v2.4.0.8

Equity Incentive Plans Summary of Expected to Vest RSUs, Stock Options, and Restricted Stock (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Expected to Vest RSUs, Stock Options, and Restricted Stock [Line Items]
Unrecognized Stock Based Compensation Expense Expected To Be Recognize In Current Year		$ 5,629
2013	13,042	15,975
2014	11,043	9,496
2015	7,936	5,673
2016	4,394	2,575
2017	141	96
Total unrecognized compensation expense	36,556	39,444
RSUs
Summary of Expected to Vest RSUs, Stock Options, and Restricted Stock [Line Items]
Unrecognized Stock Based Compensation Expense Expected To Be Recognize In Current Year		4,459
Shares	2,319,877
Weighted average remaining contractual life	3 years 6 months
Intrinsic value	48,949
2013	8,254	12,829
2014	7,897	9,421
2015	7,861	5,673
2016	4,394	2,575
2017	141	96
Total unrecognized compensation expense	28,547	35,053
Stock Options
Summary of Expected to Vest RSUs, Stock Options, and Restricted Stock [Line Items]
Unrecognized Stock Based Compensation Expense Expected To Be Recognize In Current Year		1,123
Shares	9,079,684
Weighted average remaining contractual life	5 years
Intrinsic value	129,421
Weighted average exercise price	$ 6.85
2013	4,580	3,007
2014	3,007	75
2015	75
Total unrecognized compensation expense	7,662	4,205
Restricted Stock
Summary of Expected to Vest RSUs, Stock Options, and Restricted Stock [Line Items]
Unrecognized Stock Based Compensation Expense Expected To Be Recognize In Current Year		47
Shares	116,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life	7 months
Intrinsic value	2,448
2013	208	139
2014	139
Total unrecognized compensation expense	$ 347	$ 186

X

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the total intrinsic value of expected to vest equity awards other than options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
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X

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the number of equity awards other than options into which expected to vest awards outstanding can be converted under the equity plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The weighted-average period between the balance sheet date and vesting date for expected to vest equity awards other than options outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Details

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Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

As of the balance-sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity awards made with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees under share-based compensation plans that have yet to vest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lkq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

As of the balance-sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity awards made with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees under share-based compensation plans that have yet to vest expected to be recognized during the remainder of current year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

As of the balance-sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity awards made with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees under share-based compensation plans that have yet to vest expected to be recognized during year five of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lkq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

As of the balance-sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity awards made with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees under share-based compensation plans that have yet to vest expected to be recognized during year four of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lkq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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X

- Definition

As of the balance-sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity awards made with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees under share-based compensation plans that have yet to vest expected to be recognized during year one of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lkq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

As of the balance-sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity awards made with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees under share-based compensation plans that have yet to vest expected to be recognized during year three of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lkq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

As of the balance-sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity awards made with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees under share-based compensation plans that have yet to vest expected to be recognized during year two of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lkq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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X

- Definition

Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of fully vested and expected to vest options outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (e)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph d(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

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X

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the number of shares into which fully vested and expected to vest stock options outstanding can be converted under the option plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (e)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph d(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

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the weighted-average exercise price for outstanding stock options that are fully vested or expected to vest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (e)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph d(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

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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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X

- Definition

Weighted average remaining contractual term for fully vested and expected to vest options outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (e)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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