If your car is at the end of its lifespan and any repairs will cost more than the vehicle is worth, it may be time to consider stripping it down and selling its useable parts for some extra cash! This blog will go over why it can be a good idea to strip a car for parts and what key considerations you should keep in mind during the process. Let's get started!
Why Strip a Car for Parts?
Higher Financial Return
Car components that are high in demand like engines, alloys and electronics can sell for more separately than the car's entire scrap metal value, thus usually making the process of removing them worth it.
Salvage Value from Write-Offs
If your car has been totalled and the repairs cost more than the car's worth, stripping the vehicle down for parts can help to recover value and get you some extra cash!
Circular Economy
Reusing functional car components keeps them out of landfills and reduces the need for more manufacturing. This helps to support the circular economy and promote sustainability.
Key Points to Consider Before Stripping a Car for Parts
- If your car is a Category A write-off, it cannot be stripped down and sold for parts, it will instead need to be destroyed.
- Stripping down a car can be a difficult task, particularly if you haven't worked on cars before.
- You’ll need to be able to take your car apart carefully without damaging anything - damage will lower the value of the individual parts, which will make the whole process less worthwhile.
- Before you go to the effort of stripping your car, be sure to check the resale and scrap value of the full car – some old or vintage cars can actually go up in value over time and it may not be worth your time to strip the car down if you could get a good price out of scrapping it.
- Not every part of your car will be worth a lot of money so be sure to focus on high-value car components.
- It’s very important to look at the service manual for your specific make and model. There are often variations that you will need to be aware of when removing vehicle parts.
What Will I Need?
- Safety gear: protective gloves, eye protection, appropriate clothing
- Tools: spanners, pliers, breaker bars, screwdrivers, wire cutters, fluid trays and containers
Which Parts Should I Focus on Stripping?
Once you’ve got what you need, here are some parts of the car that you might want to focus on removing:
- Engine: Possibly the most valuable part of your car. Engines are a lot easier to remove if you have access to an engine crane, car stands, and a car jack. You could consider getting the help of a mechanic, but this isn’t always financially viable.
- Car Seats: These are usually much easier to remove than the engine, and because of that, it can be worth your time to take them out. People with damaged car seats are often looking for replacements that are in better condition than their own. Just carefully unbolt the seats to remove them.
- Catalytic Converter: You’ve probably heard of these being stolen and sold. That’s because it’s generally straightforward to remove them, and they sell quite easily.
- Air Bag: You can generally sell an intact air bag quickly, but removing it can be a challenge. Be aware that it could easily go off if you do this wrong, which may cause injury. Take extra care, and look up specific instructions for this process beforehand.
There are plenty of other useful parts of your car, so check the quality and condition of every component!
Where Can I Sell My Car Parts?
If you have managed to successfully strip your car down to its valuable parts, you are probably wondering where you can flog these components for some much-needed cash. The following are a good place to start:
- Motorists: See if anyone on social media or a car forum is looking for the car parts you have specifically.
- Online Marketplaces: Websites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Gumtree can also be a good place to sell your car parts, however make sure you are wary of scammers.
- Scrap Yards: Many vehicle recyclers will buy car parts, whether they can be reused or are just scrap metal.
Here at A&L Vehicle Recycling we will take any car parts off your hands and give you money in return! Use the button below to get in touch with us today.
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