If you’ve ever bought a brand-new car, the chances are that the dealership has tried to sell you GAP insurance. But what is GAP insurance, and do you need it? If you do, where should you purchase it from?
Here we’ll examine some of the different types of Gap insurance available, look at when drivers should consider buying Gap insurance, and other important information for you to consider.
The ‘GAP’ stands for ‘Guaranteed Asset Protection’. There are several different types of policy but, largely, this type of insurance is designed to complement traditional comprehensive car insurance. In the event of an accident or theft leading to the car being written off, GAP insurance covers any shortfall between a car’s purchase value and the value of an insurance pay-out.
Many insurers compensate customers to the current value of their vehicle – as opposed to its value when the vehicle was bought. This can mean drivers finding themselves out of pocket if they have bought the car on finance or want to replace it with a car of the same original value.
As we have mentioned, dealerships are where most drivers are sold GAP insurance. It often feels like one of those add-ons that dealerships use to make commission. But motorists do not have to buy from a dealership.
Dealerships also have to wait for two days after selling a vehicle before they can sell a customer GAP insurance, unless the customer waives the right to this cooling off period.
Shopping around and getting quotes from insurance companies is usually the cheaper option. A survey by What Car revealed that GAP insurance offered by four car dealerships was in every case significantly more expensive than an insurance provider. In one example the same policy cost £359 from a dealership and £141 from an insurance company.
It really depends on what your attitude to risk is. Only 26% of new car buyers buy GAP insurance, and just 1% of cars are ever written off. But brand-new cars lose up to 40% of their value in their first year, so should you be unlucky and need to replace your vehicle then GAP insurance will cover that sizable amount of money.
If you financed your car with a loan, and the loan to value ratio is high, then the shortfall you could be exposing yourself to in the event of a write-off will be significant.
GAP insurance is not compulsory, unlike car insurance. The chances of needing GAP insurance are very low. Many people may not even know that GAP insurance exists, and most drivers take the risk and don’t take out a policy.
You also shouldn’t need GAP insurance in the first year after you have bought a brand-new car, because car insurance policies will usually cover any losses incurred in the first 12 months of ownership.
Finance Gap insurance is one of the most basic product offerings available. It helps the owner of a written-off vehicle to cover any remaining loans or outstanding payments from the date of purchase.
This type of insurance is designed to bolster any insurance claim pay-outs, bringing the total amount of money reimbursed in line with the amount the customer paid for the vehicle (as written on the invoice).
Like Return to invoice Gap insurance, but in reverse, this product helps motorists to bridge the gap between car insurance pay-outs and the cost of replacing the written-off vehicle with a new one. This product is also bundled with Finance Gap insurance on a regular basis.
This product is very similar to return to invoice Gap insurance. However, rather than helping motorists get what they paid for their car, this type of insurance aims to make up the difference between the pay-out and the value of the vehicle when the insurance policy was first purchased. It is especially useful for owners of second hand or especially long-lived cars, but usually offered to cars which are fewer than seven years old.
In cases where motorists leased their car rather than buying, Lease Gap insurance covers any fees and costs associated with the remainder of the contract or any premature cancellation of lending agreements.
It very much depends on how old the second-hand car is. The older the vehicle, the slower the rate of depreciation, and if you are coming to the end of a finance deal there will be less of a shortfall to cover. You get the most value for money from Gap Insurance on cars in their first few years on the road, because that is the period with the steepest falls in value.
If you have been involved in an accident or your car has been written off, you may be on the hunt for a replacement vehicle or spare parts. Here at ASM Auto Recycling, we can help. We ensure that only the best spare parts are kept at our sites, increasing your chances of getting a good deal on insurance on any repaired or auction-bought cars, vans or bikes. Our salvage auctions offer the chance to purchase vehicles at 50% savings on dealership models.
]]>A car engine is one of the most important components of a working vehicle. Without a working engine, your vehicle is a motionless chassis. Unfortunately, there are engines that stop functioning either due to malfunction or a road accident.
So, when the time comes, how do you find a replacement engine? You might be surprised to learn that second hand engines are a viable alternative to a new engine.
Understandably, car engines aren’t completely interchangeable. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t some crossover: two slightly different car models released by the same company within a five-year period might actually be able to use the same engine.
The first question you need to ask is: is it a long or short block engine?
These two variations can actually be found on what is otherwise the same engine, so it’s important to know the difference.
A long block engine includes the full works when it comes to parts: cylinder heads, camshafts, valves, valve springs and an intact head gasket. As such, long block engines can normally be installed quickly and easily and will make a suitable replacement for any engine that’s been written off.
A short block engine, on the other hand, is designed for cases where the full engine doesn’t need replacing; just parts of it. A short block engine is usually much cheaper as a result.
Second-hand car engines can sometimes be more reliable than brand new models.
It’s the greener thing to do. By repairing your vehicle and purchasing a second-hand car engine – rather than sending it for vehicle dismantling – you are ensuring a considerable amount of junk materials do not enter the waste and recycling stream.
It’s also affordable. A brand-new engine can be extremely expensive; often costing more than an entire second-hand vehicle. A refurbished car engine has already depreciated in price and ultimately costs less.
If you know what you are looking for, it is a good idea to check that the replacement engine you are buying has all the parts you would expect:
Before you start searching for the right type of engine for your car, ensure you take note of your vehicle identification number. You can usually find this printed under the plastic trim on the drivers’ side window, or on the chassis. Other information about your car you need is the engine code and production date to ensure any refurbished engine is compatible with your car. At ASM Auto Recycling you can enter your registration number to see refurbished engines and other parts matching your vehicle.
Although second-hand engines can be more dependable than brand new engines, it is still a good idea to find an engine with the lowest possible mileage. These will have minimal wear and tear and are likely to last as long as the rest of your vehicle.
When it comes to buying any type of second-hand car part, you should always opt for one with an extended warranty. The 90-day guarantee we offer on all our refurbished car parts gives our customers certainty, at least in the short term.
Before you part with your money, ask for a full service history of the car the engine was once used in. Ask if any individual parts have been replaced and check how many miles the engine already has under its belt.
It is important to inspect the engine’s shell to make sure there is not too much wear and tear. If you’re going for the second-hand approach – which is cheaper – there will be some, but if there’s too much it can be a warning sign.
You should also check for any cracks and make sure that all of the nuts and bolts are securely fastened. Be as thorough as you can – along with the brakes, the engine represents the most important part of running a safe vehicle.
Salvaged engines have been taken from a car that’s either been in an accident or is too old to use. In some cases, salvaged engines can be in great condition: they might have only been on the road for a few years and are often very easy to evaluate.
Rebuilt engines can be tougher to get a handle on and it’s recommended to only buy one from a credible source.
With a wide range of reconditioned engines for sale from ASM Auto Recycling, we can help with your search for a replacement engine for your car. In our used car parts store you can search by your car registration, make and model and find all the parts that we have available for your vehicle. Plus, we offer a 90-day parts peace of mind guarantee for fitting used replacement engines or car parts purchased from ASM.
]]>Have you had your vehicle valued for scrappage recently? Was the price you were given higher or lower than what you were expecting?
There may have been quite a bit of difference in the price you would have received only a few months ago. That is because steel, aluminium and copper dominate the scrap metal market, and this is the stuff that cars are made of more than other metals. The scrap prices for end-of-life vehicles are likely to feel the effects of fluctuations in scrap metal prices more keenly than other products.
So yes, the scrap value of steel does have a major impact on the amount of money you might be able to get from your car as scrap. Like the price of oil, certain countries exert a major influence over scrap metal prices. They are also affected by world events. For example, the performance of the Chinese economy will have a huge influence on European steel prices. Turkey is the world’s largest importer of scrap metals, and so a reliable indicator of global steel values is the Turkish TSI index.
We are committed to providing customers with the very best possible price for your unwanted or end-of-life vehicle.
Vehicle recycling firms like ASM will pay more money for scrap metals that are considered ‘Grade 1’. High-grade metals are those with no associated alloys found within the material. In addition, the metals should have no signs of corrosion and be of a minimum size and diameter to be accepted.
‘Grade 2’ scrap metals are often made from alloy(s) alongside the primary metal you wish to scrap. Even 1% alloys in a material will see it handed a Grade 2 status. These materials must also be clear of foreign contamination to achieve the best possible prices.
Today, the vast majority of scrap car prices in the UK are given to vehicle owners per tonne. Be mindful that the value of scrap metals fluctuates daily, so scrap car values can change day to day. By keeping a keen eye on trends in the value of scrap metals you can see the right time to cash in on your unwanted vehicle. The London Metal Exchange is the most genuine indicator, but at ASM we can always tell you the daily prices over the phone too.
The scrap metal marketplace can be affected by a range of factors, from the overall demand for new metals, to the performance of the construction industry, to the location of individual scrapyards.
All fees for your scrap car are now paid via cheque or electronic bank transfer. Since 2013, it has been illegal for anyone to be paid in cash for their scrap vehicle — a move designed to prevent thieves from stealing vehicles off driveways and selling them at scrap yards for cash, amongst other metal theft.
Steel will get a fair price but is generally the least valuable of the main types of scrap metal, behind lead, aluminium, titanium, brass and copper. This is because it is very widely available. Stainless steel is more valuable, and a lot of automotive parts are made of stainless steel.
Vehicle dismantling is the most environmentally friendly way to scrap your vehicle. It’s a process where salvaged car parts are removed from the shell of the vehicle, cleaned and tested for use in other second-hand vehicles. Our used car parts store includes over 100,000 used car parts available for purchase. As part of a vehicle’s dismantling, all of its potential toxins such as fuels, oils and brake fluids are removed as part of the de-pollution process, in line with the European End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Directive.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of end-of-life vehicles are dismantled and recycled in the UK alone. If your vehicle has given up the ghost or is sitting unwanted on a driveway, get an instant quote on what we will pay. If you have no way of getting the vehicle to ASM Auto Recycling, we will arrange collection from your home at a time and date to suit you.
]]>At ASM we have always championed the value in used car parts and how motorists can save on significant maintenance costs by simply buying second hand. It’s also beneficial for the environment because you will be making the most of your salvage parts, from end-of-life to damage-repairable vehicles. You’ll be contributing to a more circular economy.
Best prices paid on any car!
All cars wanted, including MOT failures and non-runners. We offer prompt collection and immediate payment.
Have ever wondered what the most valuable car parts are? What car parts are most popular? Read on and we’ll explain what parts of your car you could cash in on with the help of a local scrap yard. However, do consider that if you remove parts from your car its total value can be worth much less.
The most valuable of car part is often the engine, understandably. A completely new engine can be the most expensive of maintenance jobs, but a dodgy engine may end up getting your vehicle written off altogether. So, if you are scrapping your car and no longer have use for the engine, it is a great part to be able to cash in on.
If your engine is still running efficiently, ask a mechanic for help before you sell it. They will remove it, drain it of any fluids and transport the engine safely to a trusted local scrapyard. Engines can still bring value even if they don’t work any longer. The aluminium they contain is a valuable scrap metal and can be sold to a local scrap metal dealer.
Two of the easiest parts to sell are car radios and satellite navigation system (GPS) systems. They are less likely to be damaged because of where they are in the vehicle. They also do not corrode or wear like a moving part or parts that are exposed to the elements. They are easy to remove too, so you won’t have to wait around long for your money.
Often the cause of vehicle thefts in the UK, catalytic converters are a big-money salvage car part. They are considered valuable because of the precious metals they contain – such as rhodium, platinum and palladium. They too are easy to remove, which is what makes them a prime target for criminals.
Catalytic converters are also a mandatory part of modern exhaust systems, filtering and lowering the toxic fumes emitted by vehicles. If you still have a functioning catalytic converter they will be in extremely high demand.
Any parts from an air conditioning unit are generally very valuable, whether they’re from a car or elsewhere. Compressors are often the most expensive part to replace, with the cost often running well into hundreds of pounds. Even filters and condensers can also cost upwards of £100 to purchase and install, so selling them to a scrapyard could make you a handsome amount of money.
There is also an enormous demand for air bags. When you consider the number of air bags recovered from accident write-offs and multiply that by the lawful requirement of two air bags per vehicle then you can appreciate the market value they have. They can, depending on the make and model, also be very costly to replace. This makes salvaged air bags far more alluring, which is reflected in the amount a scrapyard will give you for them.
Exterior parts are also very popular from damage-repairable vehicles, simply because we all have a prang once in a while. They’re also some of the easiest parts to remove from a vehicle. Some of the more common external salvage car parts that are highly sought after include the front bumper, the front bonnet and the rear bumper, all of which can take a bang and are vulnerable on a daily basis.
We have an extensive range of over 100,000 recycled high quality vehicle parts at ASM. From big heavy engines all the way to spark plugs and used car tyres. If you’re looking for a high-quality, but affordable, car part simply search by your registration, make or model. We can deliver items to you or you can collect the parts in person from our Thame depot.
]]>Wing mirrors are an important part of a vehicle. They enable you to drive safely and enjoy full awareness of all other vehicles, objects, cyclists and pedestrians around you. If you are driving with a broken wing mirror, even easy driving manoeuvres that we often take for granted can become exceptionally dangerous. Driving without two fully functional wing mirrors places both you and other road users at great risk.
But what should you do if you have a broken or damaged wing mirror? Should you try to fix it yourself, or get a replacement? Find out with our comprehensive guide to replacing a wing mirror.
It’s now incredibly easy to source a replacement for a broken or damaged mirror. There’s no reason whatsoever for driving with poor peripheral vision at the wheel. It’s also worth noting that if you enter your vehicle for its MOT with a broken or faulty wing mirror it will receive an instant fail. Replacement mirror parts are widely available both new and second hand.
At ASM Auto Recycling we offer three different types of wing mirror replacements that you can purchase:
These are available from our used car parts service, which now has over 100,000 searchable spare parts from manufacturers ranging from Alfa Romeo to Volvo.
In the event that you need a complete replacement, it is important to know what type of mirror you have. In order to get the right unit, you’ll need to be aware of which features your replacement wing mirror unit needs.
Was your original mirror a manual one that required you to move the mirror glass by hand to the ideal position? Or was it an electric mirror, which could be adjusted using a button or joystick inside the vehicle? Or was your original mirror a cable mirror that required you to adjust the mirror glass using a manual lever?
Some mirrors have heating elements in them to keep mirrors free from ice, fogging and dimming in the colder months. If you’re unsure of whether your mirror was heated, look for a heating symbol on or close to the electric mirror adjustor. Alternatively, remove the old glass mirror from the unit to discover if there are electric cables attached to the rear of the glass.
Folding mirrors automatically move inwards when a vehicle is parked and locked. Some cars will have mirrors fitted with small lights, known as puddle lamps, which light the floor around the front doors when it is unlocked. Was your mirror fitted with an inbuilt indicator?
It is very easy to damage mirror covers. They can easily snap off on the road if you get too close to another vehicle, or if your parked car is the target of mindless vandalism.
If the housing is cracked or snapped open, exposing the internals of the mirror, you can find mirror covers that are the same colour as the rest of the body of your vehicle. If the replacement is a neutral colour, you can always get it sprayed to match the rest of the vehicle.
In the event that your mirror glass is cracked but the rest of the unit’s housing is in good condition, it’s possible to carry out a simple replacement of the mirror glass.
You can search for mirror units, mirror covers and replacement glass through our used car parts service.
We would advise against replacing wing mirrors yourself, unless it is just the glass that needs replacing. It can be very fiddly and turn into a bigger job than you expected. To replace the complete mirror unit will involve removing the door panel, taking screws off and working around electrical cables.
Ensure you are aware of whether you need a replacement offside (driver side) or nearside (passenger side) mirror glass. Also check whether your wing mirror glass is convex (curved out to provide a wider perspective) or flat.
Firstly, you will need to lever the broken glass, so it unclips itself from the mirror housing. Check for any broken tabs or clips. Taking your new mirror glass, attach any wires that are needed for heating or indication, and align the glass with the clips that will hold it in place. Pressing firmly down, the glass should click into place.
Readjust the mirror position so it is in optimum position for your sightlines when driving.
It is perfectly acceptable and safe to replace your broken wing mirror with a used mirror from another vehicle. At ASM Auto Recycling all our spare parts are cleaned, tested and covered by our 90-day guarantee.
With our used car parts service, you can find all the parts our yard stocks for your make and model of vehicle. Buy them online and get them delivered or call our parts department and collect in person from our Thame depot.
Replacing a wing mirror is easy at ASM Auto Recycling. You can find mirror units, replacement mirror glass and mirror covers via our used car parts search engine, saving you up to 70% on main dealer prices.
]]>For our valued customers, this procurement means access to a vast inventory of genuine Land Rover, Range Rover, and Jaguar parts at competitive prices. Whether you’re looking for a specific engine component, body part, or interior fixture, this haul of salvage flood-damaged cars ensures that we will now have a comprehensive selection of parts available for a wide range of models. Our dedicated team of professionals meticulously inspects and salvages parts to guarantee their quality and performance.
“Given the well documented problems regarding lack of parts availability and main dealer back-order issues relating to many manufacturers – including Jaguar and Land Rover – this consignment has provided an unprecedented opportunity for a vehicle recycler to supply prestige marque green parts back into the UK body shop repair network on a significant scale. The symbiotic relationship between the vehicle recycling sector and the insurance repair network has undoubtedly gained momentum in recent years and we hope that this will further help to consolidate that growing association”.
ASM Auto Recycling is a proud member of the e2e network and is widely recognized as one of the UK’s leading vehicle recycling operations. Our state-of-the-art 20-acre facility in Thame, Oxfordshire, processes over 35,000 vehicles annually. Additionally, we have three satellite sites located in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.
Our extensive inventory includes over 3,000 collision repair panels in stock, along with more than 50,000 green parts available for next-day nationwide delivery.
To find out more about ASM’s green parts proposition, please contact either Chris Morgan (chris at asm-autos dot co dot uk) or Chris Whytock (chris dot w at asm-autos dot co dot uk).
Equally, if you’re interested in purchasing any Jaguar and Land Rover car parts, check out our dedicated Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover pages for more information.
]]>It’s a fact of life that cars break down or need repairs. As much as manufacturers try to design and make highly reliable cars, the wear and tear from consistent use means auto parts are susceptible to faults. Worse still, accidents on the road are often unavoidable. Sometimes you and your vehicle may be involved in a prang where another driver is at fault.
At some point you will have to shop for a new car part. Whatever that part may be, there’s a fair chance you might feel a bit intimidated. After all, this is your car: something you rely on every day.
To help, here’s how to find parts for your car.
Depending on the value of your vehicle, if it develops faults or is involved in an accident, it might not be cost-effective to purchase brand-new replacement car parts to keep your vehicle roadworthy. That’s where second-hand car parts come in: an economical choice that’s kinder to the environment too.
You can buy pretty much every car part second-hand. At the online parts store of ASM Auto Recycling we sell everything from gear sticks to whole engines. If you’re at all unsure whether we’ve got the part you need, you can get in touch, but it’s fairly safe to assume you will be able to get a replacement.
As with most things there are pluses and minuses to both.
With new auto parts, you’ll pay more, but you’re likely to get a bit of additional security. For some drivers, that’s worth the extra cost.
Second-hand auto parts – as with second-hand vehicles – are usually cheaper. What’s more, you can also usually track down the part specific to your car, even if it’s an older model.
There are a number of things you’ll need to look at when identifying the right part for the make and model of your car. It’s trickier than it sounds. Even a single range of vehicles from a manufacturer will have a number of versions that have been produced over time, with parts differing through the years and as technologies develop.
Vehicle identification number (VIN) – finding your VIN number is your first port of call. This is a number that specifically relates to your car, and can be used to locate the right part. Your VIN number can be found in the chassis of your vehicle, usually in the engine bay or beneath the plastic trim around the driver or passenger door opening. The VIN is also listed in car manufacturer’s data tables and with the DVLA.
Make, model and year – knowing these basic manufacturing details about your car will help when you are searching for parts online.
Part codes – on some occasions, the faulty part itself will have a code, though you might need to dig through the dirt and grease to see it. This can also be referred to as the part number for your car.
Visual ID – experienced buyers might be able to identify the part they need simply by looking at the faulty part. If you’re not sure though, check with your local garage or dealer.
Part comparison – it can be possible to take the part you’ll be replacing and to simply compare it to the parts available online or at your local parts store. You’ll need to be detailed in checking, though: it can help to consult those who actually work at your local dealer, as they might be able to help.
The second hand parts store at ASM Auto Recycling includes a wide, ever-changing range of parts. However, we know that we’re not going to have every single part our customers need, every single time. So, here are a few other options to consider:
Swap meets
The used car enthusiast market is always popular and as a result you can actually attend meetings where fans will swap parts with each other. Get online and see if you’ve got one that’s local.
Dealers
Going down this route will often be more expensive, but they will nearly always be able to source a part if you’re happy to pay extra.
Forums
Really stumped? Head online and check out one or two of the car enthusiast forums. Forums often have a ‘buy or sell’ section, and you might find what you’re looking for.
eBay
Although it can be risky buying through eBay, you may just find what you’re looking for. It’s obviously important to ensure you research the seller’s feedback and reputation.
Depending how DIY savvy you are, it is perfectly possible to replace car parts yourself. However, it’s best to be cautious. If you get something wrong, the consequences can be serious, if not fatal.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you get something badly wrong, you’ll definitely end up with much bigger bills than the replacement car part would have cost you.
Unless salvaged from an almost new vehicle and from a reputable seller, there are some car parts that you should be wary of buying second-hand. These are parts which will decline in efficiency and performance quicker the older they get. It’s therefore advisable to purchase the following parts brand-new:
Exhaust systems
As exhausts get older, the chances of them developing fissures, cracks and even holes are significantly greater. Second-hand exhaust systems will not last long!
Wiper blades
Used wiper blades from end-of-life vehicles are never a good choice. They’re already crammed with grime and dirt and it’s difficult to ever get them truly clean again.
Oil filters
In any vehicle, oil filters have limited shelf-lives. Oil is a necessity for your engine but, if you use a second-hand filter, the chance of your oil becoming dirty and damaging other components is much higher.
Brake plates
Brake plates will always wear out over time. So, if you purchase second-hand brake plates you will have to accept these will have a very limited lifespan. That’s because the friction applied by the callipers to the brake plates is so great.
Purchasing second-hand used car parts can absolutely save you money on your motoring in the long run and is the greener solution.
In our used car parts store you can search by your car registration, make and model and find all the parts that we have available for your vehicle. All of our recycled car parts are cleaned, tested and covered by our 90-day guarantee.
]]>There comes a time in the life of any vehicle when it’s no longer safe or practical to use. What’s more, if you continue to drive an older car that’s not roadworthy, you could incur a hefty fine and some unnecessary points on your driving licence.
For thousands of drivers who have owned just a single vehicle for many years, they may have no idea how or when to get rid of a car. Nearly 1.5 million vehicles are scrapped in the UK each year, so it’s by no means a niche industry anymore.
So, if your vehicle is reaching the end of its life, fortunately there are many ways you can dispose of it responsibly. More importantly, there are numerous car scrapping pitfalls to avoid. Make sure you are aware of the things you should and shouldn’t do when disposing of an old car.
It is illegal to take cash payment for scrap cars in England or Wales. Steer clear of anyone wishing to pay in cash. Payment has to be via cheque or electronic bank transfer.
In order to legally dispose of your car, a scrap dealer has to be registered as an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). ASM Auto Recycling is an ATF, which means we are licensed to dispose of old vehicles in a safe and sustainable way and abide by the Environment Agency’s ELV (End of Life Vehicles) guidelines.
Don’t forget to chase up your chosen ATF to receive the Certificate of Destruction (CoD). It should be delivered to you within seven working days after you have taken your car to be scrapped. If you don’t have a CoD then you are still legally responsible for the vehicle and any costs or fines associated with it.
You have to inform the DVLA that you’ve taken your vehicle to an ATF – providing you’re scrapping the car without keeping any of its parts. Failure to do so could result in a £1000 fine. Some ATFs, like ASM, do the paperwork for you. You should also apply to the DVLA if you wish to take the registration number from the end-of-life vehicle for use on another.
Yes. You should make the DVLA aware that the vehicle is off the road if you’re choosing to take parts from an end-of-life vehicle before scrapping it. The car must be kept off-road in a garage, on a drive or on private land.
Vehicle owners in England and Wales are required to demonstrate their photo ID and proof of address to any ATF, so ensure you’re sharing your personal information with a reputable firm.
Make sure you reclaim any months remaining on your car tax using a V14 form. You should also get in contact with your car insurer and ask for a refund or the opportunity to credit an insurance policy for an alternative vehicle.
At ASM Auto Recycling, we’ll buy any vehicle in any condition. This means that even if it’s no longer roadworthy or has failed its MOT, we’ll pay you a fair price. Get an instant scrap valuation for your car, complete with a price guarantee. Providing your vehicle is correctly described, we’ll pay what we say to help you get rid of your old car.
]]>Here’s our DIY guide to how to change your serpentine belt.
A serpentine or drive belt is important in a car because it transfers power from the engine’s crankshaft to numerous key components of the vehicle, such as the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump and water pump. But the belt will wear with age and can develop cracks, so it might need to be replaced during the lifetime of the vehicle.
Older or classic cars will have multiple belts and should be replaced by a professionally trained mechanic.
Most belts last between 50,000-100,000 miles. If you hear a squealing or squeaking sound coming from your engine, then chances are it is your serpentine belt slipping and sliding. This means it is wearing out and you should get it replaced as soon as possible.
It’s important to ensure that the tensioner itself is where it needs to be before you think about swapping the belt around: a good tensioner belt needs to exhibit a slight vibration of around 1/32 inches or less of movement, and the belt should be able to move smoothly, with no jerks or visible vibration. If this isn’t the case, then the tensioner is bad, and will need to be replaced first. This is not a DIY task – take it to a mechanic!
Typically, serpentine belt cracking is most likely in older belts. If you’ve got cracks in more than three adjacent ribs of the belt that are bigger than an inch or so – or there are four or more cracks per inch on one of the ribs – then the belt will need replacing. It will also need replacing if you notice any of the following:
In the case of more recent belts, cracking is less common and you’re better off looking for wear. Wear is harder to locate than cracking, but there are actually smartphone apps that can detect wear, or you can use a conventional belt wear gauge.
Each belt will snake round the engine in a different way, so make sure you know where to put the serpentine belt replacement. Check your car’s manual for a schematic diagram of the belt or search online. It may also be worth taking some photos of the engine from different angles.
First you will need to release the tensioner which keeps the belt taut as the car is moving. Use the serpentine hand belt tool to rotate the tensioner in order to remove tension from the belt. You might need a ratchet or breaker bar to do this, or a socket on the pulley. The belt should be fairly easy to remove but take care not to disturb any of the pulleys. Slowly release the tensioner once the belt is off.
This is a good opportunity to check for any signs of misalignment on the old belt. These won’t be fixed by replacing the belt. If there is any disintegration along the edges and separated ribs, then you could have misalignment issues. Remove any dirt and grime from the pulleys and look for oil leaks. Check the tensioner pulleys are spinning correctly – they shouldn’t make a noise when they spin. If there is any excessive movement on the pulleys, from side to side or in and out, they will fail and so will your drive belt, meaning instant loss of power to the vehicle.
Using the belt tensioner tool, you can then route the new belt around the belt path. The belt will usually need to go first around the crankshaft pulley, and then the grooved ones. Finish the job by sliding the belt into a rounded, non-grooved, smooth roller. Make sure the belt is completely on and centred on each pulley and tighten the pulley with the tensioner tool. Slowly release the tensioner and start the engine. Keep the engine idling for a minute or so to make sure the new serpentine belt is working as it should.
You will just need a new belt, a belt tensioner tool and a socket wrench to replace your serpentine belt.
If you have the right tools and do some basic prep it should take about 15 minutes to put a new serpentine belt on. If you want to know more about doing more car maintenance yourself, we have a range of handy guides.
Here at ASM Auto Recycling, we can help with your search for replacement parts for your car. In our used car parts store you can search by your car registration, make and model and find all the parts that we have available for your vehicle. These include oil filters, fuel system parts, engine and transmission parts. You can also use our parts enquiry form. Plus, we offer a 90-day parts peace of mind guarantee for fitting used replacement engines or car parts purchased from ASM.
]]>Ultimately, the car tax you pay will differ depending on how environmentally friendly the car is. That’s because the amount of tax you pay on your vehicle is based on the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) it emits into the atmosphere.
For cars first registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017, the rates are variable, divided into bands from ‘A’ to ‘M’. Each band signifies the number of emissions allowed by the vehicle. ‘A’ is the band for vehicles with the least CO2 emissions, all of which are currently completely exempt from car tax. However, this is set to change soon. Most standard petrol or diesel cars fall within band E, which are charged at £180 annually.
Cars which were registered before 1st March 2001 are taxed based on the size of their engine. Generally, those with engines smaller than 1549cc pay £200 per year while larger models and light goods vehicles with engine sizes over 1549cc require a yearly payment of £325.
But now a rolling 40-year car tax exemption for classic vehicles is in place. If your vehicle was built 40 or more years ago, it should fall under this exemption. April is the key month. So, for example, a car first registered in 1984 would be exempt from VED in April 2024.
Here is a summary of the car tax exemptions and most important things to remember.
*RDE stands for Real Driving Emissions. This is the test that can be used by vehicle manufacturers to test the emissions a car produces under real driving conditions. RDE was introduced in 2017 and was made mandatory for all new cars from 2019.
It’s easy to check whether the car you’re driving has had its vehicle excise duty paid. If you’re unsure about a rental car, or simply want to check your own tax status, you can enter the make of car and registration details at gov.uk.
Motorists are expected to pay vehicle tax in advance through the DVLA. You can pay by debit or credit card, or via direct debit. You can pay by direct debit annually, six-monthly or monthly, but the annual charge will be less.
Car tax rules are changing on 1 April 2025.
Zero emission vehicles will no longer be exempt from car tax. Electric vehicles will pay a first-year rate, and a standard annual rate, which are currently £10 and £180 respectively. This is because EVs are starting to become more common on our roads, and the government cannot afford to have so many cars at a discounted tax rate. Zero emission vehicles with list prices of over £40,000 will also have to pay the supplementary £390 rate in addition to the standard VED rate.
Leftover tax on used cars used to transfer to the new owner on purchase. However, this is no longer the case. When buying a car, the new owner takes responsibility for its taxation immediately. You can tax your vehicle online or at a Post Office. Sellers now receive a full refund for any of the months remaining on their car tax.
Beware of timing, sellers; you will only be refunded car tax for full calendar months. Making a transaction one week into a given month will entail taxing the vehicle for the whole of that month, regardless.
The car tax status of any vehicle can now be checked online using the make and registration details. Where enforcement agents could previously perform a simple inspection of paper vehicle tax discs, checks are now performed digitally. The police, the DVLA and other agencies utilise automatic number plate recognition cameras (or ANPR cameras) linked with a nationwide electronic vehicle register.
If you’re wondering how to tax a used car, does that mean you already in the market for your next car? ASM Auto Recycling has an extensive range of repairable vehicles, with regular online salvage auctions. Read our guide to buying used cars at online auctions. As an Authorised Approved Treatment Facility, we can also take unwanted used cars to be scrapped, recycled, and resold where possible. Get a quote from us today.
]]>