Selling Your Car for Scrap in Massachusetts

Before you sell a car as scrap metal in Mattapoisett, there are certain things that must be done before the vehicle can be taken to a salvage yard for processing. This article will focus on all of the steps that you must do before you can sell your car for scrap. Make sure to check with your local Massachusetts salvage yard for any additional requirements and steps that must be taken according to state regulations.

Another alternative is to take your vehicle down to Mid City Scrap Iron and Salvage in Westport, MA. They specialize in vehicle recycling and have specialized equipment that can help the efficiently recycle all of the automobile parts as scrap metal. You don’t have to do a thing – their “de-pollution staff” will remove any hazardous parts, batteries, fluids and tires so the vehicle can be recycled according to industry standards. Once everything is removed, the vehicle goes through a shredding or bailing process so the metals can be used again.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Auto Recycling: The Hard Way
If you decide not to let Mid City Scrap Iron & Salvage do the work for you, there are a number of things you will want to make sure you do before scrapping your car at the salvage yard. If you want to recover any of the scrap metal auto parts or items listed and still take the vehicle to Mid City, they will accept your automobile either way. How you do it will just depend on the amount of time and trouble you want to invest in stripping the vehicle to get it ready for recycling.

Step One – Fluids
Drain all of the fluids from the vehicle. These can be extremely hazardous and must be handled and disposed of according to Massachusetts state law. Oil, transmission fluid, wiper fluid, brake fluid and radiator fluid must all be completely removed.

Step Two – Radiator
Go ahead and remove the radiator, the cover to the radiator and the battery. Again, all of these things will need to be recycled and/or disposed of separately and according to Massachusetts state law.

Step Three – More Parts
Remove the container for the brake fluid, the starter, the carburetor, the distributor cab, the air filter and the spark plugs. You will want to check with your local scrap metal recycling center or Massachusetts salvage yard to find out if they will accept any of these scrap metal auto parts.

Step Four – Wires
This can be a very time-consuming process, but you will need to remove all of the wires that lead throughout the vehicle from the car’s dashboard to both fenders. Some scrappers collect wire for the copper elements inside, so it is up to you if you want to keep or recycle any of these parts. Either way, you can go ahead and cut the wires for removal – no need to keep them completely intact.

Step Five – Hood and Trunk
Remove the hood and trunk of the vehicle. These items can usually be recycled as-is. Again, check with your local salvage company to find out what to do about automobile parts as scrap metal and what is accepted.

Step Six – Engine
You will need some specialized tools to remove the engine from the vehicle. An engine hoist uses chains to lift the engine out of your car. Attach the chains and remove all of the bolts from the transmission and the catalytic converter. Before raising the engine out of the car, you must also remove the motor mounts. Remove any wires or parts that are left inside the engine compartment at this time.

Step Seven – Even More Parts
Once you’ve got the engine out you can remove the transmission and the exhaust system from the vehicle. The catalytic converter contains precious non-ferrous metals that can be sold and recycled for a much higher price per pound than just about anything else on the vehicle. Make sure to check with your local salvage yard for details on recycling your catalytic converter.

Step Eight – Interior
On the inside of the car, remove the dashboard, seats, steering wheel, door panels and any carpeting that is inside the car and the trunk. You will need to dispose of most of these interior items, as they aren’t typically accepted at your local Massachusetts salvage yard because they aren’t scrap metal auto parts. If in good condition, you can try selling these items on Craigslist or eBay.

Step Nine – What’s Left
Now you can take the remaining vehicle and any parts you want to sell for recycling to the local salvage yard or recycling center. If the salvage company won’t take the tires you will have to bring them back to your home or shop and dispose of them in another way.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Auto Recycling: The Easy Way
Recycling a car using the step-by-step guide and methods above requires some car dis-assembly skills, tools, storage and the ability to properly dispose of all hazardous parts and materials. However, there is an easier way. Introducing the step-by-step guide to auto recycling: the easy way!

Step One – Take your vehicle to Mid City Scrap Iron & Salvage on State Road in Westport, MA. They will take care of all the above steps for you and give you a fair price for your scrap metal auto parts. If you want to sell a car as scrap metal in Mattapoisett or anywhere in the South Coast region, call Mid City Scrap for details about vehicle recycling and find out just how easy it is to recycle your vehicle in Southeastern Massachusetts.

That’s it. There aren’t any more steps. Mid City Scrap Iron and Salvage will take care of all the dirty work and pay you a fair price when you sell your car as scrap metal in Mattapoisett.