This is the time that every car owner dreads. You’re in the clean waiting room of a mechanic’s shop, where you can smell oil and coolant in the air. The mechanic comes in with a clipboard and a look on their face that says everything before they even say anything. The worst news is, “I’m sorry, but your engine is gone.”
The words hit you like a punch. Your mind starts racing right away, full of worries and questions that make you feel dizzy. How will I get to my job? How will I get the kids to school? And the most important and scary question of all: How much is this going to cost?
You’re now at a scary crossroads with three possible paths, none of which look good.
Buy a new crate engine: This is the best way to be sure, but it costs so much that it might be more than the car is worth.
Rebuild the engine you already have: It’s a good idea, but it takes a lot of time and money, and the cost of labour can go up as your mechanic finds more problems during the teardown.
This is an interesting choice: buy a used engine. It costs a small amount compared to a new engine, and it is much faster than rebuilding. But it comes with a lot of uncertainty. Is it trustworthy? How do you know you’re not just buying someone else’s issue?
It’s a big deal. We have helped thousands of customers through this exact situation at WA Auto Parts, where we have been Perth’s top used auto parts store for more than 15 years. We’re here to tell you that buying a used engine can be a great way to save money. But—and this is a very important “but”—it’s only a good idea if you know what the benefits are, what the risks are, and how to pick the right one. This is your full guide.
The Good Side: The Main Benefits of Buying a Used Engine
Let’s talk about why so many drivers in Perth like this choice so much. The benefits are big and go beyond just the first cost.

The first benefit is the huge savings.
Without a doubt, this is the main reason people think about buying a used engine. A used engine that has been tested and is in good condition can cost 50–75% less than a new one. That makes a huge difference for a family budget. It could be the difference between being able to keep your reliable family car on the road and having to get a new car loan that you weren’t ready for. This saving turns a catastrophic failure into a problem that can be handled, not a financial disaster.
Advantage #2: Real OEM Quality and Compatibility
A used engine is not a cheap knockoff; it is a real Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part. Toyota, Ford, BMW, or Holden made it just for your car model. This is a big plus. It means that the engine block, the mounting points, and all the complicated connections will fit perfectly. More importantly, it is made to work perfectly with your car’s existing computer (ECU) and electronic systems. This means you won’t have to deal with the annoying and hard-to-diagnose compatibility problems that can happen with non-genuine parts.
Third benefit: speed and ease
If your car breaks down, your life is put on hold. Ordering parts and doing the delicate, time-consuming work can take weeks for a full engine rebuild. But changing an engine is a lot faster. A good mechanic can find and install a used engine in just a few days. This cuts down on labour costs by a lot, and more importantly, it gets you back behind the wheel and back to your normal life much, much sooner.
The fourth benefit is that it helps the environment.
Choosing a used engine is the best way to recycle in a world where we all want to be more aware of how our actions affect the environment. Making a new engine requires a huge amount of energy, raw materials, and water. You are keeping a perfectly good engine out of a landfill and saving the huge environmental impact of making a new one by giving it a second life.
The Important Part: Knowing and Dealing with the Risks
You need to see the whole picture in order to make an informed choice. You should be aware of the risks that come with buying a used engine for a lower price, and you should know how to avoid them.
Risk #1: Not knowing the past
Most buyers are most afraid of this. How did the previous owner take care of the engine? Was it well cared for with regular oil changes, or was it left to rot? Was it driven carefully, or did it always go as fast as it could? You are going into the unknown without a service history.
Risk #2: Possible damage that isn’t obvious on the outside
A car’s engine may look great on the outside, but it could be a ticking time bomb on the inside. You can’t see problems like worn bearings from not getting enough oil, sludge building up in oil passages or tiny cracks from overheating with just a visual inspection.

Risk #3: The Warranty Bet
When you buy an engine from a private seller on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace, you are buying it “as is.” Once you pay, the risk is all yours. You can’t do anything if it breaks down a week later. This is the biggest financial risk in the whole process.
Risk #4: Problems with compatibility
Manufacturers can make small changes to the same car model from year to year. There could be a different sensor, a different wiring harness plug, or an extra part that doesn’t fit. These small differences can lead to big problems and costs that weren’t planned for during the installation.
How to Buy a Used Engine with Confidence: The Smart Buyer’s Checklist
It might seem scary to read the risks above, but don’t give up. By following one simple rule—doing your homework—you can greatly lower or even get rid of all of these risks. This is your list of things to do to buy a used engine with confidence.
The first rule is that your source is everything. Get your parts from a reliable wrecker. This is the most important choice you will have to make. A private seller is very different from a professional auto parts supplier. WA Auto Parts has a reputation to protect, a real address in Perth, and more than 15 years of experience. We are responsible for the things we sell. Find a supplier with a professional inventory system, good reviews online, and a team you can call at (08) 9358 1392 to talk to.
Rule #2: Find out what happened to the engine. A full logbook is rare, but a professional wrecker can almost always give you important details like the mileage and VIN of the car that was donated. A lower-mileage engine is always a better choice and a sign that it will last longer.
Rule #3: You can’t change your mind about a warranty. A warranty shows that the supplier trusts their own product. It puts the risk back on them. Get the warranty terms in writing before you buy. How long does the coverage last? For example, three to six months? Does it cover the part itself and any work that needs to be done? Don’t buy a used engine unless it comes with a warranty. That’s it.
Rule #4: Look at everything very carefully. You don’t have to be a mechanic to look for clear signs of trouble. If you see a milky, sludgy residue on the oil filler cap, the head gasket may be blown. Check the block and head for any cracks that you can see. Make sure the oil on the dipstick doesn’t look like metallic glitter and is clean.
Request a Compression or Leak-Down Test as
Rule #5. These tests are like a check-up for the parts inside an engine. A compression test checks the health of the piston rings and valves by checking how well the cylinders are sealed. A good supplier should have this information on hand or be able to do the test for you. It’s the best way to see what’s going on inside the engine.

The Verdict: Are Used Engines a Good Idea?
We can answer the question now that we’ve thought about the big benefits and the very real risks.
Yes, buying a used engine is often a good idea. For many drivers who are about to have a catastrophic failure, it is the best option in terms of logic, cost, and speed.
That answer is only a good one if you buy a tested, guaranteed engine from a reliable, professional source to lower the risks.
When you work with a company like WA Auto Parts, you turn a risky bet into a smart investment. You save a lot of money without having to stay up all night. You get the quality and compatibility of a real OEM part, plus our years of experience and a strong warranty.
Don’t make this tough choice by yourself.
Call WA Auto Parts at (08) 9358 1392 to talk to one of our experts. We’ll help you find the right engine for your car and give you the peace of mind you need.



You have options when your Honda needs a new part. But we think that when you think about the pros and cons, the choice is clear. Our business is based on being the best option for Honda owners in Perth.
































