A Beginner’s Guide to Auto Salvage

Companies like AutoScrap pride themselves on a simplified and streamlined process in helping clients get rid of their scrap cars. As simple as it is for the client, when your old junker arrives at the scrapyard, an intricate and detailed process begins to safely remove hazardous liquids from your vehicle while preparing it to be dissected for viable parts and materials. To demystify and inform our clients about the process, we've prepared a 'crash course' guide to auto salvage!

What Happens When My Junk Car Leaves My Garage?

Junkyards buy old scrap cars so they can salvage them for re-sellable parts and valuable recyclable materials. However, the process is not as simple as grabbing a nearby blowtorch and 'going to town.' A scrap car's battery, as well as a large number of hazardous fluids (coolant, oils, fuels, etc.), have to be removed very carefully and in compliance with municipal, provincial, and federal environmental laws before the car can be tested or stripped for working parts. Once that has been completed, the car can be dissected for recyclable raw materials and ultimately, disposed of.

Simple Steps in the Guide to Auto Salvage

Step 1 - Pre-Treatment

Once your scrap car arrives at a junkyard, the first step in the auto salvage guide can begin. Here, your car will be drained of all its fluids in compliance with environmental regulations, which can then be transported for safe disposal or recycled and resold. At this stage, your gas tank, tires, and the battery will also be removed. These parts will then either be refurbished for resale as used parts or sold as recyclable material.

Step 2 - Treatment

Everything from the taillights to the floormats of your scrap car can be refurbished and resold, so once the fluids and components are safely removed, the scrapyard will begin the process of evaluating the parts of the rest of the car.

Most scrapyards leave refurbished, repaired, and working parts in the car itself, allowing clients to pick them out themselves with the appropriate tools. However, some junkyards will pull them out of the car, repair and refurbish them, and move them to another location for resale on-premises or online.

Step 3 - Recycle and Demolish

Your scrap car will then be recycled for materials like metal, rubber, and glass. Whatever is left will be compacted, and in turn, recycled.

When Should I Sell to a Scrapyard?

Deciding if or when to sell your car to a scrapyard can be confusing, but there are a few rules of thumb you can apply from the auto salvage guide to help you make your decision:

1) If your car costs more in repairs than it's worth, Scrap It.

2) If your car doesn't run, Scrap It.

3) if your car is more than 10 years old or has been in an accident, Scrap It.

And of course, if you need further information on how to get rid of your scrap car or to call and make an appointment for a pick-up, contact Auto-Scrap today!