Vehicle Processing
 Overview
Ever heard the phrase "Where there's muck - there's brass"? In the past its been assumed that vehicle dismantlers have always made lots and lots of money from other people's junk, and whilst there is some truth in that, we don't make as much profit as some people like to believe. We have been in business for over 30 years, and like any other business the profits from our sales have helped us to survive and still be in business today, but you would be surprised to find how much it actually costs nowadays to process a 'scrap' end-of-life vehicle (for more information click here).
The 'Scrap Yard' Image
There are still many people for whom the image of a vehicle dismantler conjures up a picture of a big scruffy man, with a big ugly dog, and big heavy cash-bag around his waist. The yard is a messy, muddy, oil-filled piece of land that requires slipping into knee-high waders before you even consider stepping foot inside the gate, and you have to do all the parts removal work for yourself getting dirty and oil-soaked in the process.
 Today's Modern Vehicle Dismantling Industry
Today, however, modern vehicle dismantling operations are run as well as any other professional business. Modern yards have cleaned-up their act to offer better services, a cleaner working environment, and a much reduced impact on the environment from their modern working methods and practices, combining modern technology whilst complying with insurers and modern legislation.
Through legislation and working with industry bodies such as the MVDA, ARA, DVLA, CARE and other motor and recycling related agencies the modern vehicle dismantler's yard is a cleaner, better place to buy recycled and new automotive spares. Nowadays you can leave your wader's at home and visit our yard in your regular clothes without needing to rush off to the dry-cleaners afterwards (take our virtual Yard Tour to see the difference).
What's Changed?
Years ago there was very little requirement for yards to consider the environmental impact of their methods and practices. There is now a whole host of legislation that applies to our industry, and even more is on the way over the coming years. Customers have also helped us to improve our service, and with the advent of computerised stock control systems we can now offer faster, more accurate details for spares enquiries.
What Makes the Difference?
To operate as a professional vehicle dismantler we are required to hold the following licenses/certificates:
Waste Carriers Licence - So we can transport and deliver recyclable materials, damaged vehicles and crushed vehicle shells
Waste Disposal Licence - So we can dispose of recyclable or waste materials at our own site, or pass them to other recycling agents for processing
Waste Management Licence - Qualified waste management operator with certified staff members who have achieved competence in waste management skills
CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) - To allow us to operate our fleet of vehicle transporters, and our Heavy Goods tractor units and trailers
 The licenses and certificates are not easy to obtain and sites have to undergo several stages of inspection from a variety of local authority and Environment Agency representatives before a licence is granted. These licenses are your assurance as a customer that a yard is acting professionally and responsibly.
Our yard has also been heavily modified to accommodate the modern dismantling process as well as aiming for compliance with future legislation, although not everything is visible; such as the 'traps' in our water drains to stop waste oils and chemicals filtering into the water table and drainage system.
Dismantling Process
The dismantling process has changed dramatically over the past 30 years and our current processing system includes many modifications that have come about from legislation and discussions with other vehicle dismantlers and automotive industry bodies and agencies.
Let's walk through a typical vehicle arriving at our yard for processing:
Sign-Over / Waste Transfer Documentation - When a customer brings a vehicle for disposal we ask for proof of ownership, usually in the form of a V5 and some personal ID that matches the address. We then complete a waste transfer note confirming the vehicle details, and any fees paid for the disposal of the vehicle. These details are later transferred to our computerised records and the paperwork is filed so that we have a signed document proving the request for disposal.
Stock No. Assigned - Every vehicle is given a unique ID number so we can track its progress through the yard. This number also provides an audit trail for any spares we remove and is referenced on paperwork and records related to its eventual disposal (a) Waste transfer notice: purchase of vehicle; (b) Stock tags for spares; (c) DVLA Electronic Certificate of Destruction; (d) vehicle digital images (where necessary).
 Fluids Drained - We now remove fluids that may possibly leak from the vehicle during the dismantling process so they don't get into the water table or drainage system (our drain traps also help to capture any accidental spillages). We store them in specially designed tanks and regularly call-in a specialist recycling agent to remove the fluids for reprocessing or disposal.
Pre-Dismantling - Battery, wheels and tyres are removed to separate reprocessing storage areas. Batteries that are in saleable condition are checked over, recharged and put on our shelves for sale. Unsalable or damaged tyres are stored for disposal to a waste tyre recycler.
Popular Spares Removal - Using our computer generated reports we assess the most popular requested spares for each individual make and model of vehicle. Using this 'hit-list' allows us to remove and stock only those spares that we know people are regularly requesting, maximising our shelf space and saving valuable labour (remaining items are removed on a "as requested" basis).
Job-Card Storage Period - If the vehicle is a popular model, we'll store it in our secure compound for a while. This gives us the opportunity to sell the remaining major spares on a 'by request' basis. It also gives us some control over how the removal of spares is carried out (once in the self-service yard a vehicle is often 'cannibalised').
Self-Service Yard - When we've removed the major spares, or if the vehicle is not a popular model, we will move it to the self-service yard where customers are free to remove any of the remaining spares for themselves.
Crushed and Recycled - Once a vehicle has been 'stripped' or has little or no saleable spares remaining it will be crushed. A bailer crushes the shells into a large square block and these are loaded onto a trailer and delivered to a fragmentiser for metal recovery and recycling.
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