If you’re looking to save money on Fiat parts, then a Fiat salvage yard may be the perfect solution. These junkyards offer used and damaged car parts at heavily discounted prices, so you can get the parts you need without breaking the bank. Below I’ll discuss how the Fiat salvage yards near me work and share my experiences with them at junkyards.
Map of Fiat Salvage Yards Near Me
For “Fiat Junk Yards Near Me” or “Fiat Salvage Yards Near Me”, use the map below…
How Do the Fiat Salvage Yards Near Me Work
These businesses operate similarly to your average local thrift shop. The main difference is that they deal in used car parts. Salvage yards are a key driver in the vehicle recycling industry.
These yards procure vehicles from many different places before breaking them down and selling the individual components. Their business model is to buy junked vehicles for as cheap as possible and then sell the used parts for a profit.
How Does a Fiat Junk Yard Get Vehicles
The inventory for all junkyards that sell salvage vehicles comes from a few different primary sources: the public, insurance companies, and auctions.
When a Fiat comes from the public it is generally not running and is in bad shape. Commonly, the owner tried to fix it and decided to junk it. When they come from an insurance company the cars have been totaled in an accident. They can also come from various auctions like salvage auctions, repo auctions, and police auctions.
How Fiat Junkyards Process Their Vehicles
When a car reaches the junkyard, it is not immediately placed on the lot. To maximize the value of the automobile, it is initially subjected to some minor preparation work.
They first, drain all the fluids. This includes gas, wiper fluid, anti-freeze, and other fluids that get containerized for resale. Oils get drained into metal containers and then sent to a recycling facility.
Some yards will take out the battery and recharge it, then resell it. Others will completely remove the engine and/or transmission and send it off to be rebuilt and resold with a warranty. Smaller parts that sell easily like starters and alternators might also be pulled out.
How The Fiat Junk Yard Near Me is Set Up
Most auto salvage yards organize their lots by brand and vehicle size. If there is no logical structure to the lot, you could waste an entire day searching for a specific model of car. Fiats, being that they are smaller, typically end up in a section with other small vehicles like the Mini Cooper.
In my experience, the most popular models are placed in the front of most lots. This is to make our pickers’ lives easier. For Fiat most vehicles you find at US salvages are 2007 models or later. Here is a list of some of the common types of Fiat vehicles you would find in an auto salvage yard:
- Fiat 500
- Fiat 124 Spider
- Fiat 500L
- Fiat 500X
- Fiat Panda
- Fiat Abarth 595
- Fiat Abarth 695
- Fiat Abarth Fiat 500
In my experience looking for salvage Fiat parts, you are likely to find more late-model Fiats. If you’re trying to restore a first-generation Fiat 500 from 1957 to 1975, the salvage yard is not your best option. I’m not saying impossible, but finding one is rare unless you are in a junkyard in Italy where they were manufactured.
Even the Fiat 500 America which was produced between 1958 and 1962 is hard to find since only 300 vehicles were produced.
Calling Ahead or Searching Online for Used Fiat Parts
If you’re searching for a particular used Fiat part check to see whether the Salvo has an internet database. You may search by year and model using this service. Some yards even provide databases where you can look up parts by year, make, and model.
To save yourself time you can also call ahead. You can ask questions like: “Do you have an alternator for a 2007 Fiat 500”?
Since Fiat is owned now by Stellaris, there is a potential to look for interchangeable salvage parts with manufacturers like Crysler. Doing some research upfront to identify cars with compatible components, is what pro junkyarders do.
What Kind of Used Fiat Parts Can You Find?
At a scrap yard, you can discover anything. I’ve hauled parts like doors, hoods, dashboards, steering wheels, complete exhaust systems, intakes, after-market parts, and windshields. I’ve pulled new components from current-year cars and got brand-new parts. This happens when a new vehicle is in an accident or an owner tries to fix a vehicle and junks it anyway.
Rusted Out Fiat 600 at a Junkyard
What Happens After a Fiat is Stripped Down to the Frame?
Cars that are fully stripped are sold to a scrap metal plant. This allows the yard to generate more profit from selling the remains and make room on the lot for more junk automobiles. Not all yards do this, but a well-maintained salvo will do this every four to six months.
Buying Used Fiat Parts at a Salvage Yard
When seeking quality used Fiat parts for your vehicle, consider exploring a salvage yard online. Purchasing Fiat parts online ensures convenience and access to a wide range of components, including engines, allowing you to efficiently maintain and repair your Fiat vehicle.
Pros of Buying Used Fiat Parts at a Salvage Yard
Being able to find inexpensive parts for your Fiat at a car junkyard can save you a lot of money. For example, batteries are usually sold for $12, alternators for $18, and driver-side doors for $50. I’ve even found a fully running 1.4L Turbo engine for a Fiat 500 for $200.
Although it varies from junkyard to junkyard, some may offer warranties on used parts–especially if the part is expensive like a tranny or motor. If you encounter a problem with the auto part within a specific timeframe (usually 30 days), you should be able to exchange it or receive store credit; however, cashback is typically not an option.
You will find that many of the parts are OEM, made, manufactured, and assembled by Fiat. This is far better than buying after-market parts that may or may not have the correct fitment for your vehicle.
Cons of Buying Used Fiat Parts Cheap
When you’re trying to save money by getting used parts, it’s natural to be concerned about quality. But even if the part looks good or the vehicle it came from is in great condition, you can’t be positive. For more expensive parts, my best advice is to ask if there’s a warranty available. If you can test the part in the yard, do that before you remove it.
Another potential problem is the auto salvage itself. If the place isn’t organized or logically structured, you might not be able to locate what you need. The worst part is that they may very well have them, but you won’t be able to figure out the make, model, or year of your car. To prevent this, it’s a good idea to call ahead. You can see whether or not the location has any sort of organization.
Tips For Junking Your Fiat
If you’re considering getting rid of your automobile, you have a few alternatives. You can trash it, repair it, or sell off the components.
Consider the following if you are ready to get rid of your Fiat:
- Use a siphon to remove gas from your car and reuse it.
- Remove everything from the vehicle and inspect the console, seat flaps, trunk, glove box, and other places for any objects that might have fallen out.
- If you have a navigation system on board, remove any personally identifiable data (like addresses and phone numbers).
- Cancel your auto insurance, state registration, and license plates.
- Before you negotiate, understand the worth of your Fiat.
Resources for Fiat Vehicles
Fiat Salvage Yards Near Me – Wrap-Up
The cheapest components for your Fiat can be obtained at a salvage yard. If you find one that specializes in Fiat that’s even better. If you don’t, your local automobile salvo should be enough. This is what I have learned from the Fiat salvage yards near me.
