A lot of people are familiar with auto salvage but often confuse it for being the same as junking scrap vehicles. While a salvage yard will accept both types of junk cars, there’s more to this auto recycling process. Salvage cars can be dismantled to retrieve reusable auto parts, which make them more valuable relative to scrap vehicles. Here’s what you need to know about auto salvage and its significance in recycling.

What Does Auto Salvage Mean?

Simply put, auto salvage is the process of stripping used or old vehicles of their usable parts and components, which are then refurbished or recycled. Working used auto parts, such as transmissions, cooling systems, lights, doors, and windows, are sold as less expensive alternatives to brand new replacements. Auto salvage is the term used for vehicles that are decommissioned for several reasons, such as old age, extensive mechanical problems, involvement in serious accidents, or damage by flooding or fire. People who purchase salvage vehicles work with junkyards and cash for car companies.  

Why Are Salvage Yards Important?

Before wrecked or derelict vehicles are taken to the wrecking yard, they are brought to salvage yards first for knocking down reusable parts. Some salvage yards offer towing services for vehicles that are no longer in good running condition. They drain the fluids and remove other hazardous chemicals from the vehicle before pulling it apart. Many yards keep the auto parts in a warehouse with a computerized inventory system, but some are styled as self-service yards where customers can remove the parts on their own.

When all that’s left of the vehicle is its hulk, it is then sold to a scrap metal processor for shredding and flattening into small chunks for recycling. Automobiles are among the most recycled products in the world, making salvage yards essential in the recycling process.

How Is It Different from a Metal Scrap Yard?

Unlike salvage yards, metal scrap yards are not limited to vehicles only. Metal scraps can be in all sorts of forms and come from various places like construction sites, manufacturing plants, and even homes. Scraps are gathered together and sold by weight to metal refineries to be recycled and used as raw materials for numerous products.   

Salvage yards are great sources of quality used auto parts for your vehicle. And if you’re looking to dispose of your old clunker, bring it to Stewart’s Used Auto Parts in Barkhamsted, CT, for quick cash. They also offer junk car removal services, but make sure you have the title. Call (860) 379-7541 or visit their website for more information on their services.