Reconciliation Of Segment EBITDA To Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			15 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net income attributable to LKQ stockholders	$ 124,171	$ 122,381	$ 150,914	$ 136,278	$ 86,331	$ 122,688	$ 142,785	$ 112,171	$ 533,744	$ 463,975	$ 423,223
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(3,516)								(3,516)	0	0
Net income									530,228	463,975	423,223
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									(3,516)	0	0
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations	$ (2,215)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (4,531)	$ (9,967)	$ 12,844	$ 4,975		(6,746)	7,852	0
Net income from continuing operations attributable to LKQ stockholders									540,490	456,123	423,223
Depreciation and amortization									219,546	191,433	122,120
Depreciation and amortization - cost of goods sold									10,657	6,901	6,072
Interest expense, net									100,620	87,682	57,342
Loss on debt extinguishment									(456)	(26,650)	0
Provision for income taxes									235,560	220,566	219,703
EBITDA									1,107,329	989,355	828,460
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries									5,907	(592)	(6,104)
Gains on foreign exchange contracts - acquisition related									0	18,342	0
Gains on bargain purchases									3,870	8,207	0	$ 10,000
Restructuring and acquisition related expenses									19,672	37,762	19,511
Inventory step-up adjustment - acquisition related									3,584	3,614	0
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities									4,218	(206)	(454)
Segment EBITDA									$ 1,116,590	$ 1,004,980	$ 854,529