If you’ve sold your unwanted or damaged car to Cash For Cars Christchurch, you probably know the best part – instant cash in your hand and free removal. But what happens after our tow truck drives away with your old vehicle?
It’s not just about getting rid of the car – there’s an entire process behind the scenes that ensures your vehicle is properly recycled, salvaged, and disposed of in an eco-friendly way.
Here’s a breakdown of what happens to your scrap car after removal in Christchurch.
1. Pickup & Instant Payment
The process starts the moment you accept our cash offer. Our team arrives at your location, pays you on the spot (either in cash or instant bank transfer), and loads the vehicle onto our truck.
Because we handle all the paperwork and towing for free, you don’t have to lift a finger – we handle everything right there on the spot.
2. Transport to Our Scrap Yard
Once collected, your car is taken directly to our Christchurch facility. Here, our experienced team carries out a detailed inspection to determine:
Which parts can be reused or resold
Which materials can be recycled
Which components need safe disposal
3. Removal of Hazardous Fluids & Components
Cars contain many fluids and chemicals that can harm the environment if not handled correctly – things like oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid.
Our technicians carefully drain and store these liquids for proper disposal or recycling, following New Zealand environmental regulations.
We also remove hazardous components like batteries, airbags, and tyres, ensuring nothing dangerous ends up in landfills.
4. Salvaging Usable Parts
Not every part of your scrap car is worthless – in fact, many components can still be used.
We identify parts in good working condition such as:
Engines & gearboxes
Alternators & starter motors
Wheels & tyres
Doors, mirrors, and panels
Interior components
These parts are then cleaned, tested, and sold as quality second-hand parts to local customers, helping keep other vehicles on the road at a lower cost.
5. Recycling the Metal
Once the usable parts are removed, the car shell is prepared for metal recycling. Modern cars are made up of around 65–70% steel and other metals like aluminium and copper.
The shell is crushed, shredded, and sent to metal recycling plants where it’s melted down and transformed into raw material for new products – from construction beams to new car bodies.
This process saves enormous amounts of energy compared to producing metal from scratch and significantly reduces environmental impact.
6. Eco-Friendly Disposal of Non-Recyclable Materials
While most of a car can be recycled, there are always a few materials that cannot be reused – such as certain plastics, foams, and upholstery materials.
We work with licensed waste disposal facilities to ensure these materials are handled safely and in compliance with all environmental standards.
7. Benefits for You & the Environment
When you choose Cash For Cars Christchurch, you’re not just getting quick cash – you’re also contributing to a cleaner, greener future.
Here’s why:
Reduces landfill waste – less junk in our environment
Conserves natural resources – recycled metals reduce the need for mining
Supports local industry – salvaged parts help local car owners save money
Minimises pollution – safe disposal of hazardous fluids protects our waterways and soil
Why Christchurch Locals Love This Process
For our customers, the process is stress-free:
No need to worry about finding a buyer for a non-running car
No transport costs
Instant payment
Peace of mind knowing the car is recycled responsibly
For the community, it means fewer abandoned cars, cleaner streets, and a smaller carbon footprint.
Ready to Sell Your Scrap Car in Christchurch?
Whether it’s a broken-down sedan, a damaged ute, or a rusted 4WD, we’ll take it off your hands and pay you top dollar for it.
📞 Call 0800 347 626 today or request a free online quote at cashforcarschristchurch.nz.
We’ll handle the removal, pay you instantly, and make sure your old car gets a new life – either through salvaged parts or as recycled metal.
With Cash For Cars Christchurch, you get fast cash, free removal, and peace of mind that your car’s journey after pickup is 100% eco-friendly.
