v2.4.0.8

Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Obligations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Contingent Consideration Obligations [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | $ 49,473 | $ 88,037 | $ 90,009 | $ 82,382 | $ 82,382 | $ 2,000 |
Contingent consideration liabilities recorded for business acquisitions | 1,204 |  | 3,854 | 5,540 | 5,456 | 81,239 | 2,000
Payments |  |  | (38,349) | (600) | (3,100) |  |
Loss (gain) included in earnings | 712 | 1,892 | 1,765 | 1,787 | 1,643 | (1,408) |
Exchange rate effects | 3,096 | 2,353 | (2,794) | 3,173 | 3,628 | 551 |
Ending balance | $ 54,485 | $ 92,282 | $ 54,485 | $ 92,282 | $ 90,009 | $ 82,382 | $ 2,000

X
- Definition Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration Amount at Fair Value. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationAmountAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, as of the acquisition date, of potential payments under the contingent consideration arrangement including cash and shares as a result of the business combinations during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationAndLiabilitiesAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Payments made under contingent consideration arrangements + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationLiabilitiesPaymentsMade
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Contingent Consideration Translation Adjustments. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lkq_ContingentConsiderationTranslationAdjustments
Namespace Prefix: | lkq_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings, arising from liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration