U-Pick Parts

was pretty good. and affordable prices compared to el pulpo which now they want to sell the parts like if they were new. so sad to see this yard close. went there for years.

Great finds always at this place. Workers have a great attitude and don’t treat you like a criminal like other junk yards. Their prices are always been fair.

This location is actually pretty good. It goes by the name of EL PULPO which translates to octopus. I came a few days ago to get some parts for my daily commute care (1997 Nissan Sentra). I was able to spot atleast 30 cars from the same year and model. The prices in a way are way cheaper only that sometimes can be a bit pricey. I originally wanted to give them a 3 star rating because everything is good and dandy but I encountered an employee who was really rude. I gave it a 4 star because they are veteran and military friendly. As a Marine combat veteran I was able to get 15% off my entire sale. I have recommended this place to many of my friends and they have expressed their gratitude.

First time I came I didn’t know I needed to bring tools so I left, but I should have just gone in because there are plenty of parts scattered around already disassembled. But I later came back with tools and spent 3 – 4 hrs here and barely got past the first couple rows of cars.
Other than 1 white guy I saw, all the other people there were Mexican and spoke half decent English. Everyone was super nice. I asked one guy if he knew how to remove a part I was trying to get and he proceeded to help me remove it for half an hr.
I found everything I was after plus some. And left exhausted and covered from head to toe in grease, dirt, and sweat. A tell tale sign of a fun day.
I was a bit surprised when leaving about the prices. But what I was charged for the parts I left with was still very reasonable. Just a little bit more than I expected.

Closes at 5:30
Not 6
Selection is bery picked over older cars only 70 – 80’s
Staff sucks

U– Pick Parts was fun to go to. Rummaging through old broke down cars was fun. There are plenty of them there. Unfortunately most of them have been picked clean (I’m talking about the European cars… BMW, Mercedes, Audi) not much to get from any of those. U– Pick Parts has a huge lot with a lot of Toyota’s and a whole (kinda)separate lot with American cars (GM, Ford…) All the cars are older models late to early 90’s not much for mid to late 2000. They also have trucks and motorcycles there to pick from as well. I went for AC parts and little switches for a 2001 CLK 320 Mercedes, they had no cars there that match that. But as a car junkie and one that likes to get dirty I loved waking around the lot and checking out everything they had. I was able to find one little button to control my mirrors in a different model of Mercedes and they charged me pennies. If you’re looking for some parts for an older car and you have the time to really do a good search and roam around in the lot. I would definitely recommend going and checking it out. There is a $ 2.00 entry fee. Bring your tools, they have carts to carry the parts you find and also wash stations to wash up after your day of scouring. Like I said if you have the time, go check it out. You never know what you can find.

There isn’t much to say about this yard. If you have an old BMW or Volvo this is the place, other import makes are underrepresented. Mostly very old cars and the selection is limited. They ‘don’t keep inventory’ according to the gate keeper. Whatever, waste of money and time.

Very cool. Went on a weekend day, they weren’t open, but the man on the grounds still helped us find my part. a $ 150 hubcap for $ 25. not a bad find. Will be back for more parts.

wow great prices good inventory good service A+

When you can go in and find an air conditioner compressor for a 1999 Saturn SL2 for $ 42 bucks (okay, it was half-​price thanks to their holiday sale, but still), you’re going to walk away happy. Especially when the cheapest prices you’ll find for it online range from 120 up to 400. Thanks, guys!

GREAT!
I found exactly what I needed (with a bit of time). I love walking around and searching. $ 2 entry… reasonable. Many cars to look at, especially if you have an AMERICAN vehicle. I was also able to buy a tennis racket? Reasonable prices. It’s worth the hike out to Sun Valley. I always have fun when I have to go to the junkyard. MISC people and employees have also helped me when I did not have the proper tool, which was a major help and time saver.

Been to couple junkyards and this one is pretty good! Got to show up early though thats when they barely put out some of the new cars all the Hondas go quick though!

NOVEMBER 2ND 2015 UPDATE:
Came back to this location. I knew something was wrong when $ 2 entrance fee was waived. Also, there were lots of empty rows where vehicles occupy.
I just ascertained the bad news. Sad to say that this junk yard is shutting down for good on December 31^st, 2015. This is official confirmation from and not a rumor.
Im not sure if LKQ acquisition is the reason why this junk yard is shutting down. They did buy up all pickyourpart locations and most recently the ecology locations as well. That may be reason for U Pick Parts in Sun Valley permanent closure. Im not sure. But it seems that all of these junk yards are being absorbed by LKQ.
This is not good for consumers.
END NOVEMBER 2ND 2015 UPDATE.
ORIGINAL 2012 review:
This junkyard is actually a sister location of U Pick Parts on Alameda in Los Angeles. That’s just a little triviab for you. But I decided to make the 15 mile drive out to Sun Valley when yesterday. No I didn’t go near that Pick Your Part crappy junkyard on Pendleton, despite their 50% off weekend special (read my review about that overpriced place to find out why).
This place only 1 junkyard. No stupid primo yard for an extra $ 2. Their parking lot is crap. It shares it with a billion adjacent businesses. I guess they are all related. But I had a hard time finding a nice parking space.
You pay $ 2 entrance fee and there is a security gaurd who inspects your tool bag and waive the anti-​theft metal detactor device over you when your are exiting the faciality. Not that many people must come to this place. because I can imagine if they did, the lines wiould be extra long at the exit since its only 1 guy and he spends about 2 minutes with each person.
The junkyard is clean like U Pick Parts Alameda. Which is great. They also have shopping carts like U Pick Parts Alameda. That’s great as well. However, this lot is at least twice the size of Alameda location.
They have a pretty good selection of Ford and GM cars. I wasn’t really paying attention to Chrysler. But I couldnt help but notice that they had a lot of PT Cruisers. I rarely see PT Cruisers at junkyards… well they are usually allocated to «Primo» lots. So, this is good for PT Cruiser owners.
Their cars all have dates on them like Alameda location. So that’s good to know which ones are fresh and which ones been sitting for months.
Their prices are almost identical to those of Pick Your Part prices when they are 50% off (Pick Your Part in Sun Valley, Wilmington, etc). That’s pretty sad that regular prices at U Pick Parts are either idental or lower than Pick Your Part prices when they are having their monthly 50% off sale.
Overall, this is a decent junkyard. Never overcrowded, great selection of cars, and clean. Only gripe is their small parking lot

Its a junkyard. You go there with your spare tools, obviously, leave the name brand tools at home because things get lost/​stolen at scrapyards. Jump in and rummage for something of value. Overall, its fairly clean and organized. Cars are not too new, so your pickings are fairly slim.

This is a pretty big yard. Bigger than the one in Wilmington.
You might consider the $ 2 admission to be tuition. You get to practice removing parts on an expendable vehicle before putting your «baby» at risk. Also you get a pretty good idea whether the project is within your skillset and toolset before making a big investment. I’ve occasionally broken the first part I’ve tried to remove. No problemo!

its ok… I like willmington a bit more cause there are 3 really nearby, although one of them is Ecology and the prices are even better… look if you have the tools and you are mechanically inclined then try these options they can pay off (save) big

Just a note: This is the domestic car yard…
MY REVIEW IS ACTUALLY FOR THE FOREIGN YARD ON TELFAIR…
If you fix your own car… or shall i say am willing to work on your car… this place is awesome! not only has it taught me how to remove and fix every nut and bolt in my e30, but it has basically allowed me to build and fix my car for next to nothing!
bring a $ 2 entrance fee and some extra cash/​atm card for parts you might find… then grab a Target shopping cart in the parking lot, your tools… and then, Its all about the thrill of the hunt… since im currently building my bmw e30, I just look for BMWs and e30’s, but also see lots of japanese cars, benzes, and volvos when I go.
hoods, fenders, consoles, vents, exhausts, control arms, engines, transmissions, sunroofs, seats, trim, auto glass… you name it, its there… and even if its not there, all you gotta do is be creative. maybe just pull some stuff out and break it to learn how it works, take some extra light bulbs, fuses, some color coded wires, nuts and bolts, or parts that are known to fail on the car, and you just made the trip all worth it! i know people who go there, get parts, and then ebay or craigslist them for double the cost! Ive even gotten lucky and scored some really rare and collectable parts there.
where else can you get a $ 400 factory painted hood or some fenders for $ 35, some $ 200 bilstein shocks and taillights for $ 13, a transmission for about $ 200…you just cant beat it!.. all you gotta do is get some tools, go out, and search. if you get there, and dont know how to do something, theres always someone thats willing to help out a bit.
Keep poaching the yard, because there are always treasures to be found there!