If you are a Melburnian, you know we value our green spaces, our bays, and a sensible approach to waste management. So when that trusty old car – which has seen you through countless trips to the Mornington Peninsula or the bustling CBD – finally bites the dust, the question is not just how to get rid of it, but how to do it responsibly.
You don’t want your old bomb to rust away in a field or pollute our local environment. You want to ensure that it is recycled correctly, minimising waste and maximising resource recovery.
This is where professional Car Recycling in Melbourne comes in. It’s a dedicated, ethical process that turns your unwanted metal into new products, diverts hazardous waste from landfills, and, best of all, puts instant cash back into your pocket.
At Cars Wanted Melbourne, we believe in total transparency. We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to show you the critical environmental benefits, the important legal steps in Victoria, and the simple, stress-free process of recycling your old car the right way.
The decision to recycle your car is a huge win for the planet and here in Melbourne we play an important role in Australia’s sustainability efforts. Every year, millions of vehicles globally reach the end of their life. In Australia, we generate approximately 1.36 million tonnes of waste from end-of-life vehicles each year.
A modern car consists of more than 60% steel and iron, and recycling these materials is very energy efficient.
Less mining: Recycling metals significantly reduces the need to extract new ores, reducing habitat destruction, water pollution and deforestation. Recycling one tonne of steel saves 1.8 tonnes of iron ore.
Massive energy savings: Producing recycled steel uses 74% less energy than producing steel from scratch. Recycling aluminium, another key component, saves up to 95% of the energy required to produce it from raw materials.
Greenhouse gas reduction: Recycling of steel also reduces $\text{CO}_2$ emissions by 58% compared to production from raw materials.
This is perhaps the most important environmental step in the recycling process. End-of-life vehicles contain highly toxic and non-degradable materials.
Toxic fluids: Without occupational contamination, automotive fluids—such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and fuel—can leach into soil and water supplies, causing significant damage to ecosystems. Professional demolition services ensure that these hazardous materials are safely drained, recovered and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
Tyres and plastics: Tires can take 50 to 80 years to break down and release toxins. Commercial recycling ensures that these are processed into new roads or fuel instead of being thrown into landfills.
Batteries: Whether it’s a lead-acid battery or an electric vehicle’s lithium-ion pack, batteries contain hazardous chemicals that must be treated by specialised facilities.
By choosing professional Car recycling in Melbourne, you are actively ensuring that hazardous components in your old vehicle do not become an environmental liability.
Before your vehicle can be recycled, there are two important legal steps you must complete in Victoria to protect yourself from future fines or liabilities:
If your car is no longer usable, you must deregister it with VicRoads.
Remove number plate: First, remove the physical number plate from the vehicle. If you have customised signs and wish to keep them, you can have them transferred or safely stored by contacting VicRoads.
Cancel online: The easiest way to cancel your registration is through your myVicRoads account.
Refunds: If you cancel your registration, you will receive a refund for the unused portion of your Rego.
Once the registration has been cancelled, you can legally dispose of the vehicle.
Licensed Buyer: It is important to sell your vehicle to a licensed car wrecker or a reputable vehicle disposal company. In Victoria, companies dealing in salvaged, damaged or incomplete vehicles for the sale of scrap metal or parts are usually required to be registered as a used dealer, although they do not need a car dealer’s licence.
Transfer of responsibility: Using a professional service simplifies the legal disposal process and ensures that your details are removed from vehicle records, making the disposal legal and hassle-free.
When you choose an expert like Cars Wanted Melbourne, you’re participating in a streamlined, ethical process designed for maximum convenience and cash payouts.
The process starts by contacting us with the basic details of your vehicle: make, model, year and condition (eg not running, accident damaged or rusted).
Appraisal: We estimate value based on the weight of the scrap metal, current market value for recycled parts (engine, transmission, panels, etc.) and overall scrap metal prices.
No obligation: You receive an instant, free, no-obligation cash offer.
Once you accept the quote, we’ll arrange a pick-up time that’s convenient for you, and often offer same-day removals throughout Melbourne.
Free Towing: We offer free car removal services, saving you the expense and hassle of towing a roadworthy or not roadworthy vehicle.
Documentation: Have proof of your ownership (registration papers or title) and valid ID ready. We handle all necessary settlement papers, which makes the process smooth.
Our professional tow truck operator will come to your location in Melbourne. They check the condition of the vehicle and complete the paperwork.
Fast payment: Payment takes place immediately before the vehicle is loaded. We offer cash or secure bank transfer – no waiting, no hidden fees.
Your vehicle is transported from the Melbourne driveway to our licensed car scrapping facility, where the actual recycling begins. This is the difference between simple disposal and responsible recycling.
Pollution: All hazardous fluids (oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid) and components (batteries, airbags) are safely removed and disposed of or recycled according to strict EPA Victoria guidelines.
Dismantling: Usable parts (such as engines, gearboxes, headlights and body panels) are carefully salvaged, tested and cataloged for resale, thus promoting reuse.
Shredding: Once contaminated and the reusable components removed, the remaining car shell is crushed and cut into small pieces.
Material separation: Advanced technologies such as magnetic separation and air classification sort materials into ferrous metals (steel/iron), non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper) and non-metallic materials (plastic, glass) for reprocessing.
By using a service like Cars Wanted Melbourne, you ensure that up to 70% or more of your vehicle’s materials are recovered and recycled, contributing positively to Victoria’s resource recovery efforts.
Don’t let your old vehicle become an environmental hazard or a financial burden. Choosing professional Car Recycling in Melbourne is the smart, sustainable, and profitable choice. You benefit from instant cash and free removal, while the environment benefits from reduced mining, less energy use, and responsible hazardous waste management.
For guaranteed top cash, professional service, and a commitment to eco-friendly disposal that adheres to all Victorian standards, trust Cars Wanted Melbourne.
Ready to turn your old car into cash and contribute to a greener Melbourne? Contact us and call at 0415 836 537 today for your instant, obligation-free quote!
Q1: Is the towing service really free for Car Recycling in Melbourne?
A: Yes, reputable services like Cars Wanted Melbourne offer 100% free towing for all vehicles across the Melbourne metropolitan area and surrounding regions. The amount quoted to you is the final cash amount you receive, with no hidden fees for removal.
Q2: What happens to the hazardous fluids in my car during recycling?
A: The first step in professional car recycling is depollution. All hazardous materials, including engine oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, and battery acid, are safely drained, recovered, and disposed of or recycled in compliance with strict EPA Victoria guidelines, preventing them from contaminating soil and water.
Q3: What percentage of my old car is actually recycled?
A: The auto recycling industry in Australia currently recovers about 70% to 75% of materials from end-of-life vehicles. Professional facilities aim for the highest recovery rate, recycling ferrous and non-ferrous metals, which make up the bulk of the vehicle’s weight.
Q4: Do I need to cancel my VicRoads registration before the car is picked up?
A: Yes. In Victoria, you should remove the number plates and cancel the vehicle’s registration via your myVicRoads account before the disposal company collects it. Cancelling the registration allows you to claim a refund for the unused portion of your registration.
Q5: Can I remove parts from my car before selling it for recycling?
A: While you can remove small, easily detachable accessories, a complete vehicle often fetches a better price from a professional buyer. Buyers prefer fully assembled cars as they are easier to handle and contain all components for maximum salvage value. Always discuss this with Cars Wanted Melbourne before removing major parts like the battery or catalytic converter.
Q6: What kind of documentation do I need for a legal car recycling transaction in Victoria?
A: You need to provide proof of ownership (e.g., registration papers or the vehicle’s title) and a valid photo ID (like your driver’s license). The Car Recycling in Melbourne service will provide the necessary paperwork to officially document the disposal, protecting you from future liability.
