Blog

The 4 Most Valuable Auto Parts You Can Salvage from a Junk Car

Post by: Aaaron Cuttingham March 22, 2023 0 Comments Alternator, Catalytic Converters, Cost-effective Solution, Engine, Junk Car, Reduce Waste., Salvage Auto Parts, Tires, Transmission, Wheels

When a car is deemed beyond repair, it often ends up in a salvage yard like Robertson Auto Salvage. Here it is stripped of its usable parts. Salvaging auto parts can be a great way to save money on repairs or make some extra cash.

Here are the 4 most valuable auto parts you can salvage from a junk car:

Salvage Auto Engine | Robertson Auto Salvage

Engine: The engine is often the most expensive and valuable part of a car. Salvaging a functioning engine from a junk car can save you thousands of dollars compared to buying a brand-new one. Salvage auto parts often have value to salvage yards.

Salvage Auto Transmission | Robertson Auto Salvage

Transmission: The transmission is another vital component of a car, and salvaging one in good condition can save you a considerable amount of money on repairs or replacements.

Salvage Auto Alternator | Robertson Auto Salvage

Alternator: The alternator is responsible for charging the battery and powering the electrical system. Salvaging a functioning alternator can be a cost-effective solution to a common problem.

Salvage Auto Catalytic Converter | Robertson Auto Salvage

Catalytic Converter: The catalytic converter is an emissions control device that contains precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Salvaging a catalytic
the converter can be a lucrative venture, as the precious metals can be sold for a high price.

Salvaging auto parts can be a great way to save money and reduce waste. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards involved, such as sharp edges, toxic chemicals, and heavy lifting.

It can be a cost-effective solution to your car repair needs or a lucrative venture. Keep these valuable auto parts in mind the next time you visit a Robertson Salvage Yard.

Tough Competition

Post by: Aaaron Cuttingham February 20, 2023 0 Comments

U.S. auto parts recyclers say online auctions have broadened competition for salvaged vehicles to their detriment.

Insurance companies used to have contracts directly with local automotive recyclers for vehicles that were declared total losses following crashes. Now, insurers primarily work with online auction companies, such as Copart and Insurance Auto Auctions, and recyclers must bid on the vehicles, competing against other automotive recyclers—whether local competitors or those in other states—as well as with auto rebuilders in other countries.

While recyclers have benefitted in some ways from the growth of online auctions, some say they also have had negative effects on the automotive recycling industry.

Sight unseen

Sandy Blalock, executive director of the Automotive Recyclers Association, Manassas, Virginia, says online auctions have expanded automotive recyclers’ pool of vehicles because they can buy from outside their own markets.

But that advantage has an associated disadvantage.

“The biggest problem you have is you can’t get up close and personal and actually verify that what that picture looks like is actually what you’re getting,” she says.

Blalock says it’s not uncommon for people to purchase wrecked vehicles, make some cosmetic upgrades often using aftermarket parts, and rerun the vehicles back through the auctions.

Norman Wright, owner, and CEO of Stadium Auto Parts, Henderson, Colorado, also mentions incidences of what he calls fraud on the auction sites.

He says Stadium bought a 2021 Mercedes van with 24,000 miles from an auction site and found it wasn’t what he and his team expected. “Since you can’t really go down and look at these vehicles, you’re doing it from pictures online,” Wright adds. “We assumed we had a good product. When it came back, the transmission was missing … and they put in an old engine.”

Because vehicles are sold as is in the salvage pools, Wright says he “had no recourse for fraud.”

Broader appeal

Auctions also have increased the number of bidders on salvage vehicles and their geographical reach.

“We’ve got people from all over the world buying local automotive recycler’s salvage in the United States,” Blalock says. “And some of them can afford to pay a whole lot more money for those cars because they have a larger value in the marketplace they’re taking it to and that’s including shipping it there.”

She adds that her biggest concern for the automotive recycling industry is that companies are forced into competing for savage at artificially high pricing because they are bidding against people who aren’t in the same business, “so, they can afford to pay more money.”

Wright says insurance companies are seeing a greater return on their salvage vehicles because the online auctions have opened up the salvage pools “to anybody who wants to buy.”

“Now, we’re competing against not only each other but we’re also competing against what we call rebuilders who buy these cars to rebuild them and then resell them,” he says.

In the last eight to 10 years, Wright says, the number of rebuilders who export cars from the U.S. to other markets, such as Mexico and the Middle East, has grown. He estimates from 30 percent to 40 percent of the salvage vehicles sold on auction sites are exported from the U.S.

Blalock says she suspects the auctions would confirm 30 percent of the salvaged vehicles they sell are purchased by international buyers. “A good 30 percent or more is purchased by people who are not auto recyclers but rebuilders, and then 30 percent are auto recyclers,” she says. “Basically, we’re one-third of their customer base.”

The wider competition for local automotive recyclers’ salvage vehicles has raised the prices auto recyclers have to bid to secure inventory. But that’s not the only escalation that has occurred, Wright and Blalock say. The fees the auction companies charge buyers also have increased.

“At the end of the day, all the auctions are in the business and making money,” Blalock says. “And it’s a very competitive market because they’re competing against each other … for those cars. And, of course, the way that you maintain that position is by it costing the insurance companies less. And so they have to make that money up somewhere.”

She says buyers are paying a growing array of fees, including a pull-out fee to remove the vehicle from the auction and a fee to pay via check.

“The thing I get the most complaints about from our members is the fees that they’re paying at the auctions or that a new fee has all of a sudden appeared,” she says. “That is a very big, big concern for our industry.”

Wright says when the fees and higher prices of the vehicles are combined, his cost of goods as a percentage of his overall expenses has grown from 25 percent to 30 percent to nearly 50 percent to 55 percent. “It’s so much pressure on the recycler to continue operations as our margins continue to shrink,” he says.

“And the other dilemma is there are only two realistic salvage pools left,” Wright adds, citing Copart and IAA. “And those two companies probably control 90 percent of the insured local automotive recycler’s salvage, so there are no other alternatives for us.”

U Pull It Yard | Robertson Auto Salvage | Wareham, MA

Blalock says Copart and IAA are supportive of the automotive recycling industry and are associate members of the ARA. “I don’t know how we have any influence over that business model other than maybe sit down and talk with them and see if there isn’t something we could work out,” she says, adding that the ARA intends to sit down with leaders from the auction companies. “We need to sit down and see if there isn’t some consideration they could be giving with the true licensed professional auto recyclers that are buying cars from them.”

Blalock says smaller family-run auto recyclers, which at one time were the heart of the industry, are the companies most affected by the growth of the local automotive recyclers’ salvage auctions. “They’re having to pay those buyers’ fees, and it takes away from their buying power for the salvage they need to be profitable in their businesses,” she says. “It’s very sad to think that we might lose an entire segment of our industry just because they can’t afford to compete and pay not only the prices but all the other associated costs of getting cars.”This article initially appeared on Recycling Today

Countless Automotive Parts can be Recycled

Post by: Aaaron Cuttingham January 29, 2023 0 Comments Auto Recycling, Benefits of Recycled Used Auto Parts, Salvage Yard, Salvage Yards, sell your car

Your Automotive Recycling Options Include Selling it to a Salvage Yard, Parting out the Vehicle, or Both

Automotive Parts can be Recycled and Your vehicle’s usable life will come to an end at some point. Most of its materials can live on through automotive recycling. Automotive Recycling Companies separate vehicles into their constituent parts, sell usable components, and then prepare scrap material for manufacturing new items.

About 86% of a vehicle’s material is recyclable. Over 12 million vehicles are recycled each year in the U.S.

Many car parts can be recycled, including batteries, tires, and scrap metal.
Your Automotive Recycling options include parting out the vehicle, selling it to a Salvage Yard, or both.
New cars contain an average of 20% post-consumer recycled material by weight.

If you have mechanical experience, you can recycle or sell many components yourself. If not, sell your car to a Salvage Yard. and let Robertson Auto Salvage break down the vehicle for you.

Before beginning the car recycling process, make sure to check whether you can sell your car online, even if it isn’t running. You’ll usually make the most money that way.

Your Options for Car Recycling

If you want to recycle your car, you have a few options. You can either sell your car to Robertson Auto Salvage, sell certain parts yourself, or donate the vehicle.

Sell the Car to a Salvage Yard

Rest assured, selling your car to a salvage yard is not the same thing as dumping it in a landfill. Junkyards resell usable parts and then break down the car into materials that can be recycled. From used motor oil to the steel frame, salvage yards recycle the vast majority of the car’s components. This is usually the simplest car recycling method for your whole vehicle. You’ll get between $100 and $500 for your scrap car depending on its size and condition.

Sell or Recycle Parts Yourself

Another option is to sell or recycle individual components yourself. This has the potential to get you the most value for your vehicle. However, you’ll need to have some mechanical experience and should spend time researching what you can get for different parts. Instead of parting out the whole vehicle, it may make more sense to sell a few things, like the entertainment system and catalytic converter, before sending the rest to a salvage yard.

Car Parts That Can Be Recycled

Let’s take a look at a few automotive parts that can usually be recycled. Most end-of-life vehicles will still have these parts, making them a great way to get cash for cars.

Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converters contain metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium, which make them useful even if they no longer work. This is also why catalytic converter theft is a major problem. Manufacturers can use the materials in a catalytic converter to make new electrical components or even jewelry.

Batteries

Car batteries are full of hazardous waste products and acids that must be disposed of properly. Luckily, companies and state organizations provide easy car recycling services for batteries. You can bring your battery to an auto parts store – usually $5 to $10 per battery. Your state may also have regulations for battery recycling, so check for further details on getting rid of hazardous materials.

Alternators and Starters

You may be able to sell your car’s alternator and starter to a junkyard or even a mechanic on Craigslist for a few dollars. They can often be remanufactured into like-new parts by a factory.

Aftermarket Wheels

You can often sell aftermarket wheels fairly easily if you live in an area with enough prospective buyers. Just be aware that some junkyards may offer less for your car if it can’t roll on its own.

Scrap Metal

Your car likely has aluminum, iron, and steel in its body and frame. These metals hold value because they can be made into other things. Recycled metal saves energy and reduces emissions compared to when the steel industry mines completely new ore.

If you’ve taken all the parts above off of your car and just want to sell the scrap metal, you can take it to a scrap yard. This type of business specializes in buying and selling scrap metal. If you still have the full car, you’ll want to take it to either a junkyard or an auto salvage yard. Those businesses can disassemble the other parts and recycle or sell them along with the scrap metal.

How Car Recycling Works

Today, no one just dumps an old car off at the landfill. There are always a variety of parts to recycle on each vehicle. So, who actually recycles cars? Salvage Yards, scrap yards, auto wrecking services, and car recycling centers are all part of the auto recycling industry and “Automotive Parts can be Recycled.”

First, the junkyard will remove all fluids from the vehicle and then take out the engine. Many of these fluids can be reused or recycled. Next, the car will be completely torn down as workers look for reusable parts. Once any reusable components have been separated, the car will be crushed and then shredded.

Along the way, car parts can be:

Reused
Remanufactured
Recycled

Recycled Parts

If a car part can’t be reused or remanufactured, it can often be recycled into something new. Steel, aluminum, and iron can all be shredded, separated, and resmelted in factories.

Plastics in the dashboard and interior can often be recycled and used to create new car parts. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which makes up between 12 and 17% of the plastics used in vehicles, can’t be an Automotive Parts can be Recycled using typical techniques.

Car Recycling: Conclusion

Thankfully, the vast majority of vehicles at the end of their useful life make it to car recycling programs at Robertson Auto Salvage. You can say goodbye to your old vehicle and sell it to our recycling facility to dismantle and form into something new. To do so, decide whether or not you want to sell individual parts yourself, or salvage it entirely at our Wareham, MA facility.

What to Look for When Buying a Used Truck

Post by: Aaaron Cuttingham December 21, 2022 0 Comments Used Pickup Truck, Used Truck

Whether this is the first time you’ve shopped for a used truck or just the first time you’ve shopped for one online, it’s worth setting the groundwork before you start browsing.

Read our tips for buying a used truck. These are all of the things you need to consider when deciding which used pickup is the best fit for you.

Reasons to Buy A Used Truck vs. A New Truck

There are many reasons to buy a used truck rather than a new one. And no, it’s not just about the money. Money is still an excellent reason to buy a used truck. The price of new trucks has skyrocketed in the past few years. A used truck is always less expensive than a brand-new

one.

Additional Features – Better Investment

Because used trucks are more affordable, your budget will go further. This means you may find a used truck with additional features that you wouldn’t be able to afford if you bought a new one.

A new truck tends to depreciate rapidly for the first few years. But that downward curve isn’t as steep when buying a used truck. This means that if you sell your well-maintained, used truck later, you’ll get a better return on your investment.

Durability

You can’t beat quality craftsmanship. And some older pickups are made with better, more durable materials. Think steel instead of aluminum. This means that some used trucks may be made better than the newer models.

Things to Consider When Buying A Used Truck

So we’ve covered all the reasons why used trucks are well worth your consideration. But what’s the best way to buy a used truck?

To ensure you’re getting something that meets your budget and requirements, you should nail down exactly what kind of used pickup truck you’re looking for before you start your search.

To do that, consider all of the following points.

Price of a Used Truck

Budget will always be important when buying a used pickup. When figuring out your budget, factor in all truck ownership costs. This includes:
The sale price
The cost of any repairs or maintenance the truck may need today
Truck insurance costs
Extended warranty costs
Loan terms.

Age of a Used Truck

Some pickups age better than others. So do a little research on the make and model you’re considering to determine how long they’re likely to run without needing significant repairs.

Then you can figure out whether the age and mileage of a vehicle make
it is a sound investment.

Fuel Economy of a Used Truck

Fuel economy is another big consideration when buying used trucks.

A quick Google search will throw up the original EPA fuel economy estimates for any make and model on your shortlist.

Just remember that fuel economy decreases over time, so a used truck is unlikely to meet top EPA performance still.

Your Type of Pickup

Pickup trucks come in all shapes and sizes. There are light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty, two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, luxury, half-ton, three-quarter-ton, one-ton, and compact pickup trucks.

Before you go used truck shopping, have a clear idea of what you 100% need your truck to do and what features are simply nice-to-have.

Size of Used Pickup Truck

What are you planning to use your truck for? And where will you be driving it?

Smaller trucks are easier to drive around urban areas. And they’re easier to park in standard parking lot spaces. Larger trucks have better horsepower and can haul or tow bigger weights.

Pickup Truck Beds

When buying a truck, you need to consider length and size. You’ll find trucks in both short- and long-bed configurations. Short-bed trucks (with a bed between 5 and 6.5 feet long) are easier

to maneuver. But long-bed trucks (with a bed of up to 8 feet long) are great for longer loads, like lumber or large furniture.

Pickup Truck Cabins

When buying a used truck, the next thing to consider is how many passengers you plan to carry around in your pickup. When shopping for a used truck, you’ll find three common cab types:

A standard cab – with two doors and two seats

An extended cab – with two doors and four seats (the front seats slide

forward to give you access to the rear seats)

A crew cab – with four doors and seating for three passengers in the

rear bank of seats (the most comfortable way to transport more than

two passengers).

Pickup Truck Towing capacity

If you’re looking to buy a used pickup, chances are you’re also interested in regularly hauling or towing loads. So you need to be confident that your chosen used truck can do what you have in mind.

An average light-duty truck has a towing capacity of around 12,000 lb. In contrast, the average heavy-duty pickup could tow up to 20,000 lb. But you should research the payload and towing capabilities of a particular make and model before you commit to buying it.

Remember that towing and hauling capacity is based upon the total weight transported — which means you have to factor in the weight of the driver and any passengers, not just the load in the back.

The Best Way to Buy A Used Truck: Online VS in Person

Buying a truck in person means you get to see it, inspect it, and test drive it yourself.

The downside? Shopping in person means limiting your search to your local area. This means many excellent used trucks don’t even make it to your shortlist.

When you shop for a used truck online, you get your pick of trucks from across the country. Shop with Robertson Auto Sales and Used Car Division, and you get many other benefits.

Recycled Automotive Parts - More Popular Than Ever

Post by: Aaaron Cuttingham October 24, 2022 0 Comments Auto Recycling, Recycled Automotive Parts, Salvage Yard, Salvage Yards

Recycled auto parts are one of the largest industries in the United States. They contribute to approximately $25 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) on an annual basis according to recent statistics published by the Digital Journal. In addition, approximately 95% of automobiles are recycled once they retire from driving on the roads according to automobile industry associations. Millions of cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans end up being recycled each and every year.

In addition, approximately 90% of each vehicle can be recycled. That’s not only good for the environment, but it’s also good for your pocket. The automotive industry isn’t the only one that benefits from recycled auto parts. Consumers do as well.

Recycled Automotive Parts at Robertson Auto Salvage

Less Cost for Recycled Automotive Parts

Recycled auto parts cost a lot less money when compared to new auto parts. The savings can be substantial. Some consumers are under the false impression that recycled auto parts are not as good as new ones. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, recycled auto parts can be just as good as new ones, but cost a fraction of the price.

It’s getting more difficult to find new auto parts available on the market due to supply chain issues that began at the start of the Covid pandemic. That means you very well may not be able to find new replacement parts for your vehicle. The bottom line is that there are perfectly good recycled auto parts available. If you’re wondering where you can purchase recycled auto parts near me, look no further than Robertson’s Auto Salvage in Wareham, MA.

U Pull It – Used Auto Part Superstore

We also have a U Pull It self-service yard. It’s four acres filled with various vehicles where you can pull the exact part that you need in order to save a lot of money. Come by with your own tools, remove the part or parts you need, and SAVE. We will even help you find the right parts that fit your vehicle.

We have been offering quality parts for all makes and models of foreign and domestic cars, vans, and light trucks. Our selection of vehicle parts is tough to beat with new arrivals daily. Robertson Auto Salvage is the premier do-it-yourself-used auto part superstore!

Sell Robertson Auto Salvage Your Car

If you have a junk car and are interested in selling it to an auto salvage company, please consider our Sell Us Your Car page. Sell Robertson Auto Salvage your car, hassle-free. We base on our offer on condition of the vehicle in addition to the market value. We work hard to make it as fair of an offer as possible for everybody.

When you sell your car, you want to get the best deal—but the best deal is about more than just price. Some websites send your information to multiple dealerships, so you may wind up with a lot of unwanted emails and phone calls.

When choosing the best place to sell your car online, we know that your time and energy are valuable. That’s why Robertson Auto Salvage doesn’t just offer a fair price, we make sure every transaction is convenient and transparent.

Secure Online Inventory – Recycled Automotive Parts

We have been supplying local businesses and the general public with quality used auto parts since 1969. Our secure online inventory is ready to be shipped anywhere around the globe. If you can’t find the used auto part that you need or have any questions, please contact our sales team for assistance.

Many of our used auto parts include a lifetime warranty when purchased through our website. Please refer to the Resources link on our website for more details regarding acquiring Recycled Automotive Parts from Robertson Auto Salvage.

Your Junk Car Is Worth Money

Post by: Raphael Grovers August 26, 2022 0 Comments cash for cars, Junk Car, Salvage Yard, Salvage Yards, sell your car

Do you have a junk car in your yard or garage that’s just sitting around collecting dust? If so, you can help save the environment and make some money in the process by recycling your vehicle. Many people don’t know this, but automobiles are made with valuable materials that are easy to recycle when it’s no longer running or worth fixing.

For example, floor tiles, shoes, many plastic items, and even new vehicles use raw materials from recycled cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. In fact, pretty much every new vehicle contains approximately 25% of recycled materials from old automobiles.

Plastics, from recycled junk cars, can be utilized to manufacture everything from bumpers, dashboards, and seat cushions. Even the glass in your junk vehicle can be recycled and turned into brand new windshields and windows. This is along with non-automobile related products such as asphalt, fiberglass insulation, and glass jars.

Most junk cars also have at least a few parts that are in good working shape. Companies like Robertson Auto Salvage can remove these individual parts and re-sell them to consumers who are looking to replace the auto parts in their vehicles for a fraction of the cost of buying brand-new auto parts.

Even if the individual auto parts in your junk car are not working, they can be recycled and turned into other products. Car batteries are a good example of this. In essence, once the chemicals and lead are removed, they can be melted and turned into brand-new car battery cases.

Engine oil can be drained from the engine of your junk vehicle. At that point, it can be recycled and reused. Believe it or not, the end product is actually better quality than the original oil because the contaminants have been removed and the oil is purified.

In addition, coolants, hydraulic fluids, and transmission fluids can also be refined and reused. Even the catalytic converter, that’s part of the exhaust system on your junk car, can be recycled. Both jewelry and electronics can be made from the metals found in them. Alternators and starters, which are part of the ignition and power supply of your junk car, are recycled because they contain both copper and steel.

If you have a junk car and are interested in selling it to an auto salvage company, or would like to see how much it’s worth, please contact Robertson Auto Salvage today!

Many of our used auto parts include a lifetime warranty when purchased through our website. Please refer to the Resources link on our website for more details.

Testimonial from a Lover of Robertson Auto Salvage

Post by: Raphael Grovers August 14, 2022 0 Comments auto recycling facilities, Jack, Salvage Yard, Salvage Yards

Four Used Vehicles Priced Under $40,000

Post by: Aaaron Cuttingham July 28, 2022 0 Comments cars for sale, cash for cars, Pre Owned Vehicles For Sale, Salvage Yards, sell your car

Robertson’s Auto Salvage Wareham is a Pre-Owned Vehicle Dealership. Let’s take a look at the inventory that is currently available.

The Chevy Silverado 1500 is an excellent full-size pickup truck that’s very comfortable to ride in, whether at work or at play. This particular model is Deep Ocean Blue Metallic and decked out with a powerful 5.3 liter V8 OHV 16v gasoline engine. The Chevy Silverado 1500 also has the ability to haul and tow considerably large loads. This awesome truck, presented by Robertson’s Auto has an excellent infotainment system with simple controls, as well as a lot of available safety features. Priced at $39,900 at Robertson Auto Salvage.

Used Vehicles Priced Under $40,000 — 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500- $39,900

The Chevy Silverado 1500 full-size pickup is a great choice for those who need a big and powerful truck for work and or recreational activities. This vehicle is well equipped and includes a powerful 5.3 liter V8 OHV 16v gasoline engine paired with a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission with overdrive. Chevy trucks are famous for their safety features, off-road capabilities, and the ability to tow large loads. You can purchase this beauty at Robertson’s Salvage.

2018 Ford F-150- $38,950 is in an incredibly competitive class, the 2018 Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck truly stands out as one of the best and most well-rounded vehicles. It’s a tough workhorse with good crash test ratings, compelling engine choices, and roomy cab options. This particular vehicle, available at Robertson’s Auto Salvage Wareham, has the 3.0 liter V6 DOHC 24v Engine with a ten-speed transmission.

The Crimson Red Tintcoat 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 has an incredibly powerful 6.2 liter V8 OHV 16v engine and one of the if not the nicest-looking cabins in the segment, with incredibly comfortable front seats and plenty of room even if you’re tall or drive around tall passengers. A used 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 is a great pickup truck that can serve soccer moms and as a workhorse. This truck has the ability to tow up to 12,500 pounds. In addition, the Sierra 1500’s infotainment system is one of the easiest to use in the class. Available at Robertson’s Auto

There are plenty of used vehicles under $5,000 currently available at Robertson’s Salvage. Now is the perfect time to purchase a gently used vehicle because the supply of new cars, trucks, SUV, and vans are still at an all-time low thanks to the microchip shortage, and the demand is at an all-time high. So, why not make things easier on yourself and purchase a used vehicle? You’ll be able to drive it off our lot right away and won’t have to wait months and months on end to receive it.

If you want to sell your vehicle or want to get rid of a junk automobile, you can sell us your car today. Robertson’s Auto Salvage Wareham pays top dollar for both used vehicles and junk cars in Southeastern Massachusetts. So, if you live in or near Plymouth, Falmouth, Fall River, Barnstable or Chatham, we will buy your vehicles in any condition. You get paid on the spot.

The Auto Recycling Industry Sees an Unstable Market

Post by: Aaaron Cuttingham July 12, 2022 0 Comments

The automotive recycling industry is in a constant state of flux. Supply chain issues are affecting new car production, affecting the used car parts industry, which in turn affects the recycling of automotive parts.

Troy Webber, chief executive officer of Chesterfield Auto Parts in Richmond, Virginia, said the most significant issue his company is facing right now is market volatility.

“It used to be that you could predict the market to some degree based on seasonal changes and annual market trends. That predictor has been gone for some years now,” Webber said. “The markets are being affected by global issues more than local and domestic factors like supply and demand.”

Political issues around the globe, worldwide shipping shortages, and shifting policies in foreign governments are also making it more expensive to do business.

“When the scrap price gets as high as it was earlier this year, we struggle to obtain cars. While we make more on the vehicles, the cost of goods increases as well,” Webber said. “This is because anyone with a tow truck can take vehicles directly to a scrap yard and make a lot of money.”

Chesterfield Auto Parts is a vehicle recycling business more than an auto parts business. The majority of the company’s revenue comes from recycling the cars, not selling their parts. The business makes money by moving vehicles through the process and generating scrap metal.

“The process is a well-oiled machine that needs vehicles to continue operating. If we don’t get new inventory, we can’t generate the scrap that we sell to buy more inventory,” Webber said. “We also operate at about a 60 to 90-day differential between when we buy the inventory and when we have realized all of its potential income. The vehicles we pay for today, may not generate a profit for three months. With the market as volatile as it has been, the price of a commodity could change a lot over the course of three months.”

The Converter Issue

One issue that continues to plague the automotive recycling industry is the continuing problem of catalytic converter theft. Unfortunately, catalytic converter theft affects auto recyclers because the catalytic converter is the most valuable commodity recyclers sell. In fact, sometimes the converter can be more valuable than the rest of all the scrap from the combined parts of the entire vehicle.

“As the price of converters increases, tow companies and individuals will remove the converter and sell it separately before they sell the car to an auto recycler,” Webber said. We must be extra vigilant not to buy a vehicle with the most valuable part missing, the catalytic converter. It also affects the pricing for us in order to be completive. For example, if we offer a customer $500 for a junk car, and they know they can sell just the catalytic converter for that much, it is a hard sell.”

It also makes an auto recyclers’ operation a huge target for thieves. When new cars come in, the team at Chesterfield Auto Parts, for example, ensure they are very tightly packed into the holding lot to make it difficult to get under the cars.

“We also make sure that every single converter is taken off the cars before they are made available to the public,” Webber said. The converters also are stored in tamper resistant containers in an alarmed warehouse with internal and external cameras for security.

“The most effective way of protecting the catalytic converts is to sell them fast. We don’t hold onto large quantities, we keep them moving,” Webber said. This is why some automotive recyclers, including Chesterfield, do not buy converters from anyone because it is dangerous and prone to fraud.

Recycling of EV Components

The topic of electric vehicles is frequently bandied about these days within the automotive recycling arena. Electric vehicles are beginning to have a significant impact on the recycling industry.

According to Ryan Melsert, chief executive officer of American Battery Technology Company, consumer interest and purchasing in EVs has risen dramatically. “EV global sales were up 113 percent in 2021 compared to 2020 sales, and more than 52 percent of global car buyers are interested in purchasing an EV. The demand for EVs is continuing to trend up with global sales of electric cars rising strongly in 2022, with two million sold in the first quarter, up 75 percent from the same period in 2021,” Melsert said.

The sharp increase in demand for EV vehicles means an increased demand for EV batteries and the battery metals that go into them. This is creating opportunities to innovate and challenges for battery recyclers.

“The batteries in the vehicles are dangerous, so that poses multiple hazards for auto recyclers,” Webber said. “When these vehicles come in, we have no way of knowing the condition of the high-voltage battery, especially when the vehicle is wrecked. The battery must be removed before processing.”

Read the Remainder Here

This Article Originally Appeared on AmericanRecycler.com

10 Facts About Automotive Recycling

Post by: Raphael Grovers June 14, 2022 0 Comments

Did you know that the automobile that you’re driving today will end up being recycled as used auto parts, metals, and other materials? Approximately 80% of your vehicle can be recycled. This is a good thing for the environment, the automotive industry, and consumers. Here are ten (10) facts about automotive recycling from Robertson Auto Salvage in Wareham, MA.

1. Automobiles are the most recycled consumer product in the entire world. There are over 25 million tons of materials being recycled from old cars, trucks, SUV,s and vans on a yearly basis.

2. Each year the automobile recycling industry in the U.S. and Canada contributes enough steel to produce roughly 13 million new vehicles. It also saves approximately 85 million barrels of oil.

3. The automobile recycling industry is the 16^th largest industry in the United States, contributing $25 billion a year to the national GDP. It also employs approximately 100,000 people, and has been in existence for over 75 years.

4. Vehicle recycling amounts to approximately 40% of ferrous metal for the scrap processing industry. In addition, the amount of hazardous fluids and oils that are safely reclaimed by auto recyclers is equal to eight Exxon Valdez disasters believe it or not.

5. Most auto recyclers are small businesses that supply retail and wholesale customers with quality auto parts that cost 20% to 80% less than comparable new auto parts. Over 75% of all automotive recycling companies employ ten (10) or more people.

6. Approximately 27 million vehicles per year reach the end of their life cycle and are recovered for recycling. Nearly Just 80% of a vehicle (by weight) is recycled. The remaining 20% is termed “auto shredder residue, which includes ferrous and nonferrous metal pieces, dirt, glass, fabric, paper, wood, rubber, and plastic.

7. Up to 99% of car batteries can be recycled. In addition, the materials recycled from automobile tires are used to produce roadways and sandals. Automobile windshield recycling is becoming popular as well.

8. In Europe, 75% of each vehicle is recycled. In the United States the automotive recycling industry supplies around 37% of all ferrous metal to blast furnaces and smelters across the country.

9. Just about 90% of a vehicle’s aluminum is recovered and recycled. Although this represents less than 10% of the vehicle by weight, it’s nearly 50% of the scrap value.

10: Recycling reduces automobile accidents because it keeps vehicles that are not working properly off of the road. It also keeps roadways clear of abandoned and disables automobiles.

Sell us your car. Robertson’s Auto Salvage is now buying used vehicles as well. We will also pay you for your used auto parts and remove your junk cars. If you’re interested in purchasing or selling recycled auto parts online or in person please drop by or check out the Robertson’s Auto Salvage Wareham Website today.

We have been supplying local businesses and consumers’ quality recycled automotive parts since 1969. We even offer extended warranties on many recycled auto parts. Robertson’s Auto Salvage Massachusetts also sells a wide range of new aftermarket auto parts including rear bumpers, front and rear drive shafts, mirrors, wheels, headlamps, and fuel sending units to name a few. We look forward to working with you.

Call Now! (800) 551-7000