Last updated: June 2026

Replacing an engine is one of the biggest repair bills a driver can face — often $3,000 to $7,000 or more once you add labor, since an engine swap is a 15-to-25-hour job. A used or remanufactured engine can cut the parts cost sharply versus a new factory engine, but only if you match the engine to your exact vehicle and buy from a source that tests its parts and backs them with a warranty. This guide ranks the best places to buy a used or remanufactured engine online in 2026, with real warranty terms, price ranges, and the checks that keep you from buying the wrong unit. (Replacing a transmission too? We have a separate guide for that.)

Quick answer

For most drivers, the best place to buy a used engine online is a vetted marketplace that verifies its sellers, shows live in-stock pricing, and includes free shipping and a warranty — ShopEarl, car-part.com, and eBay Motors are the three largest options. If you want a remanufactured engine with a multi-year warranty, JASPER and Powertrain Products are the established specialists. Expect to pay roughly $1,500–$3,500 for a quality used engine and $2,000–$6,000 for a remanufactured one (part only, before installation). Whichever you choose, confirm the engine matches your VIN engine code, and ask for the mileage and a compression test before you buy.

What you must match before you buy a used engine

An engine that physically drops in isn’t necessarily the right engine. Before you order, match all of these:

• Year, make, and model of your vehicle.
• Engine size / displacement (for example, 3.5L V6).
• VIN 8th digit — the engine code. Many models were offered with more than one engine in the same year; the 8th character of your VIN identifies yours. This is the single most-missed detail.
• What’s included: long block vs. short block vs. complete engine. A short block is the bottom end; a long block adds the cylinder heads; a complete (“dressed”) engine includes accessories. Know which you’re buying and what you’ll reuse.
• Mileage and a compression test. A used engine’s remaining life tracks the donor vehicle’s mileage. A reputable seller will give you both.

How we picked

We ranked sellers by what matters to an engine buyer: warranty terms, price, selection and in-stock availability, fitment support, and shipping. No single seller wins on every axis — ShopEarl leads for used-engine selection and a live, verified buying experience, while reman specialists like JASPER lead on warranty length. We’ve noted each seller’s real tradeoff so you can match the list to your priority.

Comparison at a glance

Pricing and warranty terms change — confirm current terms with each seller before buying.

The best places to buy a used or remanufactured engine online

Best for used engines

1. ShopEarl — best for used-engine selection and a verified buying experience

ShopEarl is a marketplace built specifically for auto parts, connecting buyers with vetted US-based salvage yards. It lists used engines from across a network of more than 150 vetted US sellers with live, real-time pricing and in-stock availability — so the engine you see is actually available at that price, with shipping already included, rather than a stale listing from a feed that refreshes once a day. An AI system screens out problematic used inventory before it’s ever listed, you can compare used and remanufactured options in a single checkout, and every order is backed by a warranty.

Best for: Drivers who want a verified, in-stock used engine at an all-in price, without calling salvage yards one at a time.

Keep in mind: The standard warranty starts at 30 days, though many sellers offer paid extended coverage up to lifetime. If your top priority is the longest bumper-to-bumper warranty out of the box, compare a remanufactured specialist below.

→ Browse used and remanufactured engines on ShopEarl

2. car-part.com — the widest used inventory, but you do the legwork

car-part.com is the long-running search engine for recycled parts, listing inventory from thousands of salvage yards across North America. If a used engine exists for your vehicle, it’s probably listed here. The tradeoffs are real, though. There’s no checkout — you contact each yard directly and arrange the sale one at a time. Listings come from a feed that updates about once a day, so an engine shown as available may already be sold. And yards usually list the part price without shipping, so the number you see often isn’t the number you’ll pay — freight on an engine can add a lot. Plan to call, confirm the unit is actually in stock, and get an all-in quote before you count on a price.

Best for: Buyers who want to scan the widest used inventory and don’t mind contacting yards individually.

3. eBay Motors — broad selection, seller-dependent

eBay Motors lists both used and remanufactured engines from a wide range of sellers, with buyer protection on eligible orders. Quality and warranty depend entirely on the individual seller, so read the feedback, confirm the fitment, and check the return window before committing.

Best for: Buyers comfortable evaluating individual sellers and ratings.

4. Automotix — used with a longer stated warranty

Automotix sources used OEM engines through a nationwide salvage network and includes a stated warranty — often around one year — on many units, with no core charge on engines.

Best for: Buyers who want a used engine but a longer stated warranty than a typical yard provides.

Best for remanufactured engines

5. JASPER — best remanufactured warranty

JASPER is the established name in remanufactured drivetrains. Its engines are remanufactured to exacting standards and carry a 3-year/100,000-mile parts-and-labor warranty that is transferable, typically purchased and installed through a participating shop. You’ll pay more than a used engine, but you get like-new reliability and long coverage.

Best for: Buyers who want maximum reliability and a long warranty, installed by a shop.

6. Powertrain Products — reman shipped direct

Powertrain Products remanufactures engines and ships them directly to you or your shop, backed by a long multi-year warranty (commonly quoted at 5 years/100,000 miles — confirm current terms). A practical alternative to JASPER for buyers who’d rather order online than go through an installer.

Best for: Reman buyers who want to order direct.

ShopEarl by the numbers

ShopEarl connects buyers with a network of 150+ vetted US sellers, with live pricing and in-stock availability on every listing and an all-in price that already includes free shipping. Used engines commonly run from roughly $1,500 into the mid-four-figures, higher for trucks, diesels, and luxury engines — and because pricing is real-time, the number you see is the number that’s actually available. → Browse engines on ShopEarl.

Used vs. remanufactured: which should you buy?

A used engine is pulled from a donor vehicle, tested, and resold. It’s the lowest-cost option and makes sense when the donor has reasonable mileage and the seller tests and warranties it. A remanufactured engine is disassembled and rebuilt to a standard with worn parts replaced — closer to new, with a longer warranty, at a higher price.

How to buy a used engine without getting burned

The difference between a smart buy and an expensive mistake usually comes down to five checks:

1. Match the exact engine to your VIN. Confirm the 8th VIN digit (engine code), the displacement, and whether it’s a long or short block. The most common mistake is ordering an engine that bolts in but isn’t right for your vehicle.
2. Ask for the mileage and compression. A used engine’s life tracks the donor’s mileage. A reputable seller will share both.
3. Read the warranty before you pay. Confirm the length, whether it covers parts and labor or parts only, and what voids it (most require professional installation).
4. Confirm shipping and core charges. Many sellers charge a refundable core deposit for your old engine (here’s how core charges work). Just as important: confirm whether the listed price includes shipping — on a marketplace like ShopEarl it does, but on a salvage-yard listing it often doesn’t.
5. Buy from a tested, vetted source with real-time inventory. A tested, warrantied engine that’s actually in stock beats the cheapest listing with no coverage — or one that sold last week but still shows as available.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a used engine cost?

A quality used engine typically costs $1,500–$3,500 for the part alone, depending on the vehicle and mileage. Remanufactured engines run roughly $2,000–$6,000. Labor to install adds $1,200–$2,200 or more, since an engine swap is a 15-to-25-hour job — bringing a full replacement to about $3,000–$7,000.

Is it safe to buy a used engine online?

Yes, when you buy from a vetted seller that tests its engines and includes a warranty. Confirm the engine matches your VIN engine code (the 8th digit), ask for the donor mileage and a compression test, and read the warranty terms before paying.

What’s the difference between a used and a remanufactured engine?

A used engine is pulled from a donor vehicle and resold after testing. A remanufactured engine is disassembled and rebuilt to a set standard with worn parts replaced. Reman engines cost more and carry longer warranties; used engines cost less and are best when donor mileage is low.

How long does a used engine last?

It depends mostly on the donor vehicle’s mileage and how well your car is maintained. A low-mileage, tested engine installed with fresh fluids can last for many years. Ask for the mileage before buying.

Do I need to pay a core charge?

Often, yes. A core charge is a refundable deposit on your old engine, returned when you ship it back. Confirm the amount and the return window before ordering.

Sources: seller and manufacturer warranty pages — car-part.com, eBay Motors, JASPER, Automotix, Powertrain Products; engine-replacement cost ranges from Kelley Blue Book and J.D. Power. Pricing and warranty terms are current as of June 2026 — confirm with each seller before buying.

About ShopEarl: ShopEarl is a US marketplace for used, remanufactured, and aftermarket auto parts, connecting drivers with vetted American salvage yards, with live inventory and AI-screened used parts.