If your car needs another battery, don't pay full price on a brand new one. Instead, buy a used battery and save some money in the process. If you're not sure where to go for a used car battery, head to the local salvage yard. You'll find a wide variety of options to choose from. You'll just need to bring your own tools. If you're not sure what to look for in a used battery, take a look at the list provided below. Here are some valuable tips that will help you avoid problems when purchasing a used car battery from a salvage yard. 

Don't Rely on Memory

If you're going to head to a salvage yard to pick up a used battery, know what you're looking for. It's not enough to simply jot down the voltage numbers that you're looking for. You also need to worry about the size of the battery and the position of the terminals. Choosing a battery that's the wrong size, or that has the terminals on the wrong side, will defeat the purpose and send you back to the salvage yard for another battery. To avoid problems, don't rely on your memory. Instead, take a picture of your current battery. That way, you can refer back to it while you're looking for a new one. 

Assess the Damage

When purchasing a used battery from a salvage yard, it's important that you assess the damage. You don't want to purchase a battery that has any type of visible damage, especially cracks or leaks. You also don't want to purchase a battery from a car that's suffered from front-end accident damage. The battery could have internal damage that you can't see. For maximum protection, choose a battery from a car that doesn't show any signs of visible front-end accident damage. 

Check Multiple Cars

One of the great things about purchasing a used battery from a salvage yard is that there are so many to choose from. With that in mind, it's important that you check multiple cars before choosing the battery you intend to purchase. Checking multiple cars will allow you to assess the condition of more than one used battery. While checking the batteries, be sure to read the labels. The labels will provide you with valuable information, including when the batteries were manufactured, which will let you know how old they are. You want to choose the newest battery with the least amount of visible wear and tear.