Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts FAQ

Great question! We buy cars, sell used auto parts, and sell used cars. In order to keep our prices low so that you can buy the parts you need or want without breaking the bank. Our design and approach work like this: 

• We inventory vehicles, not specific parts. We cannot tell you if we have the specific part or its condition; you have to come in to see if the part is still there and remove it yourself with your own tools.
• Our staff is not available to determine what parts are on the yard.  

Here's how you DIY with Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts:

• Search our vehicle inventory online at www.uwrenchandsave.com/inventory.
• Since we inventory vehicles and not the specific parts, we focus on keeping fresh inventory arriving daily. Search New arrivals for vehicles set within the last 14 days.
• Want to know what you're going to pay? Visit our parts pricing page. If you see parts with more than the price listed; the lowest price is for cars, and the higher price is for trucks & SUV's.

DIY isn't for everyone, but with our selection and prices, many of our customers believe it is well worth every trip!

We are a do-it-yourself used auto parts retailer.  We buy old cars, sell used auto parts, and sell a few used cars.

When looking for auto parts, it is important to understand that we inventory vehicles, not the separate parts on the vehicles. Individual parts are being pulled from our inventory each day making it impossible to know exactly which parts are still on the cars at any given time. This creates our low-cost advantage. We have roughly 1,200+ cars in the salvage yard with fresh cars placed in the yard each day.

You can search vehicle inventory online.  Whether searching online or at the store, inventory is updated daily to better reflect what we have on-hand at any given time. When you visit the yard, please bring some tools, and you can purchase quality used auto parts for less.

We invite you to enjoy the Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts difference.

Generally speaking, we currently sell only automotive parts and some recycled fluids.

However, we sell some used vehicles. We also sell many "Thrift Store" type items that come with the vehicles we purchase. You never know what treasures or tools you will find for sale on our shelves!

Monday- Saturday 9:00 am-4:30 pm.

The sales office closes at 5:00 pm.

No entry to the yard after 4:30 pm.

Gate window admissions close 30 minutes before the Sales window which gives our team time to clean up before the close of the work day.

You can still make a purchase and/or exchange an item, but you cannot be admitted to the yard. 

Picture I.D. may be required prior to entry.

Non-refundable $2.00 fee for entry.

You can check our car inventory for any car by clicking "check inventory" check inventory now.

Our car inventory is updated every night so that the website shows the most up-to-date information available.

Sign up to be notified via text. We'll let you know as soon as one arrives on the yard- Inventory

$2.00 per person for anyone entering the yard. Non-refundable. 

18 years old minimum age, this is required by insurance.

Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts is not able to resell salvage vehicles (the vehicles you'll find out on the yard at Tri-State). We are only able to sell the parts and some recycled liquids (like coolant) from these cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Customers can technically buy any and all parts that make up a vehicle, except fuel tanks, windshields, and catalytic converters, but Tri-State cannot sell the vehicle as a whole - even if it's only intended to be a 'parts' car.

Tri-State does sell used cars on occasion. These are vehicles Tri-State has acquired for resale purposes and are not subject to the same rules and regulations as salvage vehicles.

If you are interested in purchasing a complete vehicle as an alternative to buying individual parts separately, you may be able to find a used car at Tri-State that meets your needs.

No, it is an insurance requirement that all customers wear closed-toed shoes.

Commercial or professional photography is not allowed without company permission. Contact a manager or owner for permission.

At Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts, we are welcoming to all customers.

For customers with disabilities, who require motorized vehicles or have other ambulatory challenges, please know that the areas outside of our buildings may be uneven and present possible challenges or risks for you. The surfaces in our yard are covered with multiple levels of gravel and are not paved.

You are permitted to drive your assisted motorized vehicle on the yard after signing a waiver.

We will do everything we can to help accommodate you during your visit. Please keep in mind that Tri-State is a do-it-yourself (DIY) operation and there may be some limits to how much assistance we can provide.

If you require a service animal, please inform our staff upon your arrival. If you require your animal during your visit, please know that the yard can pose some risks for your animal and we do require official documentation for the service animal.

Please see a Store Manager when you arrive at the store to see if there's anything else we may be able to help you with. We welcome all customers and want to ensure every person and animal is aware and safe during your visit.

We respectfully require that our customers do not bring firearms into our facilities unless they are authorized law enforcement.

Click here for directions.

Yes. Just let us know when you call that you have more than one vehicle.

Yes. You need to provide a lien-free title with your name on the face of the title.

Yes, you must have a lien-free title with your name on the face of the title.

Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts is the environmentally responsible way to recycle your old car.  Upon buying your vehicle, we prepare it to be placed in our salvage yard.   This includes the removal and recycling of all fluids as well as the processing of some metals.

From there, your vehicle will be placed on the yard so that our do-it-yourself parts customers can remove the parts they need.

After a while, your vehicle completes the recycling process, where it is crushed, and shipped to metal buyers.

In some instances, vehicles we purchase are able to be repaired to road ready condition, so they may qualify for re-sale as used vehicles.  If so, we may place them on the lot for purchase for on-road use instead of placing them on the yard for do-it-yourself parts customers.

Great Question. We do not accept cars not titled in the seller's name. There are some scrap Processors that do accept vehicles without titles, those vehicles require different paperwork

No, we will not purchase a vehicle that still has a loan or lien.  You'll need to pay off the loan before you sell it to us, and have a notarized "lien release" from the lienholder.

Generally, our price quotes will be honored for 30 days.

The amount we offer is based on the Make/Model/year and condition of the vehicle.

At Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts, we want every neighborhood to become a safer, cleaner, and more comfortable place to live.

From clearing dilapidated cars off the street and out of driveways, to safely removing harmful fluids and recycling virtually everything that comes through our door, we take proactive steps toward making our community better. We take a great deal of pride in how we run our award-winning operations, and it shows. Come experience the Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts difference, and save money at the same time.

Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover. No checks.

Tri-State's Standard Return and Exchange Policy

Mechanical & Electrical parts include a 30-day echange warranty. If your used auto parts purchase is defective, you may return or exchange the item(s) within 30-days of the original purchase with your receipt. We will not accept parts for return or exchange without a receipt. Parts with a reciept can be exchanged for matching parts or returned for a store credit that can be used within 180 days from the date of issue. With the exception of core deposits, we do not offer cash refunds for returned parts. The returned part(s) must be the original part purchased, properly marked with the original Tri-State markings, and not disassembled, or altered in any way.

All exchanges or returns are at the discretion of the Store Manager. If you have any questions or issues related to returns or exchanges, please contact us.

Exceptions

Tires and Wheels

Tires and wheels have a 3-day limited warranty. You may exchange or return defective tires and wheels (for store credit) within 3 days of your original purchase with a receipt.

Hybrid Batteries

Hybrid batteries are not covered by Tri-State's Standard Return and Exchange Policy. These items are sold “AS-IS” and are not eligible for exchange or return.

Used Coolant, Washer Fluid, Thrift Store Items

Tri-State does not provide a warranty for used coolant, windshield washer fluid, fuses, or thrift store items. These items are sold “AS-IS” and are not eligible for exchange or return.

Core Returns

All Core returns are gladly processed, and cash is provided in return for the core, and if the return is within 30 days of the original purchase (receipt required for core returns). Cores must be drained of fluids to be accepted.

Store credit is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. The customer is responsible for keeping track of the store credit slip.

To sign-up for sales tax exemption, you will need to present documentation of your tax-exempt certificate, please visit the office and ask for the store manager.

Our price list is in two places:

• Online
• In-Store

Our pricing model is unique, but makes perfect sense…so it is easy to understand.

Each specific part has the same price, regardless of the make, model, or year of the car in which you find it.

Trucks, vans, and SUVs have a separate list for select parts, as do Jeep Wranglers.

Example: The price for a 6-cylinder engine is fixed, whether it is in a 1972 Plymouth Fury or 1996 Mercedes. Simple, Easy, and huge savings - that is the Tri-State way.

As a leading automotive recycler, Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts is required to comply with various federal, state, and local regulations and policies related to recycling, processing, and/or disposal of potentially hazardous materials we handle at our salvage yard. This includes the treatment of waste fluids, disposal of dead batteries, recycling tires, and many other toxic or dangerous materials that may harm the environment.

Through our compliance in these areas, Tri-State keeps our communities - and our environment as a whole - cleaner and safer for all. It also helps keep our facility, customers, and employees safe at our facility.

Like other salvage and recycling operations in our industry, Tri-State charges a small environmental fee to help offset the significant, rising costs of complying with these environmental safety standards and compliance requirements. Thank you for supporting our efforts to keep our facility safe and our community and environment clean.

• The part you are purchasing contains a component that is recyclable.
• The Core Charge deposit is charged at the time of purchase.
• When the recyclable component from your old part is returned to us, the charge is refunded to you in the original method of purchase. (Cash/ Credit).
• If you have the old part with you at the point of purchase, you will not have to pay this charge if the part is left at the facility at the point of sale.

• Bring the old part back along with your receipt then the core charge will be refunded in the original method of payment, not a store credit.
• All cores must be drained of all fluids to receive a refund.

The Store Manager will determine a fair price for anything not shown on the price list, this includes specialty parts.

In order to exchange or return parts, you will need your receipt. Absolutely NO exchanges, refunds, or store credit are allowed without a receipt.

It is your responsibility to keep your receipt.

No, we only purchase whole vehicles, no loose parts purchased.

Tri-State U-Wrench & Save Auto Parts has always been a do-it-yourself (DIY) salvage yard. We frequently refresh our inventory, maintain, clean, and organize our yard to help you find the used auto part(s) you need for your repairs. This DIY model helps our customers save the most money.

For traditional DIY used auto parts customers: Regarding the assistance we provide - all vehicles displayed are elevated for you. We supply an A-Frame and Hoist to assist you in the removal of an engine or a transmission. Customers must provide their own attachment chains or slings.

We will not assist in loading engines or transmissions in any enclosed vehicles, including, but not limited to hatchbacks, cars, vans, Suburbans, Yukons, etc.

We reserve the right to refuse to load any parts in any customer vehicles at any time. We provide A-frames for customers' use.

Yes, but due to the significant manufacturer recalls, we require a customer ID and the stock number of our vehicle to complete the sale. This allows us to develop a data base in the case of a future recall for the airbag.

Yes – we sell both tires and wheels (rims). Wheels are still on the cars and are already dismounted. All tires are removed from the vehicles and available to purchase in the store.

Please remember that since we don't inventory the parts on the vehicles, we don't know the condition, specifics or availability of parts on any of the vehicles. You can search car inventory online at www.uwrenchandsave.com prior to visiting our yard to determine if the vehicle is available and then visit our yard to see if the part(s) you are looking for is(are) still available and in the desired condition.

For interchanges - although each vehicle uses a specific manufacturer’s recommended size, many vehicles use the same size tire. So, if tires of the same size are found on a different make/model than yours, they are interchangeable. What is often not interchangeable is the lug pattern of the wheel on which the tire was mounted.

We do not provide or rent golf carts.

For safety and liability reasons, we don't allow customers to bring their own golf carts. Customers are allowed to bring their own wagons or wheel barrows.

If you have a disability and require special assistance, please speak with Store Management at the store.

To remove parts from the vehicles, you'll need to bring the appropriate tools with you. If you’re unsure of what to bring, please check with your local mechanic or youtube.

• We don't allow torches or jacks on the yard. For safety reasons we don’t allow anyone to bring lead acid batteries (i.e. car and motorcycle batteries), gasoline, or diesel on the yard.
• We DO allow small generators, (gas or battery - extra gas tanks are not allowed on the yard, so be sure it's full before coming out!) battery powered tools, and jumper boxes to help get the job done faster.

We make every effort to set cars safely, including welding the two wheels together that make up stands that we set the cars on. We supply an A Frame and Hoist to assist in the removal of an engine or a transmission, customers must provide attachment chains or slings. Chains and slings must be rated for the working load of parts being removed.

We also have wheelbarrows - free of charge. You may also bring your own!

The only parts we remove from vehicles before they are placed on the yard are those parts that represent a safety hazard, environmental hazard (mercury switches, fluids), or a legal compliance concern (catalytic converters and some metals).

If you want to be the first to know about new vehicles we put out on the yard, you can sign-up for our free NotifyMe alerts service to be notified by email or SMS (text) when a particular year/make/model vehicles arrive at our yard, or you can monitor our New Arrivals section of our website, which is updated daily as we place new vehicles on the yard for our customers.

You can also search our complete vehicle inventory.

It depends on the vehicle, but vehicles are generally on the yard for at least 60 to 90 days.

Yes, the refrigerant and resulting pressure is removed from the system before the vehicle is put on the yard.

Furthermore: All fluids are removed from all vehicles placed on the sales yard.

Many customers ask about odometer readings. If we were able to determine the mileage when the vehicle arrived, it is written on the windshield. Otherwise, we don't know the mileage.

As a guide to determine mileage, the average vehicle is driven ~10,000-15,000 miles/year, with our vehicles leaning towards the higher side. You could use the model year and the average mileage (mentioned above) to estimate total miles.

If the vehicle has a mechanical odometer, you should be able to view the recorded mileage on the vehicle. 

Yes, you can.  Generally, you can bring battery-powered tools, jumper boxes, and a compressor/generator that you can carry by hand. No extra gas or diesel is permitted on the yard.

All vehicles in the yard are elevated for you. We supply an A-Frame and Hoist to assist in the removal of an engine or a transmission. you must bring your own chain or slings. Slings and chains must be working load rated for the part being removed.

To remove parts from the vehicles, you will need to bring the appropriate tools with you. We do not loan tools. If you are unsure of what to bring, please check with your local mechanic or Youtube.

We do not allow most incendiary tools (spark-producing) or jacks on the yard. We do allow small generators and battery-powered tools.

Yes, batteries are removed from the vehicles, tested, and the good batteries are placed at the front counter.

Just come by the store to see if we have the battery you need. Batteries do require a core charge.

The tanks are not for sale. We puncture the fuel tanks to drain the gasoline when we receive and process vehicles.

We do sell exhaust system components, such as mufflers and exhaust pipes. However, federal law prohibits the sale of used catalytic converters.

During our incoming vehicle processing, the converters are removed and recycled in compliance with the law.