FAQs

Yeah, prices swing a lot. A cheap used engine can mean half the cost of a rebuild or way less than new. It doesn’t always mean poor quality either. Sometimes yards just need to clear space, or the car was totaled with a low-mile engine still inside. Cheap doesn’t always equal bad, just check the warranty and ask questions.

If you’ve swapped engines before, have the tools, and know what you’re doing, you can do it in your garage. But most people are better off letting a shop handle it. It’s not just drop it in and go, there’s wiring, fluids, mounts, sometimes ECU stuff. The used engines themselves aren’t the hard part, it’s making sure the install is done right.

This is where VIN numbers and engine codes matter. Sellers should give you the exact code. You match it with your car. If it doesn’t line up, don’t buy it. A lot of people skip this and then end up with the wrong engine sitting on a pallet in their driveway.

These days, most come with some kind of warranty. Even 30 days is better than nothing. It’s a sign the seller trusts the motor. If a seller refuses any warranty at all, that’s a red flag. Not saying every warranty saves you, but it makes the risk a lot less scary.

Different thing. Used engines are pulled as-is, usually tested, then sold. Rebuilt engines are taken apart and new parts are installed. Rebuilt costs more. If you just need a solid motor to keep your car running without dropping big money, used engines make sense. If you want long-term and have extra budget, rebuilt could be better.

Yeah, that’s kind of the normal way now. Sites ship nationwide, sometimes even free freight. It used to be you had to call yards and pick it up yourself. Now you can order cheap used engines online and have them delivered to your mechanic or home. Just make sure the seller shows mileage and test results.