To gain a better understanding of why this is such a good value, let us look at where used parts come from. Most late model parts come from vehicles that have been involved in some type of collision. An assessment is made on the extent of the damage and how much it will cost to repair. If the insurance company finds that the cost of the repair to the vehicle meets or exceeds the value of it, the insurance company "totals" the vehicle. This means that they pay the insured person the cost of the vehicle or whatever was stipulated in the insurance policy. The insurance company then takes possession of the vehicle. In order to recover some of the loss, the insurance company sells the vehicle at a salvage auction where automotive recyclers buy the vehicle for the undamaged parts on the automobile. Most are surprised to learn that particularly with vehicles involved in rear end collisions most of the auto's engine parts are not damaged at all. Depending on the age of the vehicle, many of these parts have many years and miles left on them but because they are used parts, like used cars, have lost the value of a "new" part.