Are Junkyard Windshield Replacements Worth It?

Replacing your cracked or damaged windshield at the junkyard can certainly be worth it, if you are willing to spend some time looking for the right windshield and an equal amount of elbow grease installing it.

So here’s the deal: the good ol’ junkyard has the answer to all of life’s mysteries if you know where to look. Rumor has it that everything from Sasquach to the identity of D.B Cooper can be found in the junkyard if you know where to look.

More importantly, replacing your cracked or damaged windshield with a junkyard windshield can be worth it because it can save you a few hundred dollars.

Today in this article, we’re going to cover all the information you need to know including:

• Whether or not you want to replace your damaged windshield with one from a junkyard;
• The pros and cons of replacing your windshield yourself (especially as a first time DIYer)
• The information you’ll need to know ahead of time before you go to the junkyard;
• What you’ll need to actually replace your windshield;
• And a whole bunch of other stuff that’s probably more useful that our earlier attempts at humor.

Does that sound good?

Before You Rip Your Old Windshield Out, Check If It’s Covered Under Insurance

More likely than not, you are reading this article because your windshield got damaged and you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for a windshield replacement.

Quite frankly, we can’t blame you.

So before you spend money on a junkyard windshield replacement, you should check to see if your insurance covers your windshield replacement.

We actually wrote an article about whether or not your insurance covers your windshield replacement not too long ago.

From that article:

Check with your insurance company. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage or your windshield replacement isn’t covered for some reason, then and only then is it time to hit the junkyard.

First Things First, Junkyards DO Sell Windshields

As we mentioned earlier, junkyards sell a whole heck of a lot of things. One of those is windshields.

Right now, our autombiles are the #1 most recyled consumer product in the entire United States. Between 12-15 million vehicles a year are retired from active service, and many of them end up in salvage/junkyards.

Lucky for you, this means that you can get a great deal on a replacement windshield for your vehicle.

Some junkyards even offer shipping. For example, UsedPart.Us has a pretty decent selection of inventory from what we’ve seen.

Of course we reccomend checking with your local junkyard first, as most junkyards are small businesses that employ less than 10 people. Buy local first if you can, and if not, then look at a national retailer.

How Much Does Buying A Windshield At A Junkyard Cost?

Buying a windshield at a junkyard will cost you anywhere from $20-$60 dollars, with around $40 dollars being the average.

We went ahead and contacted several salvage yards in our area (Florida) about the price. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle you take the windshield from, we got prices all the way up to $60 dollars.

Depending on where you live, what it ends up costing you may be more or less than our estimate.

But we can say one thing for sure…

A Junkyard Windshield Replacement Costs A Whole Heck Of A Lot Less Than A New Windshield

According to glass.usa, the average windshield replacement runs somewhere between $210-$230 dollars, with a range anywhere between $100 at the lowest, and up to $1,500 for certain luxury models.

Here’s what Glass.usa had to say:

As you can see above, in many cases it’s going to be cheaper to do the repair work yourself. Of course, even though you’re saving money in terms of dollars, you will have to invest some time that you wouldn’t have to if you paid a pro to do it.

The Pros Of Replacing Your Windshield With A Junkyard Windshield

There’s a number of pros to replacing your windshield with a junkyard one that include:

• It’s a lot cheaper than paying someone else to do it, at least in terms of dollars (especially if you have a luxury vehicle).
• You have a lot of choices if you are willing to look.
• You may be able to find an already tinted windshield – which if you live in a sunny state like Florida is well worth it.
• In most cases there’s no waiting period to get your windshield.
• No waiting hours or even days for an auto-glass shop to do the repair.
• Once you learn how to do it, if your windshield ever gets busted again you don’t need to stress at all because you can fix it.
• You get the personal satisfaction that comes from a DIY job like this.
• Most auto salvage/junkyard owners are small businesses, so by buying a windshield from them you are supporting the community! Go you!

The Cons Of Replacing Your Windshield With A Junkyard Windshield

Unfortunately, with every good thing comes some downsides, which include:

• You can’t guarantee that the windshield you choose is safe (although you can be reasonably sure)
• Your manufacturer warranty may not cover the replacement windshield.
• Your Auto insurance may not cover the replacement windshield, although chances are that doesn’t matter to you anyway.
• You’re going to have to do the repair yourself, which does mean putting in some elbow grease (and some time!).
• It’s possible to do this repair wrong. It’s doable, but not necessarily simple.

Decided You’re Going The Junkyard Route? Watch These Videos

Rather than list out all the steps here (because let’s be honest, who wants to read when they can just watch?) we went ahead and selected two great videos that will help you fix your windshield.

This first video by YouTuber oldskool funk shows a first hand account of what a first time windshield replacement may look like. It’s a great video to help you set reasonable expectations, as well as how to learn what to do.

The second video below, by YouTuber EricTheCarGuy also explains how to replace your windshield. This video is a bit more of a professional take if you want a reference point.

Like Saving Money On Your Car? We’ve Got A Surprise For You

Replacing your windshield on your own is a big win that puts money in your pocket. Even though it’s a harder job to do, you can still do it!

But what about a big job like an engine or transmission replacement? Would you feel as comfortable doing one of those yourself?

But, if you entrusted those repairs to a mechanic, you’d probably be looking at a bill that could cost up to $8,000 dollars.

Ouch!

And unfortunately, if your vehicle is getting up there in age (or even if it isn’t, freak breakdowns happen all the time), at some point something in your car is going to break.

Hopefully it won’t be more expensive then your windshield.

As you can see above, there are a lot of major repairs that cost a whole heck of a lot more – and we’re willing to bet you probably don’t want to pay for those.

That’s where a vehicle service contract from Protect My Car comes in.

A vehicle service contract from Protect My Car pays for repairs like these when your vehicle needs them. You take your vehicle to the mechanic of your choice, and we pay for the bill.

$2,707 transmission repair? Covered.

$3,250 engine repair? We’ve got it handled.

It’s that simple.

Plus, our vehicle service contracts come with tons of great bonuses which you can take advantage of. They include:

• FREE 24/7 Roadside Assistance (Never get stranded on the side of the road again!)
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So if saving thousands of dollars on car repairs, plus all these free bonuses sound good to you, click the button below and fill out the form to get a free quote to see just how easy it is to save thousands of dollars on car repairs.