Dismantling cars for parts - business premises?

motorguy

scotsman4th wrote: »

Father tried it in the 80's when British Leyland shut, can only see it being harder nowadays.

Buy an established business?

Bound to be easier. I know of a good few people who buy a car, strip it, photograph all the parts, then list them on ebay.

motorguy

Kilty wrote: »

Could you be a motor trader operating from a backstreet unit with one or two cars for sale and the rest being broken for spares because "you bought them from the auction and they're too knackered to sell" ?

+1

Personally, i'd hire a small unit, put a couple of cars in them, strip them, photograph the parts, list them on ebay / online shop then wait. What hasnt sold in 2 months, either bundle it up if its metal to your local scrappie, keep if its small, or otherwise dispose of.

Repeat.

Hammyman

tupac662 wrote: »

Hi, does anyone on here own a scrapyard or dismantle cars for a living; i.e buy cars privately/auction then sell individual parts either online or at the premises.

Just wondering how difficult it is to lease a piece of land or unused industrial site.

I've spoken to my local council about licenses I'd be required to have, but so far been unable to find a piece of land to run the business from.

It's quite disheartening having worked so hard to save up enough funds for start up costs, have cars ready, have a ready market... but currently lacking the premises

Anyone with any experience in this kind of business?

Should I just approach all farmers in the outskirts of the city and ask to lease land?

I've tried Rightmove and found 3 sites (bad location and overpriced) but still on my list.

Thanks in advance.

I used to work in it. Everything has changed. Its not just a case of getting a bit of land then taking cars to bits. The amount of environmental legislation is horrendous. For example, you have to have a dedicated area for removal of all fluids and that even includes the oil from shock absorbers nowadays. This area has to have gulleys and under ground catch tanks so there is absolutely no possible way for any to leak into the ground. And you need to have a way of disposing of that via licenced waste companies. You can spend £10,000's just building that.

You will not be able to do it on farmland.

The days of getting a field and just piling cars 5 high letting punters climb over them to get the parts is long gone.

motorguy

Hammyman wrote: »

I used to work in it. Everything has changed. Its not just a case of getting a bit of land then taking cars to bits. The amount of environmental legislation is horrendous. For example, you have to have a dedicated area for removal of all fluids and that even includes the oil from shock absorbers nowadays. This area has to have gulleys and under ground catch tanks so there is absolutely no possible way for any to leak into the ground. And you need to have a way of disposing of that via licenced waste companies. You can spend £10,000's just building that.

You will not be able to do it on farmland.

The days of getting a field and just piling cars 5 high letting punters climb over them to get the parts is long gone.

What about partial breaking? ie, stripping off the easily sellable parts, trim, etc, then having the very oily bits professionally scrapped?

forgotmyname

Had the same problem a few years back, Eventually found a small lockup that would allow you to work on cars most places wont even allow car repairs never mind breakers.

Issue now is you need a licence for everything, They want to know everything.

As soon as the vehicle comes in you need to drain all fluids into seperate containers without any dripping onto the floor. They want to know how and where you will dispose of these fluids.

Containers need to be in a position, if there is a spill it wont leak into the sewers or contaminate the ground.

Not declaring that you are breaking cars and failure to get the correct permits will be very very expensive if you get caught.

Rolandtheroadie

pgilc1 wrote: »

Bound to be easier. I know of a good few people who buy a car, strip it, photograph all the parts, then list them on ebay.

Not if your doing it legitimately it wont be.

tupac662

Wow! Thanks for all the advice guys...
Seems like the council and environmental agencies will screw us over with too many rules & regulations!
We've got an appointment with a bloke who'se leasing a disused warehouse in 2 weeks time. We haven't mentioned the nature of the business to him yet, so I hope it's not a straight no.

Just to add that most of the parts will be for export only and not for the UK market as profit margins are much much better.

Hoping for a positive week ahead :beer:

Hammyman

pgilc1 wrote: »

What about partial breaking? ie, stripping off the easily sellable parts, trim, etc, then having the very oily bits professionally scrapped?

Makes no difference. The fluid disposal is the first procedure that HAS to be done.

JPS29

I am a breaker.
You have a HUGE hill to climb.
Fristly, you need to register with local council as a motor salvage operator, this will only be granted once police checks ahve come back, you have paid the fee, and there are no objections from police, council in the area.
You then need at least a waste carriers licence for transporting the cars/ You need a recovery truck, traders insurance, public liabiltiy insurance, premises that will alllow your trade.
You will then need planning permission as I did for the premises to be used as "suis generis", ie not storage, warehousing, industrial, but in a class of its own. When you apply for this the council inform the environment agency, united utilities, environmental health, all local tenants/businesses and this is where your headaches start. You're looking realistically in the region of £50 k to set up LEGITIMITELY, there will be those whose mates do it from front gardens etc, but in time they will get reported and cease trading.
Hope this helps?

s_b

JPS29 wrote: »

I am a breaker.
You have a HUGE hill to climb.
Fristly, you need to register with local council as a motor salvage operator, this will only be granted once police checks ahve come back, you have paid the fee, and there are no objections from police, council in the area.
You then need at least a waste carriers licence for transporting the cars/ You need a recovery truck, traders insurance, public liabiltiy insurance, premises that will alllow your trade.
You will then need planning permission as I did for the premises to be used as "suis generis", ie not storage, warehousing, industrial, but in a class of its own. When you apply for this the council inform the environment agency, united utilities, environmental health, all local tenants/businesses and this is where your headaches start. You're looking realistically in the region of £50 k to set up LEGITIMITELY, there will be those whose mates do it from front gardens etc, but in time they will get reported and cease trading.
Hope this helps?

thanks for that:)
do you have a headlight bulb for a corsa:D;)