Which parts are worth salvaging from a car with a faulty gearbox and engine, which is due to be scrapped?

Question

I have a Vauxhall Astra and its oil pump has just gone, which has in turn damaged the engine. It still runs, but getting this repaired, especially for a car of its age, would definitely not be worth it and the auto gearbox plays up as well, so we've decided to scrap it.

I have now bought another car, which is exactly the same make, model and shape of Astra, and was wondering which parts I could salvage off the old one, that I could keep in case the replacement needs them? It has recently had its exhaust and head gasket done, but I wouldn't know how easy or hard it would be to keep these parts?

I haven't got that much storage space, or much time for taking the parts out (someone is due to be scrapping it tonight, would this affect the £60 they're willing to pay me for the car?), so I need to do it quickly.

Any advice appreciated.

Answer 1

Considering your storage constraints, I'd consider the battery if it's fairly new and you can charge it from time to time, maybe light fittings & bulbs, wheel trims too if you have steel wheels - Vauxhalls are notorious for losing them.



It may indeed affect what the scrappie is willing to pay, as he probably has those items in mind too.



Up to you, I'd probably just get rid of the thing.

Answer 2

how much space have you got? enough for the side windows just in case some scum bag might pop them or some elses, thats £15 a glass, get the exhaust off thats at least fifty quid of your money, what about the tyres they any good? most scrappers use a flat bed motor with a hiab to collect motors that have been dumped and so if you want the tyres ask them to pick the motor up have the wheel nuts loose ready to spin them off when the car is in the air, headlights indicators, and also take the windscreen wiper and indicator stalks these are prone to failiure on these motors.

Hows the spare tyre any good? have that as well and the jack, what about the wing mirrors have them as well, what ever you can fit in to your storage space.

The scrap value of a motor has increased a lot just for the wieght alone so what ever the scrap dealer can get on top of that is a bonus, even a bare motor should net you £20 - £30 for its wieght alone now.

Shame you aint local to me i would strip that motor bare as i have done to my friends motors like Escorts and Astra's

Answer 3

Anything that is aluminum or copper, like the radiator, transmission case, heads, intake manifold are going to get a good price at the scrapyard. If you want to sell parts to people for repairs then just run an ad saying that you want to "part out" the cars, people will be able to just take what they want. The more you take off of it, the less the junkyard will give you when you scrap them.

Answer 4

Considering the storage space and time issues that constrain you there is very little worth removing from the car you are disposing of. Personally I would just let the whole thing go

Answer 5

The ECU (Engine control unit) this can be very expensive too replace and some company's that specialise in reconditioning ECU's will buy them from you, or if you put it on Ebay, you will get a fair bit for it.

Answer 6

Have a quick look on Ebay to see what parts from your car sell.

Electric window motors ususally sell well

Electric mirrors are also in demand







.

Answer 7

Keep the radio and the speakers. If the indicator/headlamp lenses fit then keep them too. Ditch the rest. If you are a Blues Brothers fan keep the cigarette lighter as well.

Answer 8

it wont make a difference what you take off they will only weigh it and crush it so i would take off all the good bits you can