Ford has produced a wide range of vehicles over the years, from passenger cars such as the Falcon to popular utes such as the Ranger. While many Ford vehicles provide years of reliable service, eventually some become too old, damaged or expensive to repair.
When that happens, sending the vehicle to a professional wrecker can give it another purpose through parts recovery and recycling.
But what actually happens to an old Ford after it reaches a wrecker?
There are several reasons a Ford owner may decide that keeping the vehicle is no longer practical.
Common situations include:
The condition of the vehicle does not necessarily mean it has no remaining value. A wrecker can look at the vehicle differently from a conventional private buyer because individual components and recyclable materials may still be useful.
Learn More: Recycling Old Ford Vehicles in Wellington
Although the Ford Falcon is no longer produced, many examples remain on New Zealand roads and in the used vehicle market.
Depending on the model, year and condition, components such as engines, transmissions, wheels, body panels, interior components and electrical parts may still be useful.
This is one reason an older Falcon that is no longer economical to repair may still be suitable for dismantling.
Instead of the entire vehicle being treated as waste, usable components can potentially be recovered and made available for other vehicles.
Ford Rangers are widely used as work vehicles, family vehicles and recreational utes.
Because they are commonly used for towing, off-road driving and commercial work, some older Rangers eventually experience significant mechanical or body damage.
A damaged Ranger may still contain components that can be recovered, depending on its condition.
Parts such as engines, transmissions, suspension components, wheels, panels and interior items may potentially have a second life.
For Ranger owners facing a major repair bill, it can therefore be useful to compare the cost of repairing the vehicle with the option of selling it to a Ford wrecker.
When assessing an unwanted Ford, a vehicle recycler may consider several factors.
A running vehicle and a severely damaged non-running vehicle will naturally be assessed differently.
The extent of accident damage, mechanical condition, corrosion and missing components can all affect the vehicle’s potential value.
Some Ford models and variants may have stronger demand for replacement components than others.
The age and specification of the vehicle can also affect which parts are likely to be reusable.
A vehicle may be valuable because of the individual components it contains rather than its value as a complete car.
Popular replacement parts can potentially be removed, checked and resold where appropriate.
Vehicles contain significant amounts of recoverable materials, including steel, aluminium and other metals.
After useful components have been removed, remaining materials can be processed for recycling rather than simply being sent to landfill.
Professional vehicle dismantling involves more than simply taking a car apart.
A typical recycling process can include:
The exact process varies depending on the vehicle and the recycling facility.
Vehicle recycling can reduce the amount of automotive material that becomes waste.
Recovering usable components also means that replacement parts do not always need to be manufactured from new materials.
For vehicle owners, recycling can provide a practical way to deal with a car or ute that has reached the end of its useful life.
It can also save owners from the difficulty of trying to advertise and arrange the sale of a severely damaged or non-running vehicle privately.
If you have an old Ford sitting in your driveway, garage or workplace, there are several ways you could approach the situation.
You might repair it, sell it privately, trade it in or contact a vehicle recycler.
For an older or damaged vehicle, contacting Ford wreckers in Wellington can be worth considering, particularly when the estimated repair cost is high or the vehicle is no longer practical to drive.
Kiwi Auto Wreckers can provide an option for owners looking to sell unwanted, damaged or end-of-life vehicles and arrange vehicle removal where applicable.
Before making a decision, it is useful to provide accurate information about the vehicle’s make, model, year, condition and whether it is running.
You can make the process easier by preparing a few details beforehand.
Have information such as:
Also remember to check the vehicle carefully for personal belongings before it is collected.
An old vehicle may look like it has little value when it is sitting unused, damaged or unable to start.
However, its value may come from a combination of factors rather than simply the vehicle’s condition as a complete car.
Reusable parts, demand for particular Ford components and recyclable materials can all contribute to its potential value.
That is why getting an assessment before deciding what to do with an unwanted Ford can be worthwhile.
If your Falcon, Ranger or another Ford has become too expensive to repair, is damaged, or is simply no longer wanted, vehicle recycling may provide a practical alternative.
Rather than leaving the vehicle sitting unused, you can explore whether it has value for parts recovery and recycling.
If you have an old, damaged, unwanted or non-running Ford in Wellington, contact Kiwi Auto Wreckers to discuss your vehicle.
You can ask about a vehicle assessment and free vehicle removal, depending on the vehicle and location.
Whether you have an older Falcon, Ranger or another Ford model, getting an assessment can help you understand your options before deciding whether to repair, sell or recycle the vehicle.
Contact Kiwi Auto Wreckers today to discuss your unwanted Ford and find out about your vehicle removal options.