Used Lawn Mower Parts – To Buy Or Not To Buy

You’re in the middle of mowing your yard, it feels like it’s a thousand degrees outside and suddenly your mower dies. You investigate, trying to find the source of the problem and discover that a part of your mower’s engine has gone out. Does this sound familiar? Maybe you have found yourself in this situation debating whether or not to spring for a new part or just find a place that sells cheap used lawn mower partsinstead.

Any time you consider purchasing used parts, you should weigh your options and do some research before you make your final decision.

The first thing to determine when shopping for used lawn mower parts is exactly how “used” the part is. If it’s in great condition, barely used, and the price is right, then there’s no reason not to buy. Although, it can be hard to determine whether or not a part is in good condition if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid used lawn mower parts that are rusty, broken, missing pieces, or that appear to be damaged in any way. If a salesman tells you a (damaged) used part is still in great working condition, but your gut tells you otherwise, go with your guy. It’s always hard to tell whether a salesman is honest or not (unless you know them personally.)

Next, look for recognizable brand names. Even though off-brand parts may look as good as new, it doesn’t mean that they even work. You know that quality brand names like John Deere, Husqvarna, Craftsman, etc. are going to hold up for a long time. That’s why these brand names are so recognizable; people know that they’re reliable.

Remember, even though some used lawn mower partsmay cost you a lot less up front, they could wind up costing you more in the long haul. Really weigh your options and consider the price of two used parts versus one new one. Why? If there’s only a small price difference in a used part versus a new one, go with the new one. After all, you may wind up having to buy a second used part if the first doesn’t work.