It is no mystery that most cars give out before their engines do. Transmissions and carburetors are culprits for more cars’ retirement than engine failure. But sometimes pistons break and engines stop working and it makes sense to replace them. Yet a transmission with 75+ thousands miles on it probably isn’t going to last all the mileage a new engine will get – and who really wants to replace an engine now and a transmission later?

The smart and more logical method to avoid overpaying for engine mileage that you’ll never use is to buy a reconditioned used engine. Used engines will suffice for most of the life of a car, but are far cheaper than new ones. Why so much cheaper? As I noted earlier, most cars kick the bucket before their engines do so discerning buyers can not only get great deals on them, but can also afford to be picky where quality is concerned.

For shoppers who value affordability and quality and don’t need all of the mileage that a new engine will get them, replacing a busted engine with an inspected and restored used one is a no-brainer. Used engines can cost less than half of their new counterparts and do exactly the same job. But as with any auto part purchase, buyer beware – not all mechanics will sell you the value you should be getting. Deal only with trusted sourcesfor parts – companies that specialize in sourcing and restoring used parts and have an established reputation that they need to protect by continuing to offer quality parts at competitive prices. In this way, you can have some assurance that you won’t be getting ripped off with a lemon that won’t require mechanical work within two weeks of getting it.

Also remember that a used engine is a somewhat depreciated part. As such, it is more expensive to warranty and more likely to exhibit normal wear & tear signs of depreciation much sooner than a new version. But since new engines are as reliable as they are, even a used engine is likely to outlast other important (and expensive) features of the vehicle that will ultimately require replacement. Indeed, tires, brakes, radiators, compressors, air conditioners, generators, spark plugs, fuel injectors, and transmissions are all greater threats to your car’s overall longevity where reliability is concerned.

By replacing your broken engine with a used one, you can extend the productivity of your car without making a new investment in rebuilding it one part at a time.