Strickland's Used Parts in Chattanooga: Pulling OEM and Aftermarket Components from Salvage Inventory
Strickland's Used Parts operates as a salvage yard and parts supplier focused on pulling components from wrecked and end-of-life vehicles, stocking both original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and common aftermarket replacements at prices significantly lower than new retail. Located to serve mechanics, DIYers, and fleet operators across the Chattanooga area, it functions as an alternative to dealership parts departments and full-service auto recyclers, positioning itself in the cost-conscious segment of the automotive supply chain.
What Strickland's Used Parts actually is
The business pulls usable parts from salvaged vehicles and sells them as-is. Inventory rotates based on incoming wrecks, meaning stock on any given day includes engine blocks, transmissions, doors, windows, fenders, lighting assemblies, interior trim, and running gear. Unlike a new-parts retailer or dealership parts counter, Strickland's operates on a salvage model where availability depends on what vehicles have been processed recently. Parts carry no warranty unless explicitly stated at the time of sale, and no returns are standard unless a component is grossly misidentified. The yard does not perform installation or diagnostic work; it sells parts only.
Inventory, pricing, and how parts are sourced
OEM parts pulled from salvage typically cost 40 to 60 percent less than dealership new-part pricing for the same component. A door panel from a 2015 Toyota, for example, might sell for $80 to $150 used versus $250 to $400 new from a Toyota dealer. Aftermarket alternatives stocked alongside salvage parts (alternators, water pumps, brake calipers from remanufactured suppliers) often undercut new OEM by 20 to 35 percent. Prices are marked on shelves or quoted over the phone; specific rates depend on part condition, rarity, and current demand, so a call ahead is wise if you need a particular component. The yard updates inventory weekly as new vehicles arrive for processing, meaning a part in stock today may not be available next week, or the reverse.
How Strickland's compares to other Chattanooga options
Strickland's differs from LKQ Corporation-affiliated Pick Your Part locations (national chain operations) by operating as an independent salvage facility with smaller, more localized inventory and potentially more flexibility on pricing negotiation. Pick Your Part emphasizes customer self-pulling (you extract the part yourself) and charges a flat pull fee ($10 to $30 depending on part difficulty); Strickland's staff typically pull parts for you, shifting the time cost to the business and the convenience to you. Dealership parts departments guarantee OEM authenticity and new condition but charge list price with minimal negotiation; choose that route if you need a specific part guaranteed to fit and perform as original. Online retailers like RockAuto or eBay sellers ship aftermarket parts nationwide but introduce shipping time and return logistics; Strickland's offers same-day pickup for local buyers. For mechanics running a shop, Strickland's serves as a cost-reduction tool on jobs where the customer accepts used OEM or remanufactured parts; for DIYers tackling their own repair, it cuts parts cost at the trade-off of no warranty and the requirement to inspect before purchase.
Who should shop here and who should not
Strickland's suits cost-conscious repair shops, fleet operators managing aging vehicles, DIY mechanics confident in identifying part condition, and drivers of common domestic and import vehicles where salvage volume is high. It does not suit someone who needs a part tomorrow from a specific vehicle model (stock is unpredictable), someone who requires a warranty (salvage parts are sold as-is), or someone repairing a new vehicle under factory warranty (using salvage parts can void coverage). Professionals restocking brake rotors, alternators, or door panels benefit; homeowners needing a single part for an aging sedan are also well served. A buyer unfamiliar with reading part numbers or evaluating wear should either bring a mechanic or call ahead to have staff describe condition over the phone.
What a first visit involves
Walk-in customers browse the outdoor and covered yard where parts are organized by vehicle make, model year, and component type. Staff can point you toward inventory or pull a part from the shelves if you know the specific vehicle and component. You inspect the part (look for cracks, corrosion, electrical function if applicable), negotiate price if the marked price seems off, and pay at the register. Alternatively, call ahead with your vehicle year, make, model, and the part you need; staff will check inventory and hold it for a few hours while you arrange pickup. Most transactions are cash or card; expect no delivery.
Hours, location, and logistics
Strickland's operates during standard business hours typical for salvage yards (generally 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with Sunday hours limited or closed). Parking on-site is available. Verify current hours by phone before a long trip, as salvage yard operations occasionally shift seasonally or for inventory processing. The yard is accessible by vehicle; parts are heavy and not suited to public transit trips, and you may need a vehicle to transport larger components like transmissions or doors.
Strickland's anchors the cost-conscious end of Chattanooga's automotive parts market, making it essential for budget-driven repairs and shops managing thin margins on older vehicles.
