Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 134,480	$ 122,381	$ 445,109	$ 409,573
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	378		1,040
Net income attributable to LKQ stockholders	134,102	122,381	444,069	409,573
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	(20,951)	59,618	(77,630)	174,794
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax	304	(1,776)	5,964	457
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on pension plans, net of tax	1,274	150	(154)	(4,053)
Net change in other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries	643	(1,034)	2,160	(1,635)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(18,730)	56,658	(69,660)	169,563
Comprehensive income	115,750	179,039	375,449	579,136
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	378		1,040
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LKQ stockholders	115,372	179,039	374,409	579,136
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	134,102		444,069
Net income attributable to LKQ stockholders	134,102	122,381	444,069	409,573
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	(20,951)	59,618	(77,630)	174,794
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax	304	(1,776)	5,964	457
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on pension plans, net of tax	(1,274)	150	(154)	(4,053)
Net change in other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries	643	(1,034)	2,160	(1,635)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(18,730)	56,658	(69,660)	169,563
Comprehensive income	115,372		374,409
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LKQ stockholders	115,372	179,039	374,409	579,136
Guarantors
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	109,676		387,173
Net income attributable to LKQ stockholders	109,676	107,782	387,173	343,100
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	1,686	3,590	(2,800)	17,565
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax				(133)
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on pension plans, net of tax	(1,246)		(239)	(3,253)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	2,932	3,590	(3,039)	14,179
Comprehensive income	112,608		384,134
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LKQ stockholders	112,608	111,372	384,134	357,279
Non-Guarantors
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	24,914		82,931
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	378		1,040
Net income attributable to LKQ stockholders	24,536	34,602	81,891	124,038
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	(23,901)	62,734	(81,456)	176,769
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on pension plans, net of tax	(28)	150	85	(800)
Net change in other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries	643	(1,034)	2,160	(1,635)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(23,230)	61,550	(79,211)	174,334
Comprehensive income	1,684		3,720
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	378		1,040
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LKQ stockholders	1,306	96,152	2,680	298,372
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(134,212)		(469,064)
Net income attributable to LKQ stockholders	(134,212)	(142,384)	(469,064)	(467,138)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	22,215	(66,324)	84,256	(194,334)
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax				133
Net change in unrealized gains/losses on pension plans, net of tax	1,274	(150)	154	4,053
Net change in other comprehensive loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries	(643)	1,034	(2,160)	1,635
Other comprehensive (loss) income	20,298	(65,140)	82,250	(188,513)
Comprehensive income	(113,914)		(386,814)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LKQ stockholders	$ (113,914)	$ (207,524)	$ (386,814)	$ (655,651)