OReillys
Your check engine light just came on. Your car groans every time you turn the key. Or maybe you just need new wiper blades before a storm. For millions of drivers, the next stop is the store with the green sign: O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Most people just call it O’Reillys, and you can find one in almost every town in America. This guide covers what you can get there for free, how to save money, what to know before you go, and how a single shop in Missouri grew into one of the biggest auto parts chains in the world.
The Short Version
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A chain of auto parts stores for do-it-yourself drivers and professional shops |
| Founded | December 2, 1957, Springfield, Missouri |
| Founders | Charles F. “C.F.” O’Reilly and his son, Charles H. “Chub” O’Reilly |
| Headquarters | Springfield, Missouri |
| Stores | 6,758 as of September 30, 2026 |
| Countries | United States, Mexico, and Canada |
| CEO | Brad Beckham |
| Stock ticker | ORLY on the Nasdaq |
| Best free perks | Battery testing, check engine light scans, starter and alternator tests, recycling |
What You Can Get for Free
This is the part most drivers care about. O’Reillys offers several services at no cost, and knowing about them can save you a trip to the mechanic.
Check Engine Light Scans
When your check engine light comes on, a store team member can plug a scanner into your car and read the trouble codes. They use VeriScan readers that work on any 1996 or newer passenger vehicle. The codes point to what might be wrong, and staff can suggest common causes.
Good to know:
- The scan tells you the code, not always the exact fix.
- A loose gas cap can trigger the light, so check that first.
- If the code points to something serious, like a misfire, get it looked at soon.
Battery Testing and Charging
Staff can test your battery in the car or on the counter. The test shows whether the battery is weak, needs a charge, or is fine and the real problem is your starter or charging system. Many battery types can be recharged in the store.
Free Battery Installation
If you buy a new battery there, staff will install it for free in many vehicles. Some cars have batteries in tricky spots, like under a seat or behind a wheel well, and those may not qualify.
Starter and Alternator Testing
If your car won’t start but the battery tests fine, the starter or alternator might be the problem. O’Reillys can test both on the vehicle, or on a bench tester in the store if you’ve already pulled the part.
Wiper Blade and Bulb Installation
Buy wiper blades or headlight and tail light bulbs, and staff can often put them on for you while you wait. Some vehicles with hard-to-reach lights may be excluded.
Recycling
You can drop off used motor oil, gear oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and old batteries. When you return an undamaged automotive battery that isn’t a core return, you can get a $10 gift card. Rules vary by location because local laws differ.
Bilingual Help
Some stores have team members who speak more than one language. The languages offered vary by store.
Services That Cost a Little
Not everything is free, but these are still good deals.
| Service | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Loaner tool program | You pay a deposit equal to the tool’s value and get it back when you return the tool |
| Brake drum and rotor resurfacing | Available at many stores for a small fee |
The loaner tool program is a favorite with home mechanics. Instead of buying a pricey specialty tool you’ll use once, you borrow it, use it, and bring it back for your deposit.
Before You Go: A Simple Checklist
To make your trip quick, have this ready:
- Year, make, and model of your car. This is the most important detail.
- Engine size. Many parts differ by engine, so check your owner’s manual or the sticker under the hood.
- Your VIN. The vehicle identification number helps staff find exact parts. It’s on your dashboard near the windshield and on your registration.
- The old part. If you’ve removed it, bring it. Matching it side by side helps avoid mistakes.
- Your core charge receipt. Many parts, like batteries and alternators, carry a core charge you get back when you return the old part.
How to Save Money
Check Online First
The O’Reilly website and app let you search for parts, compare brands, and check whether your local store has them in stock. You can buy online and pick up in store, often the same day.
Join the Rewards Program
O’Reillys has a free loyalty program called O’Rewards. You earn points on purchases, which can turn into savings on future buys.
Ask About Brand Options
Stores often carry several brands of the same part at different prices. A budget brand might be fine for an older car, while a premium part with a longer warranty may make sense for a daily driver.
Return Your Cores
Don’t throw away your old battery, alternator, or starter if you paid a core charge. Bring it back and get that money returned.
DIY or Pro? Who Shops There
O’Reillys serves two kinds of customers, a plan the company calls its dual-market strategy. It started using this approach in 1978.
| Customer | What They Buy | Why They Shop There |
|---|---|---|
| Do-it-yourself drivers | Oil, filters, wipers, batteries, brakes | Free services, helpful staff, easy returns |
| Professional mechanics and shops | Parts delivered to their garages | Fast delivery and a wide inventory |
Serving both groups helps the company stay busy all week. Professional shops order during work hours, while weekend DIY drivers keep stores busy on Saturdays.
A Short History
The First Store
On December 2, 1957, Charles F. O’Reilly and his son, Chub, opened their first store in Springfield, Missouri. They had 13 employees, and several of them were also stockholders. C.F. had already spent years in the auto parts business in the area.
Steady Growth
The company grew at a steady pace at first. It opened its second store in 1965 and its 100th in 1989. In 1993, it went public on the Nasdaq under the ticker ORLY.
Big Deals
A few key moves turned the regional chain into a national giant:
- 1998: Bought Hi/LO Auto Supply, adding 182 stores in Texas and Louisiana.
- 2008: Bought CSK Auto, the parent of Checker, Schuck’s, Kragen, and Murray’s, adding about 1,342 stores in 12 states.
- 2019: Bought Mayasa Auto Parts in Mexico, its first move outside the U.S.
- 2024: Bought Groupe Del Vasto in Canada, adding 23 stores later branded Parts City.
Milestones
- 2017: Opened its 5,000th store and turned 60.
- 2023: Opened its 6,000th store.
- 2025: Announced a 15-for-1 stock split.
O’Reillys in 2026
The company is having a strong year. Here are the numbers from its third quarter, released October 28, 2026:
| Measure | Q3 2026 |
|---|---|
| Sales | $5.12 billion, up 9% |
| Comparable store sales | Up 7.2% |
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.97, up 14% |
| New stores opened in the quarter | 63 |
| Total stores | 6,758 |
| Stores in the U.S. | 6,595 |
| Stores in Mexico | 134 |
| Stores in Canada | 29 |
CEO Brad Beckham credited “Team O’Reilly’s dedication” for the gains. The company also raised its full-year outlook, now expecting $19.0 billion to $19.3 billion in revenue and 225 to 235 net new stores in 2026.
Why Business Is Booming
A few trends help auto parts stores right now:
- Older cars. Americans are keeping cars longer, which means more repairs.
- High new car prices. Many people choose to fix their current car rather than buy a new one.
- Growing pro business. Repair shops rely on fast parts delivery.
Common Repairs You Can Start With
If you’re new to working on your car, these are good first projects, all with parts you can grab at O’Reillys:
- Replace wiper blades. Takes minutes, and staff can help.
- Change the engine air filter. Often just a few clips to undo.
- Replace the cabin air filter. It often sits behind the glove box.
- Swap a headlight bulb. Check your manual first.
- Top off fluids. Washer fluid, coolant, and oil are easy wins.
- Change your oil. A bigger job, but a classic DIY skill.
Store staff can’t fix your car for you, but they can point you to the right parts and offer tips.
Understanding Warranties
Many parts sold at the store come with warranties, and some carry limited lifetime coverage. Batteries often have a free replacement period, after which you may get a partial credit. Keep your receipt, or make sure the purchase is tied to your phone number or rewards account so staff can look it up.
If a part fails under warranty, bring it back with your receipt. Staff will check it and swap it if it qualifies. For parts like alternators and starters, they can test the failed part in the store to confirm the problem.
Shopping Online vs In Store
| Option | Best For |
|---|---|
| In store | Free testing, advice, and getting the part today |
| Buy online, pick up in store | Skipping the line while still getting the part fast |
| Home delivery | Parts you don’t need right away |
Online shopping at O’Reillys makes it easy to compare brands and read reviews before you buy.
Tips From Regular Shoppers
- Go early on weekends. Saturday afternoons can get busy.
- Call ahead for big parts. Make sure it’s in stock before you drive over.
- Keep your receipts. They make returns and warranty claims easy.
- Ask questions. Team members often have years of hands-on experience.
- Recycle on the same trip. Bring your old oil when you buy new.
Common Questions
Is the check engine scan free? Yes. O’Reillys reads OBD-II codes for free on 1996 and newer passenger vehicles.
Will they install my battery? They’ll install batteries bought there for free in many vehicles, though some are excluded.
Can I borrow tools? Yes, through the loaner tool program. You pay a refundable deposit equal to the tool’s value.
Do they take old oil? Most stores accept used oil and other fluids, but rules vary by location.
How many stores are there? There were 6,758 stores as of September 30, 2026.
Who runs the company? Brad Beckham is the CEO.
Final Thoughts
O’Reillys started as one store with 13 workers in Springfield, Missouri, and grew into a chain of more than 6,700 stores across three countries. For drivers, the biggest perks are the free services: battery tests, check engine scans, starter and alternator tests, and recycling. Knowing about them can save you time, money, and stress.
Next time a warning light pops up, you’ll know where to start.
Key Takeaways
- O’Reilly Auto Parts was founded on December 2, 1957, in Springfield, Missouri, by Charles F. and Chub O’Reilly.
- The company had 6,758 stores in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada as of September 30, 2026.
- Free services include check engine scans, battery testing, starter and alternator tests, and recycling.
- The loaner tool program requires a refundable deposit equal to the tool’s value.
- Q3 2026 sales rose 9% to $5.12 billion, and comparable store sales grew 7.2%.
- Brad Beckham is CEO, and the company expects 225 to 235 net new stores in 2026.
