Online used auto parts part-out business

DIY drivers, independent mechanics and body shops searching online for affordable used parts, plus scrap buyers for the shells.

Selling individual parts such as engines, doors, headlights and electronics through online marketplaces, with shipping or local pickup, plus scrap metal from what is left.

• Mechanical knowledge and confidence with tools
• Photographing and describing parts accurately
• Online selling and customer messaging
• Packing and shipping bulky items

• Licensing, zoning and environmental rules for dismantling, which vary by province and municipality, so never assume you can work from a home driveway
• Safe draining, storage and disposal of fluids, batteries and refrigerants
• Commercial general liability insurance, and checking whether your landlord's policy covers dismantling work
• Proof of ownership for every vehicle you buy, and records of what you sell
• Returns, wrong-fit disputes and shipping damage on heavy parts

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how many vehicles you buy, the cost of renting a bay or property, and the tools and storage you need. These are estimates, so start with a few vehicles.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on which vehicles you buy, which parts sell and how quickly they move. Returns, wrong-fit disputes and shipping damage on heavy parts can reduce what you keep.

Check licensing, zoning and environmental rules for dismantling with your province and municipality, and never assume you can work from a home driveway. Also check safe draining, storage and disposal of fluids, batteries and refrigerants, and keep proof of ownership for every vehicle.