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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 QuLfy+KUkIEQeMMGFYbIeQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001262862-10-000008.txt : 20100113
<SEC-HEADER>0001262862-10-000008.hdr.sgml : 20100113
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100113153546
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001262862-10-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100112
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100113
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100113

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LKQ CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001065696
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MOTOR VEHICLES & MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & SUPPLIES [5010]
		IRS NUMBER:				364215970
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 NORTH LASALLE STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3300
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60602

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 N LASALLE STREET
		STREET 2:		STE 3300
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60602

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOLSTEN JOSEPH M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001263332

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-50404
		FILM NUMBER:		10525094
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-01-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001065696</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LKQ CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LKQX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001263332</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOLSTEN JOSEPH M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LKQ CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>120 NORTH LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60602</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5815</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.5</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>511185</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The sales disclosed on this Form 4 were effected pursuant to a 10b5-1 plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The price reflects the weighted average sale price of the transactions reported.  The price range of such transactions was $20.50 to $20.5013.  The reporting person undertakes to provide upon the request by the Commission staff, the issuer, or a security holder of the issuer full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Victor M. Casini, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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