This is a question we hear more often than people expect at Car Wreckers Napier:
“Once you take the car away… what actually happens to it?”
It’s a fair question. Most people have never dealt with a car wrecker before, and once the vehicle leaves their property, the process feels like a mystery.
So here’s a clear, honest answer — from our side of the business.
The First Step: Removing the Vehicle Properly
When someone calls us on 06 929 0997, the first thing we focus on is safe, practical removal.
Many of the vehicles we collect in Napier:
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don’t start
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are deregistered
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have failed WOF
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have been sitting unused for a long time
They don’t need to be drivable. Our job is to remove the vehicle without causing damage to your property or creating extra hassle.
Once it’s loaded, the responsibility shifts to us.
What Happens After the Car Leaves Your Property
This is where people are often surprised.
A scrap car doesn’t just get dumped somewhere. It goes through a structured process designed to recover value and handle materials responsibly.
Step 1: Fluids & Hazardous Materials Are Removed
Before anything else, the vehicle is depolluted.
That means safely dealing with:
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engine oil
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fuel
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coolant
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brake and transmission fluid
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batteries
This step is especially important in coastal areas like Napier, where environmental protection matters.
Step 2: Usable Parts Are Removed
Not every car is useful as a whole — but many still have working components.
Depending on the vehicle, parts such as:
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engines
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gearboxes
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alternators
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panels
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wheels
may still be usable. Recovering parts reduces waste and extends the life of materials that don’t need to be thrown away.
Step 3: Scrap Metal Is Processed for Recycling
Once usable parts are removed, the remaining shell is processed as scrap metal.
This metal is:
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separated
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prepared
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sent through approved recycling channels
A large portion of a vehicle can be recycled and reused in other industries.
Why This Process Matters in Napier?
Napier’s coastal environment means abandoned or leaking vehicles can quickly become an environmental issue.
Handling scrap cars properly:
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prevents contamination
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reduces landfill waste
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supports responsible recycling
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keeps properties and neighbourhoods clean
This is a big part of why professional car wrecking exists in the first place.
A Misconception We Often Hear
Some people worry:
“I don’t want my car dumped somewhere or handled illegally.”
That’s understandable — and it’s exactly why choosing an established, local operator matters.
When we take a vehicle, it becomes our responsibility to deal with it correctly from start to finish.
Why People in Napier Choose to Deal With It Properly?
Most people don’t call us because they’re excited — they call because they want:
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the space back
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the stress gone
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the problem finished properly
Once the car is gone and handled responsibly, the relief is immediate.
Final Word From Us
If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens to a scrap or unwanted car after it’s picked up, now you know — it’s not guesswork, and it’s not careless disposal.
At Car Wreckers Napier, our role doesn’t end at pickup. We see the process through properly.
If you’ve got an old or unwanted vehicle and you’re unsure what to do next, a quick conversation can make things clear.
📞 Call Car Wreckers Napier on 06 929 0997
