v2.4.0.8

Long-Term Obligations - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended |  | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended |  |  |  | 0 Months Ended |  |  | 0 Months Ended |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Mar. 27, 2014 Credit Agreement | Mar. 31, 2014 Credit Agreement | Dec. 31, 2013 Credit Agreement | Mar. 31, 2014 Senior notes | Dec. 31, 2013 Senior notes | Sep. 28, 2012 Receivables securitization facility | Mar. 31, 2014 Receivables securitization facility | Dec. 31, 2013 Receivables securitization facility | Mar. 27, 2014 Amended Credit Agreement Credit Agreement | Mar. 27, 2014 Amended Credit Agreement Multicurrency Component [Member] Credit Agreement | Mar. 27, 2014 Amended Credit Agreement US Dollar Component [Member] Credit Agreement | May 03, 2013 Original Credit Agreement Credit Agreement | May 09, 2013 Four Point Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due May 2023
Debt Instrument |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Extension period of maturity date for credit agreement |  |  |  |  | 1 year |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum credit agreement borrowings |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,300,000,000 |  |  | $ 1,800,000,000 |
Maximum revolving credit facility borrowings |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,690,000,000 | 165,000,000 |  |
Debt and capital lease obligations | 1,730,733,000 |  | 1,305,781,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 450,000,000 |  |  |  |
Maximum increase of revolving credit facility or term loans |  |  |  | 400,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum leverage ratio for incremental borrowings |  |  |  | 2.50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Term loan quarterly repayment, percentage of initial balance |  |  |  | 1.25% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Prepayment requirement, duration to reinvest proceeds from sale or disposition of certain assets |  |  |  | 12 months |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum net leverage ratio |  |  |  | 3.50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum consideration for acquisitions during 12 month period to change the maximum net leverage ratio |  |  |  | 200,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum net leverage ratio subsequent to acquisitions |  |  |  | 4.00 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum interest coverage ratio |  |  |  | 3.00 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Increment change in applicable margin |  |  |  | 0.25% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average interest rates |  |  |  |  | 2.23% | 3.05% |  |  |  | 1.00% |  |  |  |  |  |
Increment change in commitment fees |  |  |  | 0.05% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fronting fee on letters of credit in addition to participation commission |  |  |  | 0.125% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Borrowings under credit agreement, carrying value |  |  |  |  | 992,200,000 | 672,600,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current maturities of credit agreement |  |  |  |  | 22,500,000 | 22,500,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Outstanding letters of credit |  |  |  |  | 60,400,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Availability on the revolving credit facility |  |  |  |  | 1,200,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments of debt issuance costs | 3,753,000 | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fees capitalized |  |  |  | 3,500,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss on debt extinguishment | (324,000) | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 300,000 |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, carrying amount |  |  |  |  |  |  | 600,000,000 | 600,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes interest rate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.75%
Receivables securitization facility term period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Receivables securitization maximum borrowing capacity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 80,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Receivables used as collateral for receivables securitization facility | 127,300,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Margin above LIBOR for receivables secuirtization facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.25% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Borrowings under receivable securitization facility, carrying value | $ 80,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 80,000,000 | $ 0 |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition The increment amount by which the applicable interest rate margin will increase/decrease depending on the total leverage ratio. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_ChangeInIncrementsInApplicableMargin
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The increment amount by which the applicable commitment fee will increase/decrease depending on the total leverage ratio. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_ChangeInIncrementsInCommitmentFee
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The rate used to calculate the fronting fee, which is paid on a quarterly basis, for any letters of credit issued under the credit agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_CommissionOnOutstandingLettersOfCreditAtApplicableRate
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Credit Agreement, Extension Period of Maturity Date + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_CreditAgreementExtensionPeriodofMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total outstanding balance for the credit facility borrowings, including term loan borrowings and line of credit borrowings as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_CreditFacilityBorrowings
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The maximum amount by which the capacity of the revolving credit facility or term loan can be increased. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_IncreaseInBorrowingsTermLoanFacilitiesAndOrRevolvingCreditFacilityMaximum
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum balance that can be borrowed under the credit agreement, including term loan borrowings and revolving credit facility borrowings. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_MaximumCreditAgreementBorrowings
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The maximum leverage ratio permitted for additional borrowings under the credit agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_MaximumLeverageRatioforIncrementalBorrowings
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum net leverage ratio allowed under the restrictive covenants of the credit agreement when the aggregate consideration of permitted acquisitions is below the specified levels. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_MaximumNetLeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum net leverage ratio allowed under the restrictive covenants of the credit agreement when the aggregate consideration of permitted acquisitions is above the specified levels during any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_MaximumNetLeverageRatioSubsequentToAcquisitions
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Minimum interest coverage ratio allowed under the restrictive covenants of the credit agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_MinimumInterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The contract length of the Receivables Securitization facility. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_ReceivablesSecuritizationFacilityTermPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The margin above LIBOR for the Receivables Securitization Facility. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_Receivablessecuritizationlibormargin
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The maximum borrowing capacity under the Receivables Securitization facility. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_ReceivablesSecuritizationMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Minimum fair value, as of the acquisition date, of the aggregate consideration for acquisitions during the prior four consecutive quarters that will allow for the increase in the maximum net leverage ratio within the restrictive covenants of the credit agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_RestrictiveCovenantsOfCreditAgreementMinimumFairValueAtAcquisitionDateOfAggregateConsideration
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Secured Debt, Prepayment Requirement, Duration to Reinvest Proceeds from Sale or Disposition of Certain Assets + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_SecuredDebtPrepaymentRequirementDurationtoReinvestProceedsfromSaleorDispositionofCertainAssets
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The percentage of the initial term loan borrowings that are required to be repaid on a quarterly basis through the maturity of the credit agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_TermLoanQuarterlyRepaymentPercentageofInitialBalance
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13,16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Net amount of long-term deferred finance costs capitalized at the end of the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28555-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 17 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNoncurrentNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 50 -Section 40 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12317-112629 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 50 -Section 40 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12355-112629 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3291-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The carrying amount, as of the date of the latest financial statement presented, of finance receivables which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, primarily a secured borrowing or repurchase agreement, and for which the transferee is not permitted to sell or re-pledge them to an unrelated party. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7523297&loc=SL6224234-111729 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PledgedAssetsNotSeparatelyReportedFinanceReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the portion of long-term, collateralized debt obligations due within one year or the operating cycle, if longer. Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SecuredDebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Carrying amount of liabilities associated with financial assets accounted for as secured borrowings recognized in the transferor's statement of financial position at the end of each period presented. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (b)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7523297&loc=SL6224234-111729 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TransfersAccountedForAsSecuredBorrowingsAssociatedLiabilitiesCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant