Reconciliation Of Segment EBITDA To Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Reconciliation of Segment Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation And Amortization to Net Income Table [Line Items]
Net income	$ 193,931	$ 152,593	$ 458,680	$ 403,761
Less: net (loss) income attributable to continuing noncontrolling interest	448	(46)	1,166	2,321
Less: net income attributable to discontinued noncontrolling interest	0	(376)	(103)	(568)
Net income attributable to LKQ stockholders	193,483	152,263	457,411	400,872
Net income from discontinued operations	0	(781)	638	(1,179)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	193,483	151,858	458,152	400,261
Depreciation and amortization	68,655	71,513	199,897	213,349
Cost, Depreciation	7,067	5,391	16,162	15,916
Depreciation and Amortization - Restructuring Expenses	605	974	4,577	974
Interest expense, net of interest income	25,182	32,104	76,729	104,077
(Gain) loss on debt extinguishment	0	(128)	12,751	(128)
Provision for income taxes	78,510	57,747	180,790	165,122
EBITDA	373,502	319,459	949,058	899,571
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	4,113	4,232	1,980	(33,745)
Restructuring Charges And Business Combination Acquisition Related Costs net of Restructuring Depreciation	19,890	7,955	47,838	19,639
CostofGoodsSoldRestructuringCharges	833	17,130	6,494	17,130
Loss on disposal of businesses and impairment of net assets held for sale	(503)	(3,601)	1,733	44,919
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability	(147)	(225)	(575)	71
Segment EBITDA	$ 389,462	$ 336,486	$ 1,002,568	$ 1,015,075