# Car parts - used or new? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 8, 2015, 8:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-parts-used-or-new/90541 "2015-07-08T08:49:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2015, 8:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-parts-used-or-new/90541/1 "2015-07-08T08:49:05Z")
I am repairing a 2001 Kia Sephia for my daughter to learn to drive in. It was my mother-in-laws, and we bought it from her and drove it until having to replace the timing belt this past December at 150,000 miles. The A/C compressor went out at the end of last summer, in that the front seals are gone and leak out the freon. I was looking at replacing the compressor and then I came across a quirk. I know growing up, I would go to the local parts yard or salvage yard and get a used compressor and not think anything of it. I was looking online and see where I can get one at a fraction of the cost for used, around $50 shipped to me, or pay $100 or more for a newer one. I guess it may all be in my head as I have gotten older, but wouldn’t a used part work just as well as a new one, like it used to when I did it 20 plus years ago? I know it’s used, but I am only looking to get the item working for a few years, and not a lifetime. I guess what I am asking, what is the recommendation, get the used one or spend the extra money for peace of mind? ---
**Author:** ![wesw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wesw/32/2713_2.png) [@wesw](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wesw)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2015, 9:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-parts-used-or-new/90541/2 "2015-07-08T09:01:04Z")
I m not really sure about how a used compressor would fare, but some of the real mechanics here will. as far as used parts in general I believe that a good used factory part is sometimes superior to an after market part. I have a '75 ford truck and buying a cheap parts truck was one of the most fiscally sound decisions I ever made. perhaps you can find a parts car for yours if you plan on keeping it running for a while. I don t know much about kias, or if some thing structural only lasts 15 yrs or anything. just a thought… ---
**Author:** ![Manolito](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/manolito/32/3070_2.png) [@Manolito](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Manolito)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2015, 9:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-parts-used-or-new/90541/3 "2015-07-08T09:04:14Z")
Parts that are not subject to wear (a fender, a side window glass) are always prime candidates for a junk yard part. Parts that are subject to wear and cost a lot to install (pistons, suspension parts) are never candidates for a junk yard part. You should be looking at $200 to $300 for a new compressor for that car. Whether it is worth it to risk putting in a $50 junk yard part depends on whether it is you or a professional putting it in and whether you will be replacing the other parts that should be done at the same time. If you have a vacuum pump and plan on putting it in quick and dirty, then the $200 you can save on a junk yard compressor may be a good idea. If you are paying someone $500 in labor to do the job, definitely get a new one. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2015, 9:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-parts-used-or-new/90541/4 "2015-07-08T09:21:24Z")
Given the age and the purpose of the car I wonder why you’re repairing the A/C at all. Do you live in Arizona? The problem with a used compressor is you don’t know if or how well it works. And a compressor that grenades itself after you install it can foul the rest of your A/C system in no time. If you can get a compressor off of a parts car that still has the refrigerant charge in it I might try that. Otherwise I would buy new. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2015, 9:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-parts-used-or-new/90541/5 "2015-07-08T09:28:08Z")
So you plan on replacing a 14 year old AC compressor with one that is probably just as old . . . It doesn’t make sense to me Install a new one, and it’ll probably last several years, at which point it’s time for another car, anyways ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2015, 9:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-parts-used-or-new/90541/6 "2015-07-08T09:48:20Z")
Yeah I agree. I’ve never had any luck with used ones. The problem is the compressor is only a fraction of the total cost. Time you get done replacing the dryer, flushing the system, recharging, etc. its just too risky for a used one if it blows up. A used alternator no big deal, but a compressor is expensive to put in. ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-parts-used-or-new/90541/7 "2015-07-08T14:48:03Z")
I would be more inclined to see if an AC shop,would replace the seals in your present compressor, ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-parts-used-or-new/90541/8 "2015-07-08T16:11:26Z")
I’m in agreement with **Manolito** here because some parts should never be bought used for a variety of reasons.