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Why would I recommend a used engine instead of a new or remanufactured engine as the best choice when it comes to solving an engine failure. There is a large amount of evidence to support this claim.
Brian is the owner of GotEngines.com and when we talked about what people are purchasing the most from his company, he told me used engines, used transmissions and used parts in general. I’m not surprised either, in fact if I needed an engine for my ‘88 (that is right a 1988) GMC pickup, I would have one of the experts at GotEngines.com find me a low mileage used engine.

My arguments for used engines are as such. A low mileage used engine has some convincing features a new engine or reconditioned engine can not claim to have. The most attractive feature of a used engine is that we know it is broken in and runs well. Once an engine gets 20000 miles on it, you can feel fairly comfortable that there are not any factory defects in it. As a rule, most problems or defects in a product that is rebuilt or new show up almost immediately or soon after it goes into use. We all buy new products from a light bulb to a new washing machine that don’t work at all or work incorrectly from the factory. If these products are not manufactured properly, it shows soon after it is put in use.

Note: Every used engine or car part sold by GotEngines.com is pre-tested for a whole list of performance and reliability issues before they can be approved and shipped.

A used engine has experience going for it. The problem period is over, it made it 20000 or 30000 miles without any problems, that proves in essence that it was made properly. If you maintain it well, it will last a long time. I am a maintenance freak in terms of oil changes using synthetic oils, taking care of my transmission, lubricating anything lubricatable from door hinges to hood hinges and making sure my cooling system is in perfect operating order.

I’m an old ‘gearhead’, that means I have repaired and played with cars of every sort my whole life, preferring hot rods and the like mostly. I have never blown up an engine. While I have mellowed a lot over the years, it is my firm opinion that good maintenance and some luck is why I never suffered a “blown up” engine. Most engine failures come from lack of maintenance. The major systems to look at and renew are the radiator and cooling system, the exhaust system and catalytic converter and all the belts and hoses. Failure to do this may cause your fresh engine to fail. Of course, if you take it to a qualified auto repair shop, these items should be checked. In fact a check list is the best way to document everything.

This is not necessarily an economic issue, rebuilt and new engines can be purchased for very reasonable prices, I think the qualified consumers are doing their homework. If you own an older vehicle like me, it is easier to find good quality used engines than a new one or even a reconditioned engine, since older rides are not so popular or plentiful any more.

Many consumers get the right answers at the GotEngines.com Blog giving you plenty of options and helping make critical automotive decisions more understandable. In fact if you have a question, please ask me. I’m full of answers and information that I want to pass on to you. Leave a comment as well, we love your input.

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