Scrapyards ReUse and Recycle Parts
The scrapyards have a way to soften the blow when the cost of living goes through the roof. Quality used auto spares are available at these scrapyards or vehicle dismantlers for just about every make and model of vehicle on the roads today. Anyone who has ever bought a new auto part at a dealership knows just how ridiculous those prices can be but thankfully, there is relief to be had through good old fashioned scrapyards.
Scrapyards were considered as a last resort when the banks were lending money and dishing out new credit cards back then. Today, the auto recycling business is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. These are serious businesses with quality auto spares and used parts to sell. The Automotive Recyclers Association is the trade association for these scrapyards and to be a member they must meet certain criteria.
Using salvage parts for auto repairs is a concept that most people need to familiarize themselves with in the South African market place. Many insurance companies are implementing the second hand spares approach. Choosing this option for vehicle repairs is not only a way to save money, it also benefits the environment. The auto recyclers around the country have invested millions in equipment, training and computers to comply with stricter environmental laws. Industry statistics show that since 1997, enough steel has been recovered from recycled trucks and cars to build 13 million new ones. This has the effect of preserving precious metal reserves as well as the energy required to produce new steel. Recycling the usable parts from salvaged vehicles has this effect as well.
Today, most cars that find their way to an auto recycling facility are late model vehicles that have sustained damage in some type of collision, though a small amount are there as a result of mechanical failures also. The vehicles that have been involved in an accident have received damage to the point that insurance company has determined that the cost to repair the vehicle is more than the value of the car. Once the owner has been paid for the loss, the insurance company takes possession of the vehicle and in turn sells it at a salvage auction to recover at least some of its loss. Once the vehicle has been move to a recycling facility several things happen almost at once. The first thing to occur is the recovery and disposal of the hazardous materials contained within the vehicle. Once these have been removed, the vehicle is then assessed for all the usable parts still on the vehicle. These are then inventoried in a direct access computer system. When a mechanic or consumer needs a certain part, it is as easy to find as the click of a mouse. Once the needed part has been located, a visit can be made to the auto recycler showing the part. If the part happens to be located a longer distance away, most auto recyclers are happy to ship the part wherever it may need to go.
The savings involved in buy a quality OEM part over a new can be as much as 75%. This savings can sometimes be enough to cut the costs of the repairs in half. Now that is a bargain that everyone needs.
