Hi Drew.  I've often wondered the same thing about used wheels.  Try 
to get the wheel put on a spin balancer to make sure it's true.  I 
would hope that a reputable shop will "prove"  the wheel for you.

Take care,
Harry.

> During this weekend's snow storm, my wife was going around a
> corner and the rear end slid out and the wheel banged against
> a curb. It bent the rim so the wheel needs to be replaced. 
>  
> I found one at a local junkyard for $35. 
> 
> Two questions: Is this a reasonable price? Are used wheels generally
> "safe" to purchase?
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Oh, if anyone has an extra wheel they want to get rid of, let
> me know. 
> 
> Drew Jenkins  86 Syncro
> djenkins@foxboro.com
> 
> 
----------------------------------------------------------
Burnaby, British Columbia CANADA
'90 Syncro Westfalia  email: hyates@bcit.bc.ca
'87 Golf Diesel       WWW:   http://www.bcit.bc.ca/~hyates