Used Engine Dealers and Cheap Transmissions: How to Get Both Under $500

Finding a used engine dealer and cheap transmission in a big used auto part market is a real hard task. This guide post will give a quick step by step guide to find Used engine dealers.

Then, in between we answer the most asked question by the car owners “can I get used Engine & transmission under $500”. After that a purchasing guide of one of the trusted used auto parts dealers online.

How to Find Cheap Used Engines & Transmissions Dealers?

Know exactly what you need

Don’t just say “I need a transmission.” Write down the year, make, model, engine type, transmission code if you can find it. Dealers aren’t psychic. The more precise you are, the less you get screwed over with mismatched parts or overpriced junk.

Hit the local junkyards first

Go there. Walk around. Ask if they have your engine or transmission. A lot of times, the stuff isn’t listed online, so calling is useless. You might have to haggle, which is fun if you like that kind of stress.

Check online salvage yards

Filter by distance, condition, and price. Don’t just click the first listing. Compare, call, negotiate. And yes, ask if they’ll ship — sometimes it’s cheaper than driving there yourself.

Facebook Marketplace & local buy/sell groups

Tons of people selling engines off cars they scrapped. You can get lucky with a deal if you hit up local groups. Just check the seller’s credibility. Don’t hand over cash for a Craigslist ghost.

Ask around in repair shops or forums

Mechanics often know people who have parts lying around. Sometimes, someone has an engine sitting in their garage that they’ll sell for next to nothing.

Compare prices and condition

Cheap is good, but check condition. Ask about mileage, leaks, rust, accident history. Even a $200 engine is not worth it if it dies in two weeks. If possible, see it in person or get pics of serial numbers and actual condition.

Negotiate hard

Most of these guys expect haggling. Don’t be shy. Point out flaws, shipping costs, whatever. You’ll get at least 10-20% off if you push a bit.

Plan transport carefully

Engines and transmissions are heavy. If you’re buying online, make sure you have a plan. Some places will quote shipping; some expect you to haul it yourself. Factor that into your total cost.

Keep receipts and verify warranties

Some places give short-term warranties, some don’t. Keep everything in writing. This is crucial if your “cheap” engine turns into a paperweight.

Can I Get Used Engine & Transmission Under $500?

It’s possible, but only barely, and mostly in certain scenarios. Don’t expect something clean off a junkyard shelf that’s ready to drop in without any work. You’re going to have to hustle, compromise, and probably do a little elbow grease yourself.

First off, local junkyards or “auto recyclers” are your best bet. Hit up the smaller, independent yards, not the big chains—they’re usually overpriced. Be ready to dig. Like, actually look under the hoods, check for obvious rust, leaks, missing parts. Take your phone and snap pics, compare serial numbers, and know exactly what you need.

Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp—these places are hit-or-miss. Sometimes you find a guy who just wants a car gone and is dumping the whole drivetrain for cheap. Other times, it’s someone who thinks a $2000 engine is “a steal” because they just read it online. Learn to negotiate to get the used transmissions under $500. Be ready to walk away.

How to Purchase Used Auto Parts with Usedenginepart.com?

Go to the site and search

Pop over to UsedEnginePart.com. There’s a search bar right there. Type in your part name – “alternator,” “water pump,” whatever it is – and your car details. The more specific, the better. Otherwise, you’ll end up scrolling through a ton of junk.

Check the listings carefully

Every listing will usually show the condition, mileage, and sometimes photos. Look at those photos. If it’s just stock images, move on. You want something that looks real, not some placeholder. Check the seller info too – some have reviews, some don’t. Stick with sellers who actually answer questions.

Compare prices

Don’t just grab the first thing that pops up. Compare. Sometimes the same part is $50 cheaper from someone else. Factor in shipping too – some of these heavy engine parts can cost as much to ship as the part itself.

Ask questions if needed

If the listing is vague – and many are – hit up the seller. Ask stuff like: “Has this part ever been in an accident?” or “Any leaks or cracks?” Most sellers respond quickly. If they’re dodgy, skip them.

Add to cart and check out

Once you’ve decided, add it to your cart. Review your order. Double-check car details. Used parts aren’t usually returnable unless defective. Then check out. They usually take credit cards and PayPal. Some even offer financing, but honestly, for a used part, just pay upfront — it’s faster.

Bottom Lines

Finding a trusted and good reviewed used auto parts dealer is a hard task but with the help of the above provided guide you can easily get list of Used engine dealers online. Hope, you have found one and choose one to buy an auto part for your car.