Changes in Warranty Reserve (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Warranty Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 14,881	$ 12,447
Warranty expense	33,727	30,370
Warranty claims	(31,245)	(27,936)
Ending balance	$ 17,363	$ 14,881

Represents the aggregate increase in the liability for accruals related to standard product warranties issued during the reporting period, along with adjustments to preexisting standard product warranties for changes in estimates. Does not include any increase in the liability for accruals related to extended product warranties.

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lkq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount as of the balance sheet date of the aggregate standard product warranty liability. Does not include the balance for the extended product warranty liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (c)(1),(c)(5)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51674963&loc=d3e12565-110249

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the aggregate decrease in the liability for payments made (in cash or in kind) to satisfy claims under the terms of the standard product warranty. Does not include any Increase or Decrease in the liability for payments related to extended product warranties.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph ((c)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51674963&loc=d3e12565-110249

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration