Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Oct. 20, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-50404
Entity Registrant Name	LKQ CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-4215970
Entity Address, Address Line One	500 West Madison Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 2800
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60661
City Area Code	312
Local Phone Number	621-1950
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
Trading Symbol	LKQ
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		267,598,319
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0001065696
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31