High gas prices got you down this summer? Save money buy buying quality used auto parts. That's the latest sales pitch of EverDrive LLC, a Richmond-based supplier of recycled auto parts.

Consumers are accustomed to the idea of buying used cars (thanks in large part to CarMax, another Richmond company), but few think about buying used auto parts. A major challenge facing EverDrive, which distributes used auto parts online and through retailers, is to persuade consumers that that used auto parts are a legitimate option.

Summer heat is tough on parts such as engines, transmissions and air conditioner compressors, says CEO Joey Woodfin in a recent press release. If you car succumbs to the high temperatures or shows signs of trouble before you start your vacation, consider a used part rather than new, the company suggests. Used car parts are matched to the specific make and model of your vehicle but can cost 50 percent less than a new part.

When selecting used parts, focus on quality, Woodfin suggests. EverDrive's used parts, including major parts such as used engines, come with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, whether the parts are sold through an EverDrive retail partner or online direct to the consumer.