Chicago's U-Pic-A-Part is a recent arrival to the area. I didn't even know it existed until I heard several radio commercials for it and spotted a billboard, all on the same day. The advertising blitz worked; I had tools in the trunk so I went there immediately. If you've been to almost any other area junkyard, you already know the routine - pay your $2 admission fee, get your toolbox checked and you are released into the yard to look for whatever parts on whichever cars you like. Like most of the other yards, the cars here are organized by make (GM, Ford, Chrysler and imports) and are up on stands for easy picking. Unlike most of the other yards, this one has an asphalt surface, probably from some leftover factory parking lot or whatever it was that used to be here. The paved surface sounds like a great idea but upon thinking of the only other area junkyard that I know of with a paved surface, I have decided I am not a big fan of the asphalt. The surface soon takes on an oily, slippery texture and if there has been snow lately the aisles between the cars become icy and treacherous. At least that is how it is at the "other" paved junkyard; who knows, maybe U-Pic-A-Part will have an army of laborers with shovels to keep the rows clear all winter. Maybe it will be different. This winter has been remarkably free of snow, so so far so good. I didn't find anything that I needed to buy so I can't comment on price. Cars are of the typical late-model variety, mostly from the 90s and 2000s with a smattering of cars from the 80s. I didn't see anything older than that, at least not in the GM section. So what's not to love here? Besides my preference for gravel instead of asphalt for a ground surface, what this yard is lacking is an online inventory, something that most of the other area junkyards have all added in recent years. That has truly become the game changer and has eliminated the all-day random search through a half-dozen yards in favor of strategic visits to the one or two yards which actually have the make and model I need. And this is all thanks to the online inventory. Its something this yard needs to get. The internets have come to almost all the other junkyards in the area and this one needs to get with the program too. read more

Pick Your Part - Chicago South - U-Pic-A-Part, Chicago IL - Auto Parts & Supplies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I found tires and minor car parts for the cheap here. I came with no tools and they referred me to a guy for removal. Couldnt beat that. I left with what I needed and at half the cost. read more

This is highly unprofessiona. I had a 4pm appointment on Saturday to have my car picked up to be junked and the driver never showed up nor did he call. I called at 4:15 and was told that the driver was running behind but he will be there to pick up my car. I called again at 5:30 and told that the driver had left 10 mins ago with my paperwork in hand and he was on his way. I'm still waiting on the driver to get here. The lady on the phone obviously lied to me and there was no driver who was on his way. I have filed a complaint with BBB. This company is horrible and a liar. Update: I'm still waiting for a supervisor to contact me to apologize for them not picking up my car that was schedule to be picked up Saturday at 4pm. I spoke with a supervisor named Andy who informed me that Leann who is the supervisor of towing will contacted me and she has failed to do so. I called at 4pm to speak with Leann but nobody answered my call. read more

Stopped in to find a part for an Expedition. Asked the man at the front desk if they had any Expeditions and was told right away they didn't have any. I decided to go in anyway and found 6 of them. He was either too lazy to be bothered to check or maybe the business is doing well enough to not need customers. read more

They have a $3 entry fee which initially kept me away. However the fee applies for the entire day, even other LKQ yards if needed (there are several near Chicago). That $3 means that as long as there car or multiple of your car are there it is more likely you will find what you need. And found it on multiple cars. The yard is huge. All the cars are on blocks or about 1-2 feet off the ground for easier access. You need to bring tools as it is self service, there is a home depot and a Harbor freight tools less than 15 minute driving if you need a special tool and again you can come and go from the yard the whole day (closes at 5 PM). read more

Bunch of rats and im not talking about the furry kind with tails I seen a truck cap/canopy/topper for my truck and asked the girl at the front desk the price she told me so them i came back the next day with a friend to help me take out off since out weighs a few hundred pounds when we finally got it to the front the guy rings it up for double the price she told me it was and the said it was called something else and than she started saying oh yes thats something else. That is understandable if you have it named something else but you could have said we will take off some money for you spending all that time taking the party off. read more

In my modest opinion, if you work on cars on weekends like I do, LKQ is the place to visit. The review is about junk yards and not the value of going to junkyards. Of course there is a value in all junkyards. I have visited about 4 or 5 LKQ locations. I also have visited other junkyards. I have not visited every junkyard in the city or the state. But let me say that LKQ is the best junkyard to visit. More importantly I was thrilled when they kept an online inventory. In the old days, you would just show up to a location, walk around for hours in the hot sun or cold and than find out that the lot was empty. Now, you can search locations based on a specific make, model and year. Plus you can get email or text alerts when a car arrives. You can be the 1st to get dibs on valued parts. I do say that you have to know what things costs, for example, some parts are more expensive here than if you get them brand new in the box from a retailer. Radiator supports, water pumps etc. But some parts not even the dealership has them and this is where they shine. There has been times where counter people debate prices. For example, I bought headlight assemblies and he charged me as an Xenon assembly, I pulled the "halogen" bulb in front of him, but he was gun-ho it was Xenon. The counter people are not mechanical engineers and I am sure its a demanding job not only dealing with rude people, but being able to identify every part that comes of a car. There also has been times I was charged less for parts as well. For all of you that visit these places, bring your own tools and lots of them. Nothing more annoying that having to borrow your tools to complete strangers and than having me walk around looking to get it back, plus the time that is lost. Every-time I go someone will always ask me for tools. I am not talking about the guy with lots of tools and he might need a specific specialty tool. I am talking about the guy or a group of guys that go to get a starter and bring NOTHING with them. So when you find your car, do you plan to take the bolts out with your teeth or bare hands? Also, if your customer, don't hold up the line 15 minutes asking if a particular part is there or how much does it costs? You can do that on a smart phone on the LKQ app. Be careful when they ring you up, they add the "extended warranty" which is extra. They give you 30 days on all parts. Also, don't complain about a $3 entrance fee, they have lots of over-head and I am sure a massive property bill. I was not happy when they added it, but that is life. Plus I would imagine it eliminates non-serious people. I have seen entire families out there. Dad does not have to go out with his wife, 3 kids, grandma, cousin just to get some wiper blades. read more