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As a car owner, you may have considered buying used parts to save money on repairs or replacement parts. However, not all car parts are created equal, and some should never be purchased used or second-hand. Certain parts play critical roles in the safety of your vehicle, and investing in new auto parts for them is a must. Here are the car parts you should always buy new:
Auto Parts, You Should Never Buy Used or Second-Hand
1 Used Tires
The first and foremost car part that you should always buy new is a tire. While it's fine to buy used wheels or rims, the rubber tire that wraps around them must always be new. Your car's tires are responsible for providing enough friction to keep it on the ground, and buying second-hand used tires may lead to hidden damage or worn treads, putting your car and your safety at risk. Before it's time to replace them, set aside a budget for new tires.
Look for new tires coupons online or in local advertisements; you can save a considerable amount of money and headaches by purchasing from a local tire shop.
Keep in mind that when getting tires at an online store, you also have to pay for installation, alignment, and balance for each one of them; you could end up paying more money or just as much as if you buy them at a local tire place, the cost of buying local also gives you warranty you can access right away.
2 Shock Absorbers
Shock absorbers should be replaced after 80,000 kilometers. The problem with buying used shock absorbers is that you can't verify the mileage on them, so taking the seller's word for it is a gamble. To ensure your safety, never buy shock absorbers second-hand, and always choose new auto parts.
3 Struts
Struts and shock absorbers play similar roles and experience similar wear and tear, making it impossible to verify how many miles the struts have been used for. Therefore, if you're looking for second-hand car parts, keep struts and used shocks off your shopping list.
4 Seals
Never buy used rubber auto parts, including seals of any kind. Seals sit between two parts to form a tight seal, putting up with plenty of pressure from hot fluids trying to escape. Rubber seals experience wear and tear throughout their life and are susceptible to dry rot, making them more likely to fail when installed in your vehicle. To ensure reliability, always buy new seals.
5 Engine Mounts
Engine mounts keep your engine from moving around in the engine bay as you drive, minimizing vibrations generated by the engine. They are made, at least in part, of rubber, making used engine mounts a risky purchase. While engine mounts are not necessarily expensive to buy brand new, investing in new car parts is a must for safety and reliability.
6 Safety Belts
Looking for used car parts that are cheap is not wrong unless it's something that acts as a thin line separating life from death. That's right; we're talking about safety belts. When you're buying used safety belts, you're putting your life in danger.
As a safety feature, seatbelts are designed to protect you in the event of an accident. But, like any other safety device, seatbelts are prone to wear and tear. In case of a collision, the safety belts must work correctly to prevent serious injuries.
Used safety belts could be damaged or have worn-out webbing that might not withstand the force of an impact, compromising your safety. As such, it's best to invest in brand-new safety belts that can offer the highest level of protection for you and your loved ones.
7 Brake Parts
When it comes to your car's safety, brake parts are essential components. Without them, your car wouldn't stop, which can lead to disastrous results. That's why it's best to avoid buying used brake parts like calipers, rotors, and pads.
Brake pads are designed to wear down over time, which means that they need to be replaced periodically. Used brake pads could be worn out, contaminated, or may have uneven wear patterns, all of which could compromise your braking system's effectiveness.
Similarly, used brake calipers could have internal damage that is not visible to the naked eye. And used brake rotors could have uneven wear, warping or cracking that could lead to brake failure.
So, if you're looking to buy car parts that are crucial for your safety, brake parts should never be on your list.
Vehicle breaks down can be frightening, but investing in the right parts can help you avoid an enormous repair bill or an accident in the future.
8 Air Bags
Airbags are a crucial component of any car's safety system, and they are designed to deploy during a crash to protect the driver and passengers from serious injuries. However, purchasing used airbags is never a good idea, and here's why.
The Risks of Buying Used Airbags
When you buy a used airbag, you have no way of knowing whether it will work as it should in case of a crash. Airbags are complex devices that rely on sensors and other components to detect a crash and deploy at the right time. Any damage to these components, no matter how minor it may seem, can compromise the airbag's effectiveness.
Moreover, airbags are designed to deploy only once, and it's impossible to know how many times a used airbag has already been deployed. Even if the airbag appears to be in good condition, it may not work as intended during an accident, which can put you and your passengers at risk.
9 Electronic Sensors
Modern cars have many electronic sensors that monitor various systems in the vehicle. These sensors provide vital information to the car's computer, allowing it to make adjustments that ensure your car runs smoothly.
However, these sensors can fail over time, and when they do, they need to be replaced. Buying used electronic sensors is not a good idea because there's no way of knowing how long they will last.
It's also essential to note that electronic sensors are often expensive to replace, so you might think you're saving money buying used auto parts, but you could end up spending more in the long run. Additionally, used sensors could also be damaged, and installing them could lead to more significant problems with your vehicle.
In conclusion, buying used auto parts can be an excellent way to save money, but there are some parts that you should always buy brand new. These auto parts include tires, shock absorbers, struts, seals, engine mounts, safety belts, brake parts, airbags, and electronic sensors. When it comes to your car's safety, it's always best to invest in brand-new parts to ensure that they function correctly and can protect you in the event of an accident.
Cheap auto parts can save money now; the previously mentioned auto parts are imperative you buy them new.
Parts you can always buy used
While we emphasize on using new parts for the most critical components in your vehicle, there are other parts that you should be buying used; they save you money and will not make a significant impact on your safety or your vehicle's maneuverability. Parts like mirrors, interior parts like seats, power locks, steering wheel, and body parts like fenders, hoods, headlights, tail lights, and turning lights.
Buying used car parts could make or break your budget; the cost of some parts and the function they serve could outweigh the risk of buying them used. Look for places that offer quality used parts, warranty, and low prices.