Used Car Batteries Near Me [Locator Map + Guide + FAQ] (2024)

Used Car Batteries Near Me – Find and Restore Old Auto Batteries

Car batteries are expensive and if you could get your hands on a used car battery you can save yourself some money. Finding a working used car battery isn’t always easy, because if the battery works then often the previous owner plucks it our before turning into the auto salvage yard. People don’t just don’t scrap cars because the battery is dead. Today I’ll show you how I find used auto batteries near me and if they don’t hold a reliable charge, I’ll show how I restore and refurbish them.

Find Used Car Batteries Near Me – Use the Auto Salvage Yard Locator Below

If you are searching for “Used Car Batteries Near Me” or “Used Auto Batteries Yards Near Me”, the Google Map below will show you locations that you should call to see if they have the type of used car battery that you need.

Where to Find a Used Car Battery

In my experience the auto salvage yards near me have a lot of used car batteries. If you have a Pick-n-Pull style yard you may have to scavenge around. A lot of junk yards will pull the batteries in advance and store them in their warehouse for resale. These batteries are tested and some even refurbish them before resale.

If you have to search in the lot andhappen to find a working one, you will have no idea if it’s near the end of it’s life. Obviously you can test to see if it has some juice out in the yard, but still you will have no idea if its reliable and can actually have enough load to start your car. So what I do is find the battery I need, purchase it (you can get a warranty), and if needed sometimes restore it.

Its important to know not just any car battery is good for you vehicle, you need a perfect fit for the best performance.

Used Car Batteries Near Me [Locator Map + Guide + FAQ] (1)

What I look for in a Used Auto Battery

You will probably not find a perfectly clean battery in an auto salvage yard, especially if its in the yard. There is a high probability that it’s been sitting for a while and exposed to the elements. When I find a a battery I generally inspect theconnections, cables, look for any corrosion issues around it and anything that can prevent it from doing itsjob. The cleaner the terminals are and the less corrosion the better chance you have getting more power from it. If the battery looks swollen or had been leaking fluid, move on and go find another one.

Here is what I like to do to find used car batteries near me:

  1. Search for local auto salvage yards (use the map above)
  2. Call them and ask if they have an electronic inventory of what’s in the yard
  3. Ask to see if they have equivalent cars to what I am looking for
  4. Visit the yard and scavenge for batteries for my car make/model or if they have one in stock
  5. Buy the battery (usually $20 or less – you can also get a warranty at most places), and then take it home and test it
  6. If it still has a good charge and can start my car then great, if not I restore it

How to Restore a Car Battery

Ever since I found this awesome video this is what I have been doing to used car batteries. I’ve done it to the same battery as many as 3x. Its super easy to do.

The one piece of advice he gives which you need to follow is use a 12 volt 2 amp trickle charge. The lower the amps the better because you want it to charge really slowly. It will take about 24 hours to 36 hours to get a full charge. Also DO NOT dump your old battery acid into the ground.

Before You Replace Your Current Battery…

A normal car battery should last 3 to 5 years on average. Before you replace your battery you should identify the issue.

Common battery issues:

  • Cracked battery case
  • Swollen, frozen battery
  • Cell covers missing or perhaps broken
  • Battery power is depleted and will no longer accept a charge

If you see your battery is leaking any fluid or is swollen from being frozen, it needs to be replaced immediately. If the fluid prevention covers are damaged or gone, you can get replacement covers from your local auto parts store.

You may also find that your battery won’t hold a charge anymore, in this case you could try and continue to charge it more frequently. On the other hand it may not supply enough power to operate your vehicle. If that is the case you can take it to your local auto parts store and ask them to perform a load test to see what condition your battery is in. The load test simulates the power draw of when your car starts, it can tell you if the battery has enough juice to start your vehicle.

Where to Recycle a Car Battery

Old car batteries like lead acid batteries have toxic chemicals in them which are bad for the earth. They cancontaminate the ground with lead, acids, chemicals and plastics that arenon-biodegradable.

Not everybody does the right thing with used auto batteries, but if you are environmentally conscious then you should recycle it when its reach its end of life. 99% of the components in a auto battery are recyclable. As a matter of fact most replacement car batteries are comprised out of 80 to 85% or previously used materials. If you need to recycle your battery you should contact your local recycling centerand ask if they take used car batteries. Some recyclers will pay you for your car battery, its worth asking when you call.

Another common alternative is your local auto parts store. Most auto part stores have a battery-recycling program. In some stores you can even get a credit towards a new battery when you recycle your old one. Which brings me to our next point, who will buy a used battery from you…

Who Buys Old Car Batteries Near Me

Most people who have dead car batteries are looking for a means of getting some money back before they buy a new one. There are a few different ways to get cash for an old car or truck battery. Consider the following options if you want to sell your used battery:

  • Auto parts stores (Napa, Autozone, O’Reilly, Advanced Auto Parts)
  • Auto salvage yards
  • Scrap Recycling Plants
  • Craigslist and Ebay
  • Auto Mechanics

For more information check out: Who Buys Used Car Batteries Near Me. We cover all of the options, how much you can get, and what you should know before you sell one.

Used Car Batteries Near Me

Finding a used car battery can save you about $50 to $60. Auto salvage yards are a great place to look and if you get one that isn’t holding a charge, you can try and restore it. Restoring a battery is another great money saving technique. Anyway I hope you found some benefit to my experience finding used car batteries near me. If you have one or a few to sell, it is another great way to offset the cost of getting a new/used battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to Buy a Used Car Battery?

In most cases it is OK to buy a used car batteries. It will depend on where you are buying it from. Many places that sell used car batteries will offer a 30 day warranty that will allow you to exchange the battery if it does not hold a charge.

How Much Can I Get For a Used Car Battery?

On average you will get about $7 per battery at a lead rate of ($0.33/lbs). A truck battery may yield a higher payout of $10 as it has more weight then a car battery.

Are Junkyard Batteries Good?

In my experience junkyard batteries are very reliable. Most junkyards will test and/or recharge a battery before selling it. You can also get a 30 day warranty on it to exchange it if it does not hold a charge or meet your expectations.

Who Buys Used Car Batteries?

Some of the best places to consider selling a used car battery are:

  • Auto parts stores
  • Auto salvage yards
  • Scrap metal yards
  • Recycling centers
  • Ebay
  • Craigslist
  • Auto repair shops
Used Car Batteries Near Me [Locator Map + Guide + FAQ] (2024)

FAQs

Can you get a second hand car battery? ›

Recycling Car Batteries:

Simply buying the reclaimed car battery is the cheapest option for you and the environment. Don't be put off at the thought that it is not new. Think about this: Most of us buy cars second hand. All the parts will thus be 'second hand' to the new owner.

What does battery part number mean? ›

It's a measurement of how much energy a battery can deliver continuously for 20 hours at 80 degrees F without falling below 10.5 volts. If a battery is rated at 100 amps/hour, it will supply 100 amp/hours of power, or 5 amps/1 hour.

Who gives the most money for old car batteries? ›

19 Places for Car Battery Recycling for Cash
  • Get Back Your Core Charge.
  • Auto Parts Stores.
  • Auto Repair Shops.
  • Junk and Scrap Yards.
  • Pawnshops.
  • Walmart.
  • GlobalTech Environmental.
  • United Battery.
Jan 3, 2022

How can I tell what car battery I need? ›

In order to find the right battery for your car, you'll need to know the group size. Step 1: Check for the group size on your old battery. If the battery that originally came with your car is still in it, look for the group size on a label on the battery. The label may be on the top or on the side of the case.

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