If you’ve ever sold your old vehicle to Cash For Cars Palmerston North, you might wonder — what actually happens to it after it’s towed away? The process is more than just loading it on a truck and sending it to the dump. In reality, your car goes through a carefully planned journey that helps protect the environment, recycles valuable materials, and supports the local economy.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what happens after your scrap car is removed — step by step.
Step 1: Towing & Transport to the Wrecking Yard
Once you’ve accepted our cash offer, our professional tow truck team collects your vehicle from your home, workplace, or farm. The car is safely secured and transported to our licensed wrecking yard in Palmerston North or a partnered recycling facility.
This step ensures your vehicle is handled with care — whether it’s still running, completely dead, or missing major parts.
Step 2: Initial Vehicle Assessment
When your car arrives at the yard, our experienced dismantlers inspect it thoroughly. They look for:
Reusable parts that can be sold as spares
Valuable metals like aluminium, copper, and steel
Components containing hazardous materials that need safe disposal
This assessment is key to maximising the car’s recycling potential while ensuring nothing harmful enters the environment.
Step 3: Safe Fluid & Hazardous Material Removal
Before dismantling, all fluids are carefully drained, including:
Engine oil
Transmission fluid
Brake fluid
Coolant
Fuel
Batteries, airbags, and other hazardous components are also removed and disposed of according to strict environmental regulations. This step prevents leaks that could harm soil and waterways in Palmerston North and beyond.
Step 4: Salvaging Usable Parts
Many parts from scrap cars are still in good working condition. These might include:
Engines & gearboxes
Doors & panels
Tyres & rims
Alternators, starter motors, radiators
Headlights, taillights, mirrors
Our team tests and stores these parts for resale, offering affordable options for local car owners looking for replacements.
Step 5: Metal Recycling
The stripped car body is crushed and sent for metal recycling. Steel, aluminium, and other metals are processed and sold to manufacturers, where they’re melted down and repurposed into new products — anything from construction materials to new vehicle parts.
Step 6: Eco-Friendly Disposal of Non-Recyclable Materials
Not every part of a vehicle can be recycled. Upholstery, plastics, and some composites are disposed of in an environmentally responsible way, ensuring minimal landfill waste.
Why This Process Matters for Palmerston North
When you sell to Cash For Cars Palmerston North, you’re not just getting rid of an unwanted car — you’re contributing to a greener, cleaner community. Our process:
Reduces landfill waste
Conserves natural resources through metal recycling
Prevents pollution from hazardous fluids
Supports the local parts supply chain
How You Benefit
The best part? You get paid top cash instantly for a car you no longer need, while knowing it’s being handled in a way that benefits the planet and local economy. Plus, you don’t have to lift a finger — we do it all for you.
FAQs
Q: Do you recycle every car you buy?
Yes, every vehicle goes through our dismantling and recycling process.
Q: Can I sell a car with missing parts?
Absolutely — we’ll still buy it and recycle what’s left.
Q: Do you remove the car for free?
Yes, removal is always free within Palmerston North and nearby towns.
Q: How fast can you collect my vehicle?
Often the same day you call us.
Q: Will I get paid before or after removal?
We pay you cash on the spot before towing.
If you’re ready to turn your unwanted car into instant money while helping the environment, call 0800 153 019 and let Cash For Cars Palmerston North handle the rest — from removal to recycling.
