Alternators work with a car’s battery and voltage regulator to generate power for your car’s internal components, like the lights and the dashboard panel. Like any car part, an alternator can break or occasionally needs to be replaced.
Because the alternator helps charge the battery and provide power to the car, a broken alternator can be an emergency, draining your battery and leaving you stranded!
Buying a brand new replacement alternator is expensive – but there are lots of places you buy used alternators online! In addition to being a better deal, used car parts are also safer for the environment, since they’re recycled instead of manufactured new.
If you are looking for a used alternator, check out one of these websites:
Top 14 Websites That Sell Used Alternators
1. UsedPart.us
UsedPart.us lets you search for used and recycled auto parts from all over the US and Canada. With their extensive search system that connects to over eighteen thousand junkyards, you can look specifically for used alternators or search for any other auto part that you’re looking for.
You can also search by type of car using their list of automotive makes and models. If you’d prefer to go in person to look at a used alternator, UsedPart.us also lets you search for junkyards by location.
Quality is a guarantee at UsedPart.us since all their parts are tested for quality and reliability. You can also feel good about purchasing through UsedPart.us because they only work with suppliers who are part of the American Recyclers Association!
2. Chuck and Eddies
Chuck and Eddie have a 50-acre lot in Connecticut where they pull the best-used car parts to sell online. Thanks to their well-organized website, you can search for parts by year, make, and model.
If this is your first time shopping for recycled car parts, or just want extra help finding the perfect used alternator for your automotive project, they have a “Live Help” button where you can talk to an operator and get expert guidance on your search.
Want a more portable, high-tech way to find and order used car parts online? Chuck and Eddie also have a mobile app for iPhones and Android devices that lets you access their inventory and shop for parts on your smartphone or tablet! The app also sends out exclusive notifications about deals and special offers just for mobile app users.
3. Parts Market
Need your used alternator quickly? San Francisco based seller Parts Market offers next day delivery from their selection of used auto parts, meaning that you won’t be stuck for long.
On their simple, easy to use the website, you can search by make and model – or, if you know exactly what part you need to replace, you can also search by part number.
With over seven million parts in their searchable inventory, Parts Market can always help you find what you’re looking for. Parts Market also provides professional services to mechanics through their Jupiter Parts Pro offering. If the pros use it, you know it’s good!
4. U Need A Part
This website knows exactly what you need – you need a part! Simply named and simply put, U Need A Part offers used and refurbished parts for cars, trucks, and even motorcycles.
Get that personal touch when you fill out their “parts request” form, and one of their expert parts locators will find you exactly what you’re looking for, complete with multiple price quotes that let you comparison shop across multiple suppliers.
U Need A Part is a member of the Automotive Recyclers Association and only sells OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, which ensures that anything you order through them will be high quality and reliable. Interested in a more quirky twist on used car parts? U Need A Part also partners with a junkyard artist who makes paintings, prints, and even t-shirts!
5. Tom’s Foreign Auto Parts
Are you looking for a used alternator specifically for a foreign car? Find your part at Tom’s Foreign Auto Parts.
In business for over 30 years, Tom’s Foreign Auto Parts employs a team of skilled mechanics that recycles and refurbishes parts from foreign cars.
Tom’s Foreign Auto Parts isn’t a junkyard – it’s a “state of the art auto recycling facility.” All of their parts are stored indoors to maintain quality and operability, and come with a six-month guarantee from the time of purchase.
Transparency is key at Tom’s Foreign Auto Parts. The film and narrate videos of every dismantling and take at least three photos of each part, so you can really see what you’re getting even when you order online.
6. Grade Parts
If you were hoping for some extra help when it comes to finding and selecting a used alternator online, Grade Parts is the place for you!
Grade Parts offers an online chat service, plus two phone numbers that let you speak to a warehouse mechanic who can help you find the right part for the right part, or a yard mechanic who can provide free shipping and handling!
Want to do it yourself? You can also search their website for the part you’re looking for. If you want to see a part in person before you buy, their website also includes a junkyard locator, so you can find a part near you. All parts sold through Grade Parts are OEM and certified for quality and reliability.
7. Car-Part.com
What makes Car-Part.com unique is that they were co-founded by someone who knows used auto parts and someone with experience in website development and internet technology.
This means that their powerful website is able to search for used car parts in the inventory
management systems of even more body shops and repair facilities, helping you find exactly what you’re looking for with no extra fuss.
Car-Part.com was the first online car parts marketplace to employ this type of system, and they’ve been online since 1998! If you want a high-tech, comprehensive searching system, definitely check out Car-Part.com.
8. Pull A Part
Pull A Part updates their used car parts inventory every week, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for right away, you can always check back in a few days.
And if you’re tired of price shopping and quote comparisons, their auto parts pricing structure keeps things super simple. Each specific part is priced exactly the same no matter what make, model, or year car it comes from.
Buying more than one used alternator? Pull A Part has a VIP program that lets you keep track of your purchases and save money. VIP membership will also let you quickly see all current warranties you have on parts you’ve bought through Pull A Part, and provides discounted admission to their in-person shopping experience.
9. Morrison’s Auto Parts
Although they’re based in Wisconsin, Morrison’s Auto Parts ships parts anywhere, including Alaska, Hawaii, and countries outside the United States. Most parts can be shipped with free ground shipping, but there are other options if you live far from Wisconsin or need a part quickly.
Morrison’s Auto Parts also has a website with a high tech twist – a virtual garage! When you use their system to search for a specific car by make, model, and year, that car will be added to your online “garage” on their website, making it easier to find exactly what you need for your car.
10. Parts Hotlines
Parts Hotlines is a simple, streamlined used auto parts website that lets you quickly search the inventories of hundreds of auto salvage yards across the country for the exact part you need.
Once you’ve found it, you’ll speak to a live parts expert who can help connect you to the warehouse or junkyard selling the item you’re looking for at an excellent price. All their parts are quality tested and come with warranties that guarantee you’ll be back on the road in no time!
The Parts Hotlines website includes plenty of positive reviews from people who have successfully used Parts Hotlines to source parts for their automotive project, so you know they’ve got great service and reliable parts.
11. A-Abco Used Auto Parts
Based in Minnesota, A-Abco Used Auto Parts lets you purchase used parts online and will ship your order anywhere you need.
Their rigorous, detailed process for testing and assessing used car parts ensures that anything you order through them will be just what you need for your automotive project.
Buying used car parts is much better for the environment than manufacturing and purchasing brand new parts, and A-Abco Used Auto Parts is committed to keeping things as “green” as possible.
Their method of cleaning and testing used parts uses only a fraction of the energy and materials needed to produce a new part.
12. RockAuto
RockAuto has an extensive inventory, which you can search by make and model or by part number. If you’re searching by make and model, don’t get overwhelmed by their long and exhaustive list of car manufacturers – the most common ones, like Acura and Ford, are bolded in the index, making them easy to find.
RockAuto is online-only, which keeps their costs down and ensures that you get a quick and helpful service from their dedicated team. They also provide a “ Repair Index Calculator ” to help you compare prices and understand the cost of your specific automotive repair project.
13. Parts Geek
Parts Geek is a massive online warehouse for both imported and domestic car parts, with millions of items in their searchable inventory.
They offer wholesale prices, which take up to 80% off the price you’d find for a similar used auto part at an in-person shop or local junkyard.
All of their parts come with a 30-day return policy, so you can try out apart and make sure it’s exactly what you need.
Parts Geek lives up to their “geeky” name by having a powerful website that lets you browse by popular or alphabetized parts, or search by part number or make and model of car. No matter what you’re looking for, or how you want to look for it, Parts Geek has you covered.
14. My Auto Part Repair
My Auto Part Repair provides both new and used parts for cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Not only are all their parts quality tested, but they also come with their original paperwork, so you can see and keep track of their certification.
For those working on newer cars or needing more recent model parts, My Auto Part Repair is perfect – they specialize in late model parts.
If you want extra help, My Auto Part Repair has a live chat feature where you can get personalized support for your used part search. After you find what you’re looking for, their 30
day return policy ensures that you’ll be able to try and test anything you purchase from them with no risk.
Buying Used Alternators Online
Whether you’re planning to replace your alternator yourself or hire someone else to install the used part, finding a used alternator online is a great way to save money and quickly and easily get what you need.
As you can see, there are plenty of options for finding used alternators online, from smaller family-run websites to massive inventories.
No matter what website you choose, make sure you understand the return policy, shipping cost, and any certifications or warranties provided for the part you’re ordering. Most of these online suppliers offer phone numbers or chat options that let you ask questions, so don’t be shy!