The Car Parts Most Likely To Make A Ton Of Cash Aren’t The Ones We Suspected

The buying and selling of car parts online is big business these days, and there’s definitely money to be made if you know what you’re doing. Interestingly, though, sometimes the parts that sell for the most profit aren’t the ones you’d immediately think of. But this is where we come in! Here are 40 unexpected parts that could make you a ton of cash.

40. Windshield — $50

As any driver knows, the odds that you’ll need to replace your windshield at some point are high. So, what should you do with your broken windshield? Why, sell it, of course! Organizing shipping for a broken windshield isn’t really feasible, so eBay is out of the question. But if you sell it to a local junk yard, you should get 50 bucks or so.

39. Windshield wipers — $65 each

Windshield wiper arms are probably way more valuable than you’d expect. If you want to sell them, chances are you can get up to $65 each! It’s not going to make you rich — and other parts on your vehicle will be worth much more — but 130 bucks is 130 bucks, right?

38. Speedometer head/cluster — $75

Yes, you read that right: there will be people out there willing to buy your speedometer cluster. As in, the multiple gauges that show a driver their speed, engine temperature, level of gas in the tank, et cetera. In decent condition, these can sell for an average of 75 bucks online.

37. Leveling kit — $100

If you are selling a truck, the chances are you own a leveling kit. These kits are great ways of adjusting the height of the front of a truck, as trucks tend to be built higher at the rear. A leveling kit in tip-top condition should be able to net you a cool 100 bucks or so, as brand new ones cost anywhere from $200 to $500.

36. Exhaust system — $300+

Replacing the exhaust on a vehicle can be an expensive business — for instance, a brand new exhaust could set you back up to $1,200. This is why a lot of folks are keeping an eye out for second hand exhaust systems — and this is where you could come in! You could easily fetch 300 bucks or more, depending on the model of your exhaust.

35. Cylinder head — $200 to $250

The cylinder head is a vital part of any engine. It’s where the combustion chamber, lifters, springs, and exhaust valve are, and it also filters coolant into the engine. If your vehicle is going to be scrapped, you might want to consider selling your cylinder head — it can go for around $200 or $250 online.

34. Battery — $20 to $50

If your car battery still has some juice in it and you want to make a few bucks, there are a few avenues you can look at. Handing the battery over to a scrap yard or mechanic will likely get you around 20 bucks. But if you sell it on eBay or Craigslist, you may be able to boost that price to between $35 and $50.

33. Headrests — $11 to $250

You may ask yourself, “How the heck would anyone lose a headrest?” but it actually happens all the time. Trust us. Some people also just like to replace theirs due to general wear and tear. So, if you’re in the market to get rid of yours, you could get anywhere from 11 to 250 bucks — depending on what level of vehicle the headrest is from and how many you’re selling, of course.

32. Stereo — $80

If you play your cards right, you can make a killing on OEM — Original Equipment Manufacturer — car stereos. Lots of people rip these out after they purchase their vehicles and install the fancier system they want, which means you see a lot of OEM models at thrift stores for super cheap. But, if yours is in good condition, it can go for upwards of 80 bucks on eBay!

31. Muffler — $25 to $100

When it comes time to sell a muffler, the price you can charge will vary depending on the quality of the part. If the muffler on your vehicle is an aftermarket item, you’ll maybe get $25 to $50 for it. If it’s a better quality part, though, then you may be looking at $50 to $100.

30. Transmission — $800 to $1,500

The transmission is pretty damn important to an automobile — it effectively prevents the engine from being destroyed. Without a transmission, it would shake violently and overheat. Fittingly, then, it’s also one of the costliest car parts — brand new ones are at least $3,500. This is why people will be on the lookout for used transmissions, which generally go for $800 to $1,500.

29. Side-view mirrors — $30 to $880

Used side-view mirrors are one of the best bets when it comes to selling car parts. They tend to get damaged a lot, so people are always looking to replace them. Depending on which vehicle they’re from and how pristine their condition is, you could net anywhere from 30 bucks to a massive $880!

28. Shocks and struts — $50 to $900

Shock absorbers keep your vehicle’s wheels firmly attached to the road at all times. In vehicles without shock suspension, struts do much the same job, keeping your car from bouncing all over the road. Depending on the quality of vehicle you’re driving, replacing shocks and struts can run anywhere from $50 to a massive $900. So, they’re potentially a great money-maker if you’re selling too.

27. Air conditioning compressors — $50 to $220

The compressor is the most vital component of an air conditioning system — and also the part most prone to breaking down. So, if the compressor from your car is in good condition, you could probably find a buyer for it on eBay. Remanufactured compressors tend to sell for anywhere between $50 and $220!

26. Seats — $20 to $50

Plenty of junkyards will be willing to take used car seats off your hands. Why? Because they know there’s demand for them. According to Reddit, some eager customers even pull the seats from scrapped vehicles themselves and pay a small sum for the privilege! So, why not cut out the middleman and sell yours straight to the consumer? You’ll likely get between 20 and 50 bucks per seat.

25. Oxygen sensor — $50 to $200

The oxygen sensor is part of a car’s exhaust system, and it keeps track of the level of oxygen in your vehicle’s exhaust emissions. Makes sense, right? Some cars have multiple sensors, while others have one, but they’re always expensive to replace. This is why, depending on the vehicle you drive, you can make anywhere from 50 to 200 bucks by selling your used sensor.

24. Owner’s Manuals — $10+

These days you can download pretty much any owner’s manual from the car manufacturer’s website for free. But there are people who still want to have the real thing in their glove box. How do we know that? Because used car manuals sell all the time on eBay! You could get 10 bucks or so for a standard manual, and way more if your vehicle is rare or sought after.

23. Catalytic converter — $200 to $2,500

The selling price for a catalytic converter can go all over the map — but it will make you a decent chunk of change if you have the right one. If you’re selling a universal fit, you’ll fetch between $200 and $300. But if it’s a direct-fit converter — which is more complicated for body shops to fit — you could hawk it for $300 to $2,500, depending on the model of your vehicle.

22. Keyless fobs — varies

If you’ve sold your car and have a spare keyless fob, there are plenty of websites who will take it off your hands. There’s technology involved in a fob, you see, as opposed to a simple car key like in the old days. The cash you’ll get will vary wildly, depending on how high-end or rare your car was — but it would’ve just sat in a drawer, anyway!

21. Floor mats — $100

If we told you that you could make 100 bucks from selling your used floor mats, you’d probably say we were lying. But here’s the thing — we’re not! You see, when people are trying to sell their vehicles, it adds value to have the original floor mats for their model. And if theirs have gone missing, they need to get ’em from somewhere! Why not you?

20. Tailgates — $200+

A well-kept tailgate from a truck that’s not been beat up a lot over the years will likely sell for 200 bucks or so. The potential number goes up if the tailgate was a specialized addition that you had custom made, though. In that case, the selling price could be a heck of a lot more.

19. Control arm — $100 to $200

The control arm is pretty darn essential — it attaches the car’s suspension to the frame of the vehicle. These days, most vehicles only have one control arm — on their front suspension — and they cost between $100 and $200 to replace. So, if you’re breaking a car down for parts, the control arm is a pretty good bet to nab you some cash.

18. Radiator – price varies

Your old car radiator won’t fetch a pretty penny from a private seller, but if you drain all the coolant out and take it to a scrap yard, you might be in business. The price you’ll receive will depend on what the radiator is made of. Aluminum-copper should be worth $1.15 per pound; steel 5 cents per pound; iron is between 2 and 7 cents; and brass will fetch up to $2 per pound!

17. GPS — $200

These days, most people use the GPS apps on their smartphones to get around. But if you have an in-built GPS in your car and you want to get rid of it, you could do worse than listing it on eBay. It could fetch you $200 or so, and that’s nothing to sneeze at!

16. Power steering pump — $25 to $250

Have you ever tried to drive an older vehicle that doesn’t have power steering? It’s like trying to turn a tank! Modern vehicle maneuvering is so much simpler thanks to the hydraulic power steering pump. People will always need one if theirs fails, so you can usually charge anywhere between $25 and $250 — depending on your vehicle — for a pump in full working order.

15. Clutch kit — $160+

The clutch is an incredibly important element of any vehicle, but the way many people drive leads to them wearing out fairly often. They’re not cheap to replace, either, with a clutch kit running anywhere from $160 to $360, depending on the car. If you want to avoid the need to replace one, try braking and putting your car in neutral instead of sitting with your foot on the clutch.

14. Motor oil — $0.30 to $0.50 per gallon

Selling used motor oil is big business in the car world. There will definitely be plenty of auto parts stores, mechanics, and junkyards willing to take it off your hands. Many places will pay between 30 and 50 cents per gallon of the stuff, so that could be a decent money-maker if you happen to have access to a lot of oil. Like, a hell of a lot!

13. Fog lights — $20 to $60

Do you live somewhere with regularly terrible weather? Are you often struggling through snow and fog, with terrible visibility? If so, then you may need fog lights for your car, and second-hand ones should be readily available. A bargain basement set will cost about $20, but for $60 or more you can get powerful ones that last much longer.

12. Jumper cables — $10+

Jumper cables are super important to have in case of emergency. You see, if you break down, a good set of cables attached to another vehicle’s battery will get you going again. Generally, they cost anywhere from $15 to $200 to buy new — depending on how fancy you want to go — and you could easily pocket a decent amount selling yours second-hand.

11. Fenders — $80 to $280

In most modern vehicles, the fenders — which protect the wheel wells — are attached to the bumpers. This means if someone replaces one, they’ll likely have to do both. Hence, there is a market for second-hand fenders, as any buyer will want to keep costs down where possible. You could get between $80 and $280 — depending on your car’s model — for a fender in great condition.

10. Console armrests — $50 to $215

A rich vein of potential second-hand sales lies within your vehicle’s console. Easily detachable pieces like sun visors and armrests can be sold online, with the armrests being particularly likely to fetch you a good amount. A quick gander on eBay shows used armrests selling for between $50 and $215!

9. Infotainment system — $600

These days, most high-quality vehicles come with a touch screen dashboard infotainment system. This gives you music, calls, and GPS, plus the Bluetooth capability makes hands-free control a breeze. Brand new systems can set you back $1,200, so if you have a well-maintained second-hand one to sell, you’ll definitely find a buyer willing to part with 600 bucks.

8. Brake rotors/pads — $70 to $110 front / $50 to $100 rear

If you need to replace the brake rotors and pads on any vehicle, it’s going to cost a pretty penny. Buying a used rotor/pad kit is always an option, although you’d need to vet them carefully to be sure they’re not excessively worn. A kit for your front wheels should set you back between 70 and 110 bucks, while the rear will be $50 to $100.

7. Doors — $200 to $1,500

Drivers needing to replace their car door is more common than you might think, so the market is definitely there if you have one to sell. According to the Motor1 website, you could charge between $200 and $1,500, depending on the make and model of the car. Interestingly, though, you could also look into selling the door’s component parts, such as locks, side mirrors, handles, window controls.

6. Headlights and taillights — $15 to $100

Did you know that an HID — High Intensity Discharge — bulb from a car headlight can fetch a cool 100 bucks online? Even the more bargain-basement halogen bulbs will net you $15 to $20. And if you’re planning on selling the entire headlight, glass casing and all, the price you can command will obviously go much higher than that.

5. Engine cover/trim pieces — $35 to $70

For the uninitiated, trim pieces are the plastic coverings that fit over parts of a car’s engine to protect it and make it look more visually appealing. Trim can come in all shapes and sizes depending on which part it’s designed for. If you’re selling your vehicle and your old trim is cracked and broken, though, you can hit eBay and pay 35 to 70 bucks for replacements.

4. Bumpers — $300 to $1,000

Front and rear bumpers are always in demand, as they’re one of the most common parts damaged in accidents. Their composition — fiberglass composites, aluminum, plastic, steel — also means they’re valuable to buyers. For higher-end vehicles, you could get 1,000 bucks for one of your bumpers, and even for the lower-end ones, you’re probably looking at around $300.

3. Ignition system parts — $15+

We’re really getting into the weeds here with ignition parts such as distributors, coils, switches, and spark plug wires. All these individual components can be sold separately, and prices can range anywhere from 20 bucks and up. Most casual buyers won’t get into the nitty-gritty with these small parts, though, so true car enthusiasts will be your prime market.

2. Tires — $30 to $75

If you want to sell your tires, you’ll need to check their tread depth first. If that’s still within legal, roadworthy limits, then you’ve got a couple of options. You could sell to a used tire place, or a recycling center, but your best bet to make some cash is to sell on Craigslist. Someone in your local area may gladly pay between $30 and $75 for the right tire.

1. Seat belt retractor mechanism — $200+

Get this — if the seat belt retractor in your vehicle breaks and you are outside warranty, it can cost up to 500 bucks to get a replacement from your dealer. The mechanism is so specific to each model of car that dealers know the customer either has to use them or search for a second-hand one on eBay. Those second-hand ones, though? They can still fetch hundreds online. Crazy, right?