New crate engine, reconditioned engine or used engine: which suits you?
When an engine fails, there are three usual ways to get the vehicle back on the road: a new crate engine, a reconditioned engine, or a used engine. We sell new crate engines and we recondition engines in our Auburn machine shop, so we see both sides. We do not sell used engines, but we include them here so you can compare.
Side by side
Swipe across the table to see all columns.
| New crate engineReco sells these | Reconditioned engineReco rebuilds these | Used engineReco does not sell these | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A brand new long bare engine, never run in a vehicle | Your own engine, stripped, machined and rebuilt with new parts where needed | An engine taken from another vehicle |
| History | None: new | Known: it is your engine, inspected in our machine shop | Usually unknown: mileage, servicing and how it was driven |
| Warranty from Reco | Yes, on the engine we supply. See our warranty | Yes, on the parts and work listed on the invoice | Not from Reco. Depends on the seller |
| Price guide | Shown on every engine: $4,150 to $8,950 on our current list, plus freight or fitting | Fixed quote after teardown | Varies. Check what is included |
| Time | Fitting jobs take one to three weeks; engine only ships once paid | Ask us for an estimate for your engine | Depends on the seller |
| Best for | A listed engine code, a badly damaged engine, or a known price | A serviceable engine, or a code with no new engine listed | A low budget, accepting more risk |
What is the difference between new, reconditioned and used?
A new crate engine is a brand new engine assembly. Ours are long bare engines: the block and cylinder head assembled, with or without the timing done. External parts move across from your old engine.
A reconditioned engine is your own engine rebuilt. We strip it, clean it and inspect it. If it is serviceable, we machine and rebuild it with new parts where needed, at a fixed price.
A used engine comes out of another vehicle. It may run well, but you rarely know how it was driven or serviced.
Which suits you?
Choose a new crate engine if...
- we list a new engine for your engine code;
- your engine is badly damaged, for example a cracked block;
- you want a known price before the job starts.
Choose reconditioning if...
- your engine is serviceable once it has been stripped and inspected;
- there is no new engine listed for your code;
- you want to keep the engine that came with the vehicle.
A used engine may suit if...
- the budget is the main concern and you accept an unknown history;
- the seller gives you a warranty you can rely on.
Questions
Is a reconditioned engine as good as a new one?
It depends on the engine. A rebuild replaces the worn parts and machines the rest back into shape, but some parts are your original parts. A new engine starts with no wear at all. The teardown tells us which way makes sense for your engine. We give you a fixed quote for the rebuild, so you can compare it with the price of a new engine.
How do I decide quickly?
Send us the vehicle and the engine code. If we list a new engine for it, you see the price straight away. If a rebuild is an option, we explain what the teardown involves. Not sure? Send an enquiry and choose "Not sure".
See also: engine questions answered, how it works and our warranty.
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