"Used Auto Parts Pricing Guide — What Salvage Parts Cost in 2026"

What used parts actually cost

A used 2018 Toyota Camry transmission runs $400 to $900. A front bumper for a 2020 Honda CR-V goes for $80 to $250. Those ranges depend on where you buy, what condition you need, and how common the vehicle is in your region.

This guide covers real price ranges for the parts dismantlers and buyers trade most often. We pulled these categories from [the most-requested parts](/blog/market/most-requested-used-auto-parts) on the Hotline HQ network. If you want to understand how yards find and price these parts in real time, read our guide on [how auto parts hotlines work](/blog/guides/how-auto-parts-hotlines-work).

Every price range below reflects 2026 market conditions at US salvage yards. Prices shift by region, vehicle popularity, and seasonal demand. These aren't retail prices for consumers — they're yard-to-yard and yard-to-customer numbers.

Pricing by part category

Engines — $500 to $3,000

The biggest ticket item in any yard. A 4-cylinder engine from a 2015 Honda Civic or 2017 Toyota Corolla typically runs $500 to $1,200. V6 engines from mid-size trucks land between $800 and $2,000. V8s from full-size trucks and performance vehicles push toward $3,000.

Mileage matters here. An engine with 60,000 miles commands a premium over one with 150,000. Most full-service yards run compression tests and include a limited warranty. Self-service yards sell engines as-is — cheaper, but you're rolling the dice.

Transmissions — $300 to $1,500

Automatic transmissions cost more than manuals across the board. A common automatic from a 2016 Ford F-150 runs $500 to $1,200. Manual transmissions from sedans like the Civic or Corolla sit at $300 to $700. CVTs from Nissan and Subaru fall in the $400 to $1,000 range.

Transmissions are heavy. If you're buying online, expect $100 to $200 in shipping on top of the part price.

Bumpers — $50 to $300

The single [most-requested part](/blog/market/most-requested-used-auto-parts) on the Hotline HQ network. Front bumpers run slightly higher than rears because they take more impact damage and get replaced more often. A painted, undamaged front bumper for a 2019 Honda Accord goes for $150 to $250 at a full-service yard. Self-service yards sell unpainted bumper covers for $50 to $100.

Doors — $100 to $500

Price depends heavily on whether the door comes complete (glass, mirror, handle, regulator) or as a shell. A complete door for a 2017 Toyota Camry runs $250 to $500. Shells without glass or hardware sit at $100 to $200. Color match matters — a door in the right color saves the buyer a paint job.

Fenders — $50 to $250

Fenders are high-demand, low-weight parts. A steel fender for a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado runs $75 to $200. Aluminum fenders from luxury vehicles like BMW or Mercedes push higher, $150 to $250. Self-service yards often have fenders in the $50 to $100 range.

Headlights — $50 to $300

Halogen headlight assemblies from common vehicles run $50 to $120. LED and HID assemblies cost more — a 2019 Toyota RAV4 LED headlight goes for $150 to $300. Projector-style assemblies with adaptive features sit at the top of the range. Condition is everything here. Hazed or cracked lenses drop the value significantly.

AC Compressors — $80 to $400

A used AC compressor for a 2016 Ford Escape runs $80 to $200. Compressors from luxury vehicles and trucks push to $250 to $400. Most buyers want a tested unit. Yards that bench-test compressors before selling get a premium.

Starters — $30 to $150

Starters are small, easy to ship, and always in demand. Most common starters run $30 to $80. Truck and SUV starters push to $100 to $150. This is one of the easier parts to sell online because shipping costs stay low.

Alternators — $40 to $200

Similar to starters — compact, shippable, steady demand. A used alternator for a 2018 Nissan Altima runs $40 to $100. Heavy-duty alternators from diesel trucks hit $120 to $200. Remanufactured units often compete on price in this category.

Hoods, Taillights, and Airbags

Hoods run $100 to $400 depending on material (steel vs. aluminum) and condition. Taillights sit at $30 to $200 — LED taillights from newer vehicles command the premium. Airbag modules range $50 to $350, but regulations around airbag sales vary by state. Check your local rules before stocking them for resale.

How prices change by where you buy

Self-service / pull-a-part yards

The cheapest option. You walk the yard, find the vehicle, pull the part yourself. Prices run 30-50% below full-service yards. The trade-off: no warranty, no quality check, and you need tools and time. Good for body panels, trim, interior parts, and anything you can inspect visually.

Full-service salvage yards

Mid-range pricing. The yard pulls the part, inspects it, and often offers a 30 to 90-day warranty. A tested engine from a full-service yard costs more than one you yanked from a row yourself — but you know it runs. This is where most yard-to-yard sales happen on the [auto parts hotline](/blog/guides/how-auto-parts-hotlines-work) network.

Online marketplaces

Prices vary widely. eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and dedicated auto parts sites add overhead — seller fees, photography time, listing management, and shipping. A bumper that sells for $150 at a yard might list for $200 to $280 online after the seller factors in platform fees and packaging. Shipping on large parts adds $50 to $200.

Full price comparison table

All prices in USD. Ranges reflect common domestic and import vehicles (2014-2022 model years).

What drives the price up or down

Year, make, and model

Newer vehicles cost more. A 2022 part commands a premium over a 2015 part from the same model. Luxury and performance vehicles — BMW, Mercedes, Audi — run 40-60% higher than domestic equivalents. Common vehicles like the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and Ford F-150 sit at the lowest prices because supply is abundant.

Condition

Tested parts cost more than as-is parts. An engine with a compression test report and 30-day warranty sells for 20-40% more than the same engine sold untested. For body panels, paint condition matters — a color-matched fender saves the buyer $200-$400 in paint work.

Supply and demand

Regional factors play a huge role. Truck parts cost less in Texas where pickups are everywhere. Import parts cost less in California where Honda and Toyota dominate. When a popular model gets discontinued or recalled, parts prices spike temporarily as supply drops.

Seasonal patterns

AC compressors peak in spring and summer. Heater cores and starters see higher demand in fall and winter. Body panels spike after storm seasons in hail-prone regions. Yards that time their pricing to seasonal demand capture higher margins.

How to check real prices right now

Static pricing guides go stale. The best way to see what parts are actually trading for is to watch live demand.

On the [Hotline HQ marketplace](/marketplace), you can see real part requests coming in from yards across the country. These aren't listed prices — they're actual requests from buyers actively looking for specific parts. That gives you a ground-truth view of what the market wants and what it's willing to pay.

If you're a yard owner trying to price your inventory, watching live requests tells you more than any pricing guide. You see which parts get requested five times a day (bumpers, transmissions) and which sit quiet. You see which makes and models drive the most demand. That's how you price to sell — based on what buyers are actually asking for right now.

Check the [Hotline HQ marketplace](/marketplace) to see live requests and real pricing activity from the network.