Used 4 Cylinder Engines for Sale – Tested, Low Mileage & Ships Worldwide

Four-cylinder engines are the backbone of the global automotive industry. They power economy cars, crossovers, compact trucks, daily drivers, and even a few performance machines that punch well above their weight. When one fails, replacing it shouldn’t break the bank. At Best Automobile Parts, we stock a deep inventory of used 4 cylinder engines sourced from low-mileage vehicles worldwide, and we ship them anywhere on the planet.

Four-cylinder replacements make economic sense in a way that’s hard to argue with. The car itself might be worth $8,000. A new engine might cost $4,000 to $7,000. A solid used 4 cylinder engine from us? Often between $500 and $2,000. The math is simple and mechanics across the world do these swaps every week.

What Makes a Used 4 Cylinder Engine Worth Buying?

The honest answer is: provenance and documentation. A used 4 cylinder engine pulled from a three-year-old vehicle that was totaled in a front-end collision at 35,000 miles is genuinely good hardware. The engine never knew anything was wrong. It just stopped getting fuel one day. That engine, properly inspected, is worth buying.

What you want to avoid is an engine with no history, no documentation, and no inspection record. That’s what junk yards used to sell before the industry got more organized. We are not that. Every engine we ship has been checked for compression, inspected for sludge, and documented for mileage at pull. If it doesn’t pass those basics, it doesn’t go in the catalog.

We also stock certified used engines for buyers who want a higher level of verification on their purchase — these go through more thorough testing and come with additional documentation.

Most Popular Used 4 Cylinder Engines in Our Inventory

Here’s what we move most. These are the engines that come through our warehouse regularly and that we can usually supply on relatively short notice:

Toyota 2ZR-FE / 2ZR-FAE – 1.8L

This engine powered the Corolla, Matrix, and Prius V from around 2008 onward. The base 2ZR-FE makes about 132 hp. The valvematic version (2ZR-FAE) improves efficiency with variable lift control. These are incredibly clean, reliable engines that last a long time — which is why low-mileage examples are easy to find and still worth buying. Displacement: 1,798cc. Bore x stroke: 80.5mm x 88.3mm.

Honda K24A / K24Z – 2.4L

One of the most respected four-cylinders ever built. Found in Accords, CRVs, Elements, and Odysseys. DOHC i-VTEC setup with 166–205 hp depending on variant. The K-series engines are famous for their strength, parts availability, and tolerance for high mileage when maintained. Displacement: 2,354cc. Compression ratio: 9.7:1 to 10.5:1. We keep K24 stock deep because demand is constant.

Honda R18A / R20A – 1.8L / 2.0L

These are the economy workhorses — found in the Civic and CR-V. The R18A makes 140 hp from 1,799cc. The R20A stretches to 2,000cc for 150–155 hp. SOHC i-VTEC setups with excellent fuel economy. These are JDM engines that come through our stock regularly at very low mileage because Japanese domestic market vehicles are well-maintained and often replaced early.

Toyota 1NZ-FE – 1.5L

The 1NZ runs in the Yaris, Vios, Echo, and early Prius. Aluminum block and head, DOHC, VVT-i. Output: 106 hp from 1,497cc. Extremely lightweight at around 78 kg. These are popular worldwide because the Yaris and Vios platform is driven all over Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Low mileage Japanese examples are common in our stock. Visit our Used Japanese Engines page for full JDM 4-cylinder listings.

Toyota 2NZ-FE – 1.3L

Smaller sibling to the 1NZ, found in the Yaris and Platz. 87 hp from 1,298cc. Compact, light, and durable. Common in right-hand-drive markets. If you’re replacing an engine in a small Toyota in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or Southeast Asia, this is likely on your list.

Volkswagen / Audi EA888 – 1.8T / 2.0T

The EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder powers half of the Volkswagen Group’s lineup — Golf GTI, Jetta, Audi A4, Tiguan, and more. Depending on the generation and tune, output ranges from 150 hp (base 1.8T) up to 220+ hp in the 2.0T performance variants. DOHC with direct injection and variable cam timing. Timing chain concerns on Gen 1 and Gen 2 are well-documented, so always ask about the service history. See our Used European Engines catalog for available EA888 stock.

BMW N20B20 – 2.0L Turbocharged

BMW’s 2.0L turbo four replaced the naturally aspirated N53 and runs in the 320i, 420i, 528i (early), and X1/X3 xDrive28i. Output: 181–245 hp. TwinPower Turbo with Valvetronic and double-VANOS. These are refined, smooth-running engines. When they do come up for sale, they’re typically from low-mileage European or Australian market vehicles.

Mazda SkyActiv-G 2.0 / 2.5 – PE-VPS / PY-VPS

The SkyActiv four-cylinders are known for their exceptionally high compression ratios (13:1 naturally aspirated) and excellent fuel economy without sacrificing usability. The 2.0L makes 155 hp and the 2.5L makes 184–187 hp. Found in Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-5, and CX-9. Clean, modern engines that respond well to proper maintenance. JDM-sourced SkyActiv engines come through our inventory at excellent mileage.

Ford EcoBoost 2.0L / 1.6L / 1.5L

Ford’s turbocharged four-cylinder family runs in the Focus, Escape, Fusion, and Edge. The 2.0L EcoBoost makes 245 hp in higher output versions. The 1.6L and 1.5L are fuel-economy focused variants with 150–179 hp. Direct injection and turbo means more to inspect during purchasing — carbon buildup on intake valves is a known issue on direct-injection fours — but properly sourced units are solid engines.

Used 4 Cylinder Engines for Economy Cars and Compacts

Used 4 cylinder engines are the most common replacement in the economy car segment because these vehicles often outlast one engine with proper care. The Toyota Corolla is the perfect example — the body, transmission, and suspension might be fine at 200,000 miles, but the original engine needs to come out. Drop in a low-mileage 2ZR and you’ve got another decade in that car.

Same story for Honda Civics, Mazda3s, VW Golfs, Ford Focuses, and Nissan Sentras. These are practical cars that make economic sense to keep alive with a quality engine swap.

For sedan-specific engine stock, check our Used Sedan Engines page where we’ve organized the inventory around common sedan platforms.

Used 4 Cylinder Engines for Crossovers and Compact SUVs

The crossover market runs almost entirely on four-cylinders. Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, Nissan Rogue — all of them use four-cylinder engines as their base or only powerplant. When these need engine replacements, the used 4 cylinder engine route is almost always the recommendation because the vehicle value supports the repair.

Crossovers tend to have higher mileage because people drive them daily and put years on them. A used four-cylinder swap at 150,000 miles on a Toyota RAV4 is completely reasonable if the rest of the vehicle is sound.

Browse our Used SUV Engines page for crossover-specific stock sorted by make and application.

Used 4 Cylinder Engines for Performance Applications

Not all four-cylinders are economy engines. The Honda B18C Type R makes 197–200 hp from 1.8L naturally aspirated — one of the highest specific outputs of any non-turbo four ever made. The Toyota 4A-GE makes 125–170 hp from 1.6L depending on revision, and it powered AE86s that people still race today. The Subaru EJ20 and EJ25 turbocharged flat-fours have been the heart of the WRX platform for decades.

These engines matter to enthusiasts and builders. When they wear out or get damaged, finding a quality replacement is critical. We source JDM Type R engines, late-spec 4A-GE units, and EJ20/EJ25 turbocharged engines regularly. If you’re after something specific in this category, reach out and tell us what revision and spec you need — we can usually locate it.

For turbocharged four-cylinders specifically, also see our Used Turbo Engines page where we break out boosted stock separately.

Japanese Market 4 Cylinder Engines – Why They’re the Best Source

Japan has some of the tightest vehicle inspection standards in the world. Cars that fail the Shaken inspection (Japan’s MOT equivalent) often have perfectly good engines — the reason for failure might be rust on the body panels, worn suspension components, or emissions equipment issues. The engine itself is fine and has been properly maintained with documented service records.

JDM four-cylinder engines typically come in with 40,000 to 80,000 kilometers on them — roughly 25,000 to 50,000 miles. For the Toyota and Honda four-cylinders especially, these are engines with enormous remaining life. That’s why we source heavily from Japan and why our JDM stock tends to sell fast.

See the full range at our Imported Used Engines page.

Worldwide Shipping on All Used 4 Cylinder Engines

We ship used 4 cylinder engines worldwide. The United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Kenya, the UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and many more. Our freight process handles customs documentation properly so engines clear customs without delays.

Four-cylinder engines are lighter and easier to ship than V8s and V6s, which generally means lower freight costs. If you’re comparing sourcing locally versus ordering from us with worldwide shipping — the total landed cost from us is usually competitive even after freight.

The straight-four engine article on Wikipedia gives good background on the design principles that make these engines so efficient and durable, and Car and Driver’s overview of great four-cylinders is worth reading if you want perspective on which engines have held up best over time.

Pricing on Used 4 Cylinder Engines

Ballpark pricing to set expectations:

• Toyota 1NZ-FE 1.5L: $450 – $950
• Toyota 2ZR-FE 1.8L: $550 – $1,100
• Honda K24A 2.4L: $700 – $1,600
• Honda R18A 1.8L: $500 – $1,000
• Mazda SkyActiv 2.0L: $600 – $1,200
• VW/Audi EA888 2.0T: $900 – $2,200
• BMW N20B20 2.0T: $1,100 – $2,800
• Ford EcoBoost 2.0L: $800 – $1,900

Stock turns over constantly so actual pricing is on the listings. We price honestly because we’d rather have you come back than squeeze every dollar from one transaction.

How to Order

Find the engine that matches your application, confirm displacement, DOHC/SOHC configuration, and any specific variant differences between years. If you’re not sure, contact us with your VIN and we’ll help identify the right match. We’d rather take five minutes to confirm compatibility than ship you something that needs a second look.

Payment is secure and shipments are tracked from our door to yours. Order your used 4 cylinder engine today from a supplier that actually knows what it’s selling.