.
Pro-Tip: If you’re going to call us, make sure you have a nice picture of your wheel. This enables us to swiftly determine the style and locate a match from our stock.
Wing Mirrors (Side Mirrors)
Why they’re a top find: Side mirrors linger in the line of fire. They are the first victims of tight car parks, narrow garage doors and passing cyclists. What was a basic piece of glass now is often heated and electric-folding, with indicator-blinking electronics that can cost a small fortune to replace. This deal is an old-fashioned wrecker. You can replace the exact part you need for one gazillionth of the price from the dealer sparkledriver.
Pro-Tip: List Your Car’s Features. Just tell us whether your mirror is electric, heated or has an integrated signal — so we can match you up with the appropriate one. And be sure to say whether it’s the driver or passenger side!
Radiators and Cooling Fans
Why they’re worth the price: Perth’s summer can put a lot of strain on a car’s cooling system. A radiator that’s leaking or is plugged up can result in overheating, and cause your engine to produce catastrophic – read: terminal – damage. They also tend to be better constructed than a cheap aftermarket new radiator and you should have minimal or no fitting issues. It’s a cost-effective, trustworthy option to care for your engine.
Pro-Tip: When you examine a used radiator, be wary of any green or orange residue that might signal a previous leak. Also, look for smooth, straight (against a flat surface) fine cooling fins that are not heavily corroded.
Seats and Interior Components
Why they’re a top pick: Is your driver’s seat ratty and torn apart after decades of service? Are there tough stains you’ve sprayed, rubbed and scrubbed but they still won’t budge? Here is your opportunity to upgrade comfort significantly without spending much. WA Auto Parts can often provide a complete set of seats from a newer or more upmarket vehicle in great condition. This is the perfect time to restore and upgrade your well-worn cloth interior with all-leather! We also stock dashboards, door cards, centre consoles and gear knobs to re-fresh the interior of your car back to new.
Pro-Tip: A) If you are upgrading seats, make sure that the mounting points on the floor (seat rails) and electrical connectors for devices such as airbags and electric adjustments will be compatible with your model.
Window Glass and Motors
Why they’re a great pick: A broken side window is an immediate security threat. Getting one from a wrecker is quick, painless and ridiculously cheap. We have the same factory-tinted glass match as your other windows. What’s more, if your electric window fails to work at all then it is likely that the motor or regulator mechanism within the door has gone—both of which are inexpensive and easy parts to pick up from us.
Pro-Tip: side window glass you can usually buy the whole door out of the donor car. This serves to protect the glass as you transport it and give you some extra parts like the lock mechanism, and speaker.
ECUs and Electronic Modules
Why they’re a top find: This is for the tech-savvy DIYer or professional mechanic. Swell, but the vehicle’s computer brain — its Engine Control Unit (ECU), others call this system a powertrain control module or an engine and transmission management system module, among other names; additionally there are many other modules on board to manage everything from airbag deployment to handling gear shifts — still guzzles your data. When they go wrong, it’s a diagnostic nightmare and astronomically expensive to have fixed. A second hand unit of the same part number can be source from a wrecker to fix this issue for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
Pro-Tip: This is crucial—the part numbers on the old and new modules need to match exactly. Replacement pre-programmed ECUs are available for many makes and models, but they can require reprogramming by an automotive locksmith or professional in order to work with your car’s security keys.
Conclusion: Your Go-To Place for Auto Parts
You don’t have to be broke to keep your vehicle up and running. But if you look past brand spanking new parts and embrace the wonderful resource of a professional car wrecker, you suddenly have doors open to a whole new world of savings. You have access to authentic, brand new, flawless factory replacement parts that are still being used in new cars off the assembly line, so everything fits perfectly with no gimmicks.
Before you pay through the nose for a fancy overhaul, Call WA Auto Parts first. From our massive range of models covering almost every make/model that you’ll find on the street’s of Perth and having been in the business for over 15 years, we’re here to help guide you through and get to your the part you need at a price that it worth paying.
Ready to find your bargain? Come and talk to the friendly, knowledgable team at AutoGuru today on (08) 9358 1392 and let our experience save you a fortune!