Buying Used Engines
What to look for when purchasing a used engine.
By Ben Silver - October 14, 2015
Here's a brief breakdown of what to look for and what are red flags when purchasing a used engine...
- Mileage - Obviously, the lower the better. Look for engines with less than 15,000 miles per model year. Expect to pay more for low mileage engines and less for high mileage engines.
- Red Flag - No mileage or unknown mileage. This is a bad sign, but if you're in a dire situation, you can always CarFax the VIN and find out the last known mileage.
- Tested - Preferrably, you want an engine that was "run tested". This means the recycler actually got the vehicle to run and tested the engine while running.
- Compression tests are great too, especially if the engine was not run tested.
- Warranty - Always get at least a 90 Day Warranty on the part.
- Some recyclers offer labor protection or an extended warranty. This is a good idea to insure a large purchase.
- Vendor or Recycler - Look for Team PRP Recyclers, BBB Members (A+), and members of state and local industry associations.