Everything people own cycles through the same course of new, used, and old. But old things can get a new lease of life. And one case where that happens is with salvage parts.
If you live in the Beehive state, take a look at the salvage yards in Utah to check on day-to-day operations and opportunities. These yeards receive old cars, remove usable parts, and sell them for installation on other vehicles. There are more than 8,000 salvage plants across the nation—so start turning your trash into treasure by learning the ins and outs of salvage yards.
1 What is auto salvage?
Auto salvage involves deconstructing old cars into parts for reuse. In the case of unsalvagable scraps, yards recycle what they cannot repair. Next, they refurbish and sell the usable parts, with any unwanted leftover vehicles going to salvaged title sellers.
2 How do salvage yards work?
The salvage yard begins processing vehicles by removing all fluids, tanks, batteries, and tires to eliminate possible combustions.
After finishing the initial processing, disassembly continues, removing anything sellable parts. The remaining useless bits become scrap metal. After the mechanic pulls every reusable piece for reselling or rebuilding, all leftover metal becomes scraps.
Additionally, some junkyards leave the vehicles intact, only removing parts as customers need them.
3 Why use auto salvage?
Recycling is in everyone’s best interest. It has many positive results, including:
- Reducing waste and environmental impact
- Providing savings for car owners who purchase used parts
- Lowering energy costs for creating steel and other materials
Recycling through auto salvage is best for inoperative and unwanted vehicles, likely ones that are old and broken down. If the price to repair the car is more than the cost of a new ride, it may be worth selling to a salvage yard for scrap money.
4 How are junkyards different from each other?
Some salvage yards remove, clean, repair, and sell vehicle parts in an on-site store.
Other junkyards keep all vehicles intact, allowing customers to remove specific parts from old cars for personal use. Some companies take in all vehicles, while others refuse abandoned cars, so call your local salvage yard to determine which options suit you.
5 How is a salvage yard different from a scrap yard?
A salvage yard or junkyard buys cars to sell parts. Whether the salvage company or customer removes the components, the goal remains to sell functional and recyclable pieces. Yards send any unusable metal from the vehicles to a scrap yard.
The scrap yard then purchases, separates, and sells leftover bits, sending recyclable metals to facilities across the country. 
6 How do I get the best price for my vehicle?
Getting the best price for your vehicle depends on several factors. If the car is more than ten years old and inoperable, you’ll likely find a higher bid from a salvage yard. If your car still runs and needs minor repairs, you can expect better prices from a used car sale.
If the car is too old, chances are a scrap yard is the only option that will offer you any money. Since metal sells by the pound, the price they offer you for your scrap car is also per pound.
7 Can I buy a salvage car?
Salvage yards sometimes refurbish entire vehicles if the parts are in reasonable condition. However, remember that a car with a salvage title has a lower worth – up to 40% of the exact vehicle with a clean title. Though auto insurance may cost less for this type of vehicle, it’ll pay out less in case of damage.
8 What else do I need to know?
Many salvage yards will provide a quote telling you how much they pay for vehicles, allowing you to consider the price before accepting or denying their offer. However, if you still owe a loan for your car, you cannot sell it to a salvage yard.
Additionally, keep your license plates after the sale, mainly if you sell to a junkyard, as you’ll need them for DMV purposes when registering a new vehicle. Once you cancel your insurance and notify your local DMV, track down the title, as most yards require proof of purchase.
Wrap Up
Now that you know how salvage yards work, you can better decide if it’s the best solution for your situation. For example, if your car is old and costs more to repair than buying a new one, consider selling it to a junkyard nearby for quick and easy cash.
