If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens once you scrap your car, here’s a look at the journey it takes after you hand over the keys.
At Ace Car Breakers, we don’t just give you a quote and wave goodbye. Your vehicle is processed on-site at our fully licensed Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) in Swanscombe, where it goes through a strict depollution and recycling process that meets all current UK regulations.
Here’s a video showing the process in action with the claw dropping a car into the crusher with satisfying ease.
First stop: depollution
Before anything else, the car is safely depolluted. This means draining out all fluids like fuel, oil, brake fluid and coolant. These are collected and disposed of safely or recycled in accordance with strict environmental rules laid out by the Environment Agency. The battery and tyres are also removed, and any airbags are carefully discharged.
Want to know more about the depollution standards we follow? If so, you can read about the Environment Agency’s guidance for ATFs here.
Next: parts removal and recycling
If your car has reusable parts, we remove them for resale or reuse. Components like alternators, starter motors, doors and lights are checked over and either sold on or used for repairs elsewhere. It’s a great way to reduce waste and give other vehicles a new lease of life.
Then comes the crushing…
Once the car is stripped and cleared, it’s time for the crusher. The shell is compressed into a metal cube ready to be sent off to a specialist metal recycler. These cubes are melted down and reused in new products, reducing the need for mining fresh raw materials.
You can actually see part of this process in action in the video featured further up the page. The mighty claw at Ace makes light work of the job, reducing a vehicle to scrap in seconds.
Eco-friendly from start to finish
We’re proud to operate a site that meets all Environment Agency regulations. Scrapping your vehicle with Ace means everything is done properly, and your paperwork is handled the right way too.
If you’d like to check our credentials, you can find us listed on the Environment Agency public register here:
The benefits of scrapping with a licensed yard
- Proper disposal of fluids and hazardous parts
- Certified compliance with UK waste and recycling laws
- Maximum material recovery to reduce landfill
- Full paperwork and Certificates of Destruction issued
Scrap your car the right way
When you scrap with Ace Car Breakers, you’re not only getting a fair quote and same day payment, you’re also helping protect the planet and supporting a professional, licensed team who’ve been doing this since 1978.
Got an old car to scrap? Get your instant quote now or visit us in Swanscombe. Your car could be next in line for the crusher, and you can watch it all happen in the video at the top of this blog.