LKQ Corporation is the largest supplier of aftermarket auto parts in North America

LKQ Corporation is a publicly traded company that buys, dismantles, and sells used vehicle parts. It operates junkyards across the United States, Canada, and Mexico under brand names you may recognize — including LKQ, Keystone, and Sensormatic — and also sells new aftermarket parts (parts made by manufacturers other than the original carmaker). When you need a used door panel, engine block, or transmission from a wrecked vehicle, there is a good chance LKQ either has it in inventory or can locate it for you through its network.

LKQ does not sell directly to individual consumers the way a small local junkyard might. Instead, it sells primarily to auto repair shops, collision repair centers, and dealerships. If you need a used part, you would typically contact a repair shop, and that shop would order from LKQ or another supplier. However, understanding how LKQ operates helps explain how the used parts market works and why certain parts are easier or harder to find.

Key Takeaways

  • LKQ is a large corporation that supplies used and aftermarket parts to repair shops and dealerships, not directly to individual car owners.
  • The company operates hundreds of locations across North America, each pulling parts from wrecked vehicles and cataloging them in a shared inventory system.
  • When a repair shop orders a part from LKQ, the company can often locate it quickly across its network of junkyards.
  • LKQ also sells new aftermarket parts alongside used parts, giving repair shops options for cost and availability.

How LKQ's junkyard network operates

LKQ owns and operates hundreds of locations across North America. Each location receives wrecked and end-of-life vehicles, dismantles them, and catalogs the usable parts into a shared computer system. When a repair shop needs a specific part — say, a 2018 Honda Civic right front fender — the shop can search LKQ's system to see which locations have that part in stock.

This networked approach is what makes LKQ different from a single independent junkyard. A small local yard might have 50 vehicles on the lot; an LKQ location might have hundreds, and the shop can search across dozens of LKQ yards at once. If the part is not at the nearest location, LKQ can ship it from another yard, usually within a few days.

The company also handles the logistics of receiving vehicles, inspecting them for salvageable parts, removing hazardous materials, and recycling the metal frame. This is a capital-intensive operation — it requires land, equipment, trained staff, and environmental compliance. That scale is why LKQ can operate at a lower cost per part than many smaller yards.

The difference between used parts and aftermarket parts

LKQ sells two categories of parts: used parts (pulled from wrecked vehicles) and aftermarket parts (new parts made by third-party manufacturers). A repair shop might choose a used part because it is cheaper, or an aftermarket part because it is new and comes with a warranty, or an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part because it matches the vehicle exactly.

Used parts are typically less expensive than new ones, but they carry the wear of the original vehicle. A used transmission might have 80,000 miles on it. An aftermarket transmission is new but may not fit or perform identically to the original. An OEM part is the most expensive but is may provide to match the original specifications.

LKQ's role is to offer all three options to repair shops. The shop then decides what to recommend to the customer based on the repair cost, the vehicle's age, and the customer's budget.

Why repair shops use LKQ instead of independent yards

A repair shop could call ten independent junkyards looking for a part, or it could log into LKQ's system and search hundreds of yards at once. The time savings alone make LKQ attractive. Additionally, LKQ offers standardized pricing, consistent quality control, and the ability to ship parts quickly across a wide geographic area.

Independent yards still exist and thrive, especially for older vehicles or hard-to-find parts. But for common vehicles and common parts, LKQ's scale and efficiency have made it the dominant supplier. This means that when you take your car to a repair shop, there is a high probability that any used parts in your repair came from an LKQ yard.

How LKQ affects the cost of your repair

When a repair shop sources a used part from LKQ, the shop buys it at wholesale and marks it up to cover labor, overhead, and profit. The markup varies by shop and by part, but using a used part instead of a new one typically saves the customer 30 to 60 percent on the part cost alone. That savings is passed along (at least partially) to you.

LKQ's efficiency also helps keep prices down. Because the company can locate and ship parts quickly and at scale, the cost per part is lower than it would be if the shop had to search multiple independent yards or wait weeks for a part to arrive. Lower wholesale costs mean lower retail prices for customers.

LKQ's environmental and recycling role

Beyond parts sales, LKQ operates a significant recycling business. When a vehicle is dismantled, the metal frame, aluminum, copper, and other materials are separated and sold to recyclers. Fluids like oil, coolant, and refrigerant are drained and disposed of safely. This process keeps hazardous materials out of landfills and recovers valuable materials that would otherwise be wasted.

LKQ is required to comply with environmental regulations in every state and country where it operates. These regulations cover fluid disposal, air emissions, stormwater runoff, and hazardous waste handling. The cost of compliance is built into the company's operating expenses and, indirectly, into the price of parts.

What to know if you are dealing with an LKQ location directly

Most consumers never interact with LKQ directly — you go through a repair shop. However, some LKQ locations do sell to the public, and some independent junkyards operate under the LKQ brand after being acquired. If you visit a location in person, you will typically need to know the year, make, and model of the vehicle you are looking for parts from, and the specific part you need.

Policies vary by location. Some yards allow you to walk the lot and pull your own parts; others require staff to retrieve parts for you. Prices are usually lower if you pull the part yourself, because the yard saves labor. Many locations require a refund or exchange policy — if the part does not fit or does not work, you may be able to return it within a certain window.

If you are buying a used part directly, inspect it carefully before leaving. Ask about the return policy in writing. Used parts do not typically come with warranties, though some shops or yards may offer a short may provide on mechanical parts like engines or transmissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy parts directly from LKQ as an individual?

Most LKQ locations sell to repair shops and dealers, not to the public. However, some locations do sell to individuals, and policies vary. Call ahead to ask if the location near you sells retail. If not, you can contact a local repair shop and ask them to source the part for you through their LKQ account.

How long does it take to get a part from LKQ?

If the part is in stock at a nearby location, a repair shop can usually pick it up the same day or next day. If the part must be shipped from another yard, it typically arrives within three to five business days. Shipping time depends on distance and the yard's shipping schedule.

Do used parts from LKQ come with a warranty?

Used parts typically do not come with a manufacturer warranty, because they are not new. However, the repair shop that installs the part may offer a labor warranty (covering the installation work) or a short parts warranty (covering defects). Ask your repair shop what warranty, if any, applies to the used part.

Is a used part from LKQ as reliable as a new part?

Reliability depends on the specific part and its condition. A used engine with 80,000 miles may run reliably for another 100,000 miles, or it may fail sooner. A used door panel or fender is purely cosmetic and carries no reliability risk. Ask the repair shop about the condition and mileage of the used part before agreeing to the repair.

What happens to vehicles that are too damaged to sell parts from?

After usable parts are removed, the metal frame and other materials are sold to recyclers. Hazardous fluids are drained and disposed of according to environmental regulations. The recycling process recovers valuable materials and keeps waste out of landfills.