11 replies to this topic

[simplyminis]

if i was to open a mini centre selling used mini parts would i need any lisence to do it

any information would be great thanks

[Guess-Works.com]

Shouldn't think so... unless your considering acting as a specialist breakers (salvage) yard, then you#ll have all sorts of environmental issues.

[simplyminis]

well my friend has just started renting a car sales and it has a 45ft lorry container

i was going to stock it with used mini parts

[dave21478]

Where do you plan on getting these parts?
Dismantling cars is a whole world of hurt from the council and environment agency.
First off, planning permission - few councils are willing to grant permission for a breakers as its not seen as green or neighbour-friendly.
second off, the EA will want it all built to the latest spec - fully concreted ground, waste fluid removal systems, fluid storage etc etc etc.
You will need a waste carriers licence.
Health and Safety will want the place inspected.
And there are plenty of other hoops to jump through. Frankly, I doubt its even possible nowadays to open a new, traditional style scrapyard. I would imagine your best bet to be to buy/rent an industrial unit and break one or two cars at a time indoors. Strip them completely, store the parts, dispose of the waste accordingly, and sell the parts off the shelf as a shop-format business. This way would be slightly easier to set up.

[Guess-Works.com]

My recommendation then would be, start small, sell on ebay / web and get yourself to the shows on autojumble pitches. Build up a reputation for quality used spares. A don't allow public access to your 'store' as this introduces all sort of public liability issues.

[simplyminis]

thats what i was thinking

i wont be breaking them at this location it will be at my personal garage, with ive been doing for years

only thing that will be at the yard is used parts and maybe the odd mini for sale

[dave21478]

If you are caught dismantling cars at a private garage and re-selling the parts, you will have your pants pulled down by the EA.
Also, selling the odd mini commercially raises further issues regarding liability and waranty. "sold as seen" doesnt cut it for any car sale from a business.

I wish you luck, but I think you need to do a fair bit more research first.

[simplyminis]

yeah cheers thats what im looking in too

seam lke to much hasstle

[dave21478]

I really dont want to put a dampener on your plans, but it IS a serious hassle to do this sort of thing. I looked into it quite seriously a while back and the regulations that need to be followed will make your head spin. Long-gone are the days of buying a few old cars, trailering them home and stripping them for parts to sell - As soon as you start a business, you now fall at the first hurdle and require a waste carriers licence to transport the cars! From there its a downwards spiral of regulations to be met, all of which robs a little of your profit margin too.

The problem is sourcing your parts.
In todays "enlightened" society, old cars = bad, therefor despite you being a "recycler" councils do not like this sort of thing to be operating, and the Environmet Agency will have a kitten if you set something up that doesnt adhere to the new standards.
Many traditional scrappies have had to close down in recent years simply because the cost of upgrading them to meet these standards is way too high for them to bear.
Unfortunately, there is no real other way to get used parts apart from breaking up cars. Buying parts second hand on the open market and re-selling them will net you such a tiny margin that its simply not worth it unless you are selling massive quantities.

[simplyminis]

cheers for the info

ill take a look into it today but like you said if you looked into it and you have to meet all the requiements its not going to happen

cheers or the info

anyone want to buy a mini just bought 4 this week

bugger

[dave21478]

The other way to do it is "off the books". Buy and break the cars (preferably somewhere with no neighbours to complain - (the driveway on a housing estate wont cut it...ideally a remote farm) and sell the parts via ebay, forums, small adds websites and papers, autojumbles etc.

Lots of people do this. They get away with it. That doesnt mean its "right", but it works for them, and they are obviously willing to risk being caught.
Things to watch out for are....moaning neighbours getting on to the council "...that guy always has old cars in bits lying around..." they will be round like a shot and you then have to prove they are for private use and you arent running a business from a private residence. Any significant oil or coolant spills that contaminate the land - or God forbid - a drain or watercourse will have the EA round with a large unlubed spiky dildo to ram up your ass and a court order for cleanup costs. Also, the local police regularly seeing you towing cars about might take an interest - "ello ello ello, whats all this then?" tell them its private use - banger racing, whatever. if they get a sniff of a commercial operation, they will want to see your waste carriers licence and business use insurnce. Ebay also look out for regular sellers and i believe they liase with inland revenue to see if you are declaring the income as taxable. Same goes for car boot sales etc.
There are pl,enty of moaning sods around who have nothing better to do that write letters of complaint about anything they dont like - it only takes one to land you in the crap.

Edited by dave21478, 20 January 2009 - 08:42 AM.

[simplyminis]

to be honest ive been playing about with mini since i was 9 im 26 now my neighbours are good as gold one is a copper!!!

no real issue with my garage just with opening one to the public is a massive step i think ill leave it ill use the container as a storage place