Ever wondered where your car actually goes? Here's the full recycling journey, start to finish.
Around 150,000 vehicles reach the end of the road in New Zealand each year. When we collect yours, it doesn't get dumped or crushed whole — it goes through a proper recovery process.
First we work out the best path: which parts are reusable, and what needs careful handling — an EV battery, an LPG tank, undeployed airbags.
This is the step that matters most for the environment. Fluids and hazards are drained and captured safely: engine oil, coolant, brake and transmission fluid, fuel, air-conditioning refrigerant, the battery, tyres and airbags. Done right, nothing leaks into soil or waterways.
Anything still good is removed and resold, keeping other cars on the road and cutting the need for new parts. For many cars this is where most of the value sits.
The remaining shell is crushed, shredded and separated into ferrous and non-ferrous metal, then melted down into new product. A typical car is around 75% metal by weight, and a well-processed vehicle is roughly 85–90% recoverable.
Recycling steel uses far less energy than making it from raw ore, and recycled aluminium uses up to ~95% less. Choosing a buyer who depollutes and recycles responsibly means your old car is retired the right way — and you still get paid for it.
It's assessed, depolluted (fluids, battery, tyres and airbags removed safely), stripped of reusable parts, then the shell is crushed and recycled into new metal.
A typical car is about 75% metal by weight and roughly 85–90% is recoverable when it's dismantled properly rather than just crushed.
Yes — the parts and metal give it value, so you receive cash and free removal.
Ready to scrap your car? Get a firm cash offer in 60 seconds — call 0800 000 523 or use our instant quote. Free removal anywhere in NZ.
Get top cash for your scrap car — anywhere in New Zealand. Free same-day removal, paid on the spot.