Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 145,979	$ 99,063
Less: net income attributable to continuing noncontrolling interest	740	1,015
Less: net income attributable to discontinued noncontrolling interest	103	0
Net income attributable to LKQ stockholders	145,136	98,048
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	(103,965)	(9,895)
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax	(7,321)	(2,737)
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on pension plans, net of tax	120	191
Net change in other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries	(1,852)	(3,463)
Other comprehensive loss	(113,018)	(15,904)
Comprehensive income	32,961	83,159
Less: comprehensive income attributable to continuing noncontrolling interest	740	1,015
Less: comprehensive income attributable to discontinued noncontrolling interest	103	0
Comprehensive income attributable to LKQ stockholders	$ 32,118	$ 82,144