Salvage Wire

Salvage Wire
Helping Automotive recyclers become leaders in their industry

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Rental Car Frustration

Working away this week and getting really frustrated with car rental companies again. Picked up a car at the airport terminal, it had more damage on it than some of the vehicles we de-fleet after three years, and a dangerous brake judder, so it was returned, they replaced the car, stated that it had 'nil' damage - wrong! Wheels damaged, bumpers scratched, doors scratched and more.
What is it with rental companies, I know that the cars are used by lots of different drivers, and they can get abused, but is it about time that they complete full appraisals of damage so that innocent drivers are not accused of causing damage to the vehicles that was there before they collected the car.
Rant over, feel better now!

Monday 24 May 2010

ELV Questions for the new UK Government

The questions below were sent to the UK political parties fighting the recent General Election. I am sad to report that none of them responded in any way. We are now re-framing the questions and will be sending them to the new Government, and the answers we receive will be posted here.

Over the last few years the EU End of Life (ELV) Regulations has come into full use.

The Environment Agency (for England and Wales) and SEPA (for Scotland) enforce ELV standards on all licensed businesses involved in the dismantling of motor vehicles of any type.
However, DVLA, who administer the Certificate of Destruction process (another part of ELV regulations) only apply to the limit of the regulations – cars and light vans.

As we approach the general election, to assist the Motor Salvage Industry make their decisions on who to vote for, please can you ask the following questions.

• How many vehicles were de-registered from Jan 1 2009 to Dec 31 2009?
• How many Certificates of Destruction were issued in that same period?
• If, as suspected, there is a discrepancy between the two, what happened to the vehicles where a Certificate of Destruction was not issued, where they treated at Authorised Treatment Facilities as the law requires?

• When is the DVLA going to extend Certificate of Destruction to cover all vehicles, closing the current loophole that means people can take a vehicle out of use and dismantle it without having to have the vehicle treated by authorised treatment facilities?

• What action is your party going to take to ensure that un-licensed operators are either taken out of business or forced to comply with those businesses that have invested in their facilities, staff and equipment to achieve, or maintain the standards required as ELV licensed operations?


These questions have been sent to the following:
Gordon Brown: Prime Minister
Hilary Benn: Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
David Cameron: Conservative Party Leader
Nick Herbert: Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Nick Clegg: Liberal Democrat Party Leader
Tim Farron: Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Alex Salmond: SNP Leader

Friday 21 May 2010

Technical Competence for UK ELV Sites

Metal recycling and ELV sites in the UK now have to meet Technical standards under statutory legislation.
Managers must be qualified as Technically Competent Management (TCM), and this applies to all ELV and Waste Management sites
For low risk Metal Recycling Facilities, 4 appropriate NVQ’s or an Environmental Permit Operators Certificate (EPOC).
For medium risk ELV sites, 6 appropriate NVQ units or completion of a Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) course at an approved training centre followed by a work related project.

Following successful qualification continuing professional competence is necessary to keep registration as TCM valid. All current TCM’s must pass a new competency test before the end of Feb 2011 – note, this includes anyone deemed to be competent under ‘grandfather rights’ – and all TCM’s will be reassessed bi-annually.
You can find more details through the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management at www.ciwm.co.uk/pm/17, or through your local training centres/colleges.

Friday 14 May 2010

More on New South Wales

Discussions with a number of people have highlighted that the NSW Government do not want to enact expensive legislation to control motor salvage, so have started on this ill conceived attempt to stop insurance write off's being re-registered. The Association of British insurers Code of Practice for Motor Salvage is not legislation either, it is a voluntary code of practice that the UK insurance industry, the UK salvage industry, fleet and hire car companies, and the police have all signed up to. the important factor, is that it works - it controls salvage, vehicle documentation, prevents fraud, and ensures that vehicle history is available for consumers to see.
Surely now is the time for the Australian insurers, salvage federations and national government to take a step back and take a fresh look at this issue, review what other countries are doing, take the best of all the codes and regulations, and put their own code of practice into place, a code that can be supported by all involved in the motor salvage industry, a code that will increase the professional standing of the industry, improve consumer protection, prevent fraud, reduce theft and ultimately save money for insurers and consumers.
Don't forget, if insurers are not receiving a lower level of revenue from their motor salvage than 12 months ago then insurance premiums will rise, hitting the consumer even harder in difficult financial times.