Finding out you need a new car part is never fun – it’s stressful, expensive, and always seems to happen at the worst time. But you don’t have to choose between paying a fortune for brand-new parts or gambling on cheap ones that might not fit or last.
That’s where car breakers yards come in. They can save you a lot of money if you know what you’re doing. And if you’ve never been to one before, don’t worry – If you have never visited one before, you may be imagining standing knee-deep in rusty scrap metal, or staring up at cars piled high like a dangerous game of Jenga.
Most modern yards are surprisingly organised, making it easy to find what you need without the hassle.
What Is a Car Breakers Yard and How Does It Work?
A breakers yard is a place where end-of-life, repair-write-off, or dismantled vehicles are stored for parts. Instead of paying dealer prices, you can pull quality used parts at lower costs — as long as you know how to find them safely and efficiently.
If you’re visiting a car breakers yard for the first time, here are 10 pro tips to make sure you walk away with the right parts — and no regrets.
1. Why Buy Used Parts Instead Of Going to the Dealer?
While buying a brand-new part from the manufacturer may provide you with peace of mind in knowing your parts will be reliable and genuine, it can be very expensive, depending on your vehicle and the part you need.
Used car parts are much more affordable, and many of them are still in great working order, They’re also the greener choice – reusing parts keeps perfectly good materials out of landfills and reduces the energy and resources needed to make new ones.
It’s a win-win: you save money and help the environment.
Here at U-Pull-It, you can find affordable, high-quality green parts. In addition, with a Membership, you can get 40% off everything, plus a whole host of other benefits to make the most of your visit to a U-Pull-It Yard.
2. What’s the Difference Between a Breakers Yard and a Scrap Yard?
Scrap yards often mix car parts with household appliances, pipes, and other scrap metal, making it hard to find what you need in good condition.
Breakers yards, however, are organised by vehicle, so parts are easier to locate and usually in better shape. You’ll need to remove most parts yourself, but the savings and quality make it worth the effort. And if you’re not confident doing it alone, you can bring a friend for free when you become a member at U-Pull It – a handy way to get some extra help without extra cost.
3. Are Cars in a Breakers Yard Always Damaged?
The cars at the breaker’s yards are likely to be damaged, however that doesn’t mean that the parts inside aren’t still in good working order.
For example, a car may have been involved in an accident that caused damage to the left-hand side, but if you need a right-side wing mirror, the car will still be fit for your needs. Even if a car’s exterior is damaged, many of its parts may still be in good condition.
At U-Pull-It we offer more than just spare parts. If you’re hunting for a fixer-upper, U-Pull-It also offers Drive Away Vehicles. These are not part of the breaking services – they’re complete cars, vans and motorbikes available to buy and take away immediately.
4. How Do You Find Exactly the Right Part?
To find the right part for your car, you first need to know exactly what you are looking for. It can be helpful to know the specific part number so that you can make sure you have pulled the right part for your vehicle.
Do your research before you get to the yard so that you are clear on what parts are going to fit your car.
5. What Tools Should You Bring to a Breakers Yard?
For all breaker yards, it’s important to check the rules for the individual yard you’re visiting; however, when visiting U-Pull-It, you may bring hand tools and battery-powered tools to remove the parts you need.
We do not supply any tools, and power tools and grinding tools are not allowed at the breakers yards. We do however provide wheelbarrows for convenient transport of your parts and tools, and if you’re a member, we can provide you with a high-visibility jacket free of charge.
If you’re planning a longer visit, bring some water and a snack too – once you start finding what you need, time tends to fly by!
Of course, at U-Pull-It, if you’d rather not get your hands dirty, you can visit the Retail Zone, where we have a massive stock of pre-pulled parts in stock.
6. Can Someone Help Me Pull Parts?
If you need any help removing parts from a vehicle, we can provide assistance on an individual basis. Simply enquire with one of our breakers yards.
7. How Much Time do you Need?
Make sure you’re aware of the opening times for the yard. If you arrive too late in the day, you might not have long enough to find and remove all of the parts you need before closing time.
If you are interested in visiting our breakers yard you can find our opening times for our Edinburgh and York yards on our website.
8. Is It Safe to Visit a Breakers Yard?
Breakers yards are generally safe but always follow the safety rules and use any equipment provided, like high-vis vests. Don’t remove parts you’re unsure about.
If you are visiting U-Pull-It, it might be worth checking out our FAQ’s which gives some useful advice including safety advice and what to expect when you first visit.
Ready to give it a go? Why not visit your nearest U-Pull-It yard to find great prices on 1000s of used car parts.
