How to photograph used auto parts so they sell on eBay.

Photographs carry more weight for a used part than for almost anything else sold online. There is no catalog picture to fall back on, condition varies from one part to the next, and the buyer is matching what they see against the part on their own vehicle.

eBay's photo rules

eBay's rules for listing photos are short. The ones that matter to a yard:

• Photograph the actual part

  Stock photos are not allowed for pre-owned items, and a catalog image cannot be the main photo. A used part has to be shown as it is.

• At least 500 pixels

  eBay requires at least 500 pixels on the longest side and suggests 800 to 1,600. Any phone camera clears that easily.

• No borders, text or logos

  Added borders, text such as “Free Shipping”, seller logos and watermarks of any kind are not allowed on the photo itself. Those details belong in the title and description.

eBay notes that Vehicle Parts & Accessories can be exempt from some of these requirements. Meeting them anyway costs nothing, and no listing has to be revisited later.

The shots to take

• The whole part

  One photo straight on, with the whole part in frame and filling most of it. It is the photo that shows in search results, so it goes first.

• Every side and the mounting points

  Top, bottom and sides, plus where the part bolts on and plugs in: mounting tabs, bolt holes, connectors and hose fittings. These are what a buyer compares against the part they are replacing.

• The part number and labels

  A clear, readable shot of any part number, tag or label. It is often the one photo that settles whether the part fits.

• Damage, close up

  Cracks, broken tabs, scratches and wear, each shown plainly. A flaw the buyer saw before buying is a sale; one they find on arrival is a return.

For an engine or transmission, add what speaks to condition: the casting or family number, the oil on the dipstick, and the donor's mileage if it is known. For an electrical part, the connector pins. For a body panel, the paint code and the face of the panel at an angle that shows any dents.

Light and background

Daylight or soft, even light beats a flash, which throws glare off metal and hides detail in shadow. A plain background, such as a sheet of cardboard, a clean bench or a painted wall, keeps the eye on the part. Wipe off loose dirt and fluid first, but leave honest wear alone. Hold the phone steady and let it focus before taking the shot.

Photograph at the car, not later

The usual way parts get photographed is the slowest: pull the part, carry it to a photo bench, shoot it, then match the photos back to the right stock number at a desk. Every hand-off is a chance for a photo to land on the wrong part, and parts wait in a pile for their turn.

The faster way is to photograph each part where it is, with the same phone that identifies it: scan the part's tag, take the photos, and they are attached to that part before anyone walks away. The photos are ready the moment the part is listed, and nobody has to remember which picture was which.

Questions yards ask

Can I use stock photos for used auto parts on eBay?

No. eBay does not allow stock photos for pre-owned items, and a catalog image cannot be the main photo. Photograph the actual part you are selling.

What size should eBay photos be?

At least 500 pixels on the longest side; eBay suggests 800 to 1,600. A modern phone camera exceeds that.

Can I put my yard's logo on the photos?

No. eBay does not allow added text, logos or watermarks on listing photos. Put your yard's name in the description instead.

How many photos does a used part need?

Enough to show the whole part, every side, the mounting points, the part number and any damage. For most parts that is four to eight.

Should I show damage in the photos?

Yes. A flaw the buyer saw before buying is a sale; one they discover when the part arrives is a return.