What happens to my car which is being scrapped?

The Final Farewell

We've all been there. That moment when you realise your trusty old car, the one that's been with you through thick and thin, taken you from A to B is no longer fit for the road. It's a tough decision to make, but sometimes it's necessary. You might wonder, "What happens to my car when being scrapped?" Here's a glimpse into the journey your old car takes from your driveway to the scrapyard.

Deciding to Scrap My Car

The decision to scrap my car wasn't an easy one. After years of reliable service, countless road trips, and daily commutes, it was more than just a car; it was a huge part of my life story. However, with soaring repair costs and breakdowns becoming far to frequent, it was time to say goodbye.

The first step in this process was finding a reputable company that specialises in scrapping cars. After some research and recommendations from friends, I found Benfleet Scrap Co who offered a good price based on the make, model, year, and condition of my car.

The Pick-Up Process

Once Benfleet Scrap booked my car in for pick up from my driveway, this was an incredibly convenient service as it saved me from having to figure out how to transport an inoperable vehicle myself.

Their tow truck arrived at the scheduled time and after some quick paperwork formalities; they loaded up my old car onto their truck. It was a bittersweet moment watching it being taken away for the last time.

The Scrapping Process

After pick-up, my old car was transported directly to their scrapyard depot where it began its final journey. But what exactly happens when you scrap your car? (Read our FAQs.)

Firstly, any hazardous materials such as oil or coolant are drained safely and disposed of responsibly following all environmental regulations. Then tyres are removed and recycled separately since they don't melt down well during metal recycling.

Next comes depollution where all harmful substances are removed before dismantling can begin. This includes draining all fluids like brake fluid and power steering fluid that could potentially harm the environment if not disposed of properly.

Then comes dismantling where valuable parts like engines or transmissions are removed for resale if they're still in good condition. Other parts like batteries or catalytic converters can also be sold separately due to their high value.

Finally comes crushing where what’s left of your old car is crushed into a small cube or flat piece of metal ready for recycling into new products.

The Environmental Impact

One thing that helped ease my sadness over scrapping my old car was knowing that Benfleet Scrap would be recycling most parts rather than ending up in landfill sites. In fact, around 80% of an average vehicle can be recycled!

Steel from scrapped cars is often used in construction or even in making new vehicles while other materials like plastic and glass can also be repurposed into new products

A New Beginning

While saying goodbye to my old car wasn't easy, understanding what happened to it once I waved it goodbye gave me peace of mind knowing that its parts would go on to have new life elsewhere rather than simply ending up as waste.

So next time you find yourself wondering "Should I scrap my car?", remember this journey from 'driveway to scrapyard' and know that you're making an environmentally responsible choice while also giving your beloved vehicle one final chance at usefulness.

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