| Cars are expensive things. To get on the road, you | | | | goes... where? A salvage yard? To be repaired for |
| not only have to buy the car, you have to purchase | | | | resale? To auction? Possibly, or it goes to a car |
| insurance, road tax and then you have to fill up the | | | | salvage specialist. Some car salvage companies will |
| tank with what seems like pure liquid money. Cars | | | | "break" the car into parts and sell the parts |
| are not purchases that should be taken lightly. The | | | | individually, which sounds like a lot of effort, but |
| main expense is the car itself; obviously how much | | | | profits can be made in the long run. Other car |
| you spend depends greatly on your needs. | | | | salvage specialists may provide auctions to the |
| It's an upset that the cars value depreciates as soon | | | | damaged but salvageable cars themselves. These |
| as it leaves the show room, but the average car life | | | | auctions, more often than not, will have fantastic |
| expectancy floats around the 8 year mark, so you | | | | bargains to be had if you are able to repair vehicles |
| can sit tight in the knowledge that your car "should" | | | | and have them looking "as good as new". |
| last for that long or even longer. The 8 year | | | | The price for a damaged car is obviously not going |
| estimate doesn't factor in other problems though, for | | | | to be even close to its real market value. That's |
| example other drivers on the road. Other drivers can | | | | why, given some time and effort, you could make |
| cause huge problems and I often say that if I were | | | | some real money buying, repairing, and selling on the |
| the only driver on the road I'd never have a driving | | | | cars. It is a big industry for a lot of people, but it isn't |
| problem. For example; you are quite happy cruising | | | | really publicised. It's almost like an unknown money |
| along on the road and a car cruising along in the | | | | maker. The resale of the cars can be hugely |
| opposite direction is quite happy too, it has a lapse in | | | | beneficial, but you would need to know if there is a |
| judgement and swerves to avoid a pothole and hits | | | | good amount of possible profit in each car. How |
| the right corner of your vehicle, you have a problem. | | | | much do I want to spend on the car in its damaged |
| Sure the damage might be repairable, but what if it | | | | state? How much is the car worth in a good |
| isn't? What if you cost of repair becomes more than | | | | condition? How many hours will the repair take? Have |
| the actual value of the car? That's what the industry | | | | I got the skills or employees to carry out the repairs? |
| calls a "write-off". | | | | How cheaply can I buy the parts and where would I |
| You have a few options, you could sell the car in it's | | | | get them from (eBay is a very good source for used |
| damaged state if you don't want to go through the | | | | car parts)? Where can I get a section re-spray from |
| insurance hassles. Accept the settlement from the | | | | if needed or would I do it myself? Where would I sell |
| insurers or you could try and repair the car yourself | | | | the repaired car? Those are the main questions I |
| with parts found auction web sites. | | | | would ask myself every time I'd take on a new |
| I know, I know, you didn't ask for any of these | | | | project. |
| options, you'd much rather still be sat in your car | | | | Maybe you don't want to buy said cars to resell; |
| happily cruising along, but that's life and "stuff | | | | maybe you are looking for a new car to suit your |
| happens". | | | | own needs. No matter which way you look at it, |
| Maybe the opposite is more appropriate to your | | | | buying a damaged vehicle from car salvage auctions |
| interests: Maybe you are in the car industry and are a | | | | could save you money. Sure it would be more effort |
| specialist at repairing cars and fixing the damage. | | | | than buying a car from a dealer but you won't have |
| Maybe such an accident as detailed above is good | | | | the satisfaction of "fixing up" the car, if that is what |
| news for you. For example, said damaged car has | | | | interests you. Remember that buying and selling is big |
| been paid for and taken away by the insurers at the | | | | business and it's the backbone of most economies, |
| market value, the owner is happy with their new | | | | be wise, be smart, make some good choices and |
| cheque that covers the costs (less their insurance | | | | you will be rewarded. |
| excess if they were to blame) and then the car | | | | |