Learn me the junk yard business.

Cars are becoming too difficult for the average backyard mechanic to fix.

Good salvage cars often end up going to other countries and the foreign buyers drive the prices up so high the domestic yard owners can't turn a profit on a wreck.

Copart and IAA fees are not insignificant.

EPA would like to see all JY's gone.

I don't think there is any way you can start a new yard profitably. Grandfathered salvage yards that already have damaged soil that someone is looking to sell out of are probably the best way in. Most of these types of yards, however, cash out the inventory for scrap and then retire. LKQ Corp does their damndest to buy all the rest.

Seeing Curmudgeon in the old posts made me smile. Sure do miss that dude.

In reply to BoostedBrandon :

Me too.

Good friend owned a junkyard for many years.  He couldn't wait to get rid of it.  Owns a foreign car service shop now and is much happier and makes more money.

In reply to thunderzy :

There are so many things you need to consider if you plan to start a junkyard, there are permits, land, location and so much more that need to know.

For example, you need to have land in a location where the city allows junk yards to operate, that's why you always see scrap yards, wrecking yards, auto part stores and other used auto parts in the same section of the city, because they only allow them to be in that part of the city. 

You also need to provide proof of insurance, liability, and that you will make sure you process all the vehicles the right way, disposing of fluids the right way and having a process to get rid of them. We have worked in South Florida for over 30 years, having our junkyard been through lots of hoops to get things working the right way. at our junk yard even buying vehicles can be a huge liability, you need to make sure you cover your butt, some very shady towing companies try to sell cars that don't belong to them, and the police can show up at  your business at any time to get paperwork for any vehicle in the yard. Also some people will try to sell a vehicle that don't belong to them, for example if someone who lived there left a car in the backyard that now is just rusting away, they need to call a towing company to take it  away, they can't just sell it you.

Anyways, goo luck on the new endeavors and call thecity hall to get more info

There is also money getting polluting junkers off the road , at least in California.

We sold a worn out 1962 Dodge truck to pick a part for $1200 , it had to be registered , drive forward and reverse , they were getting  smog credits.....

It also matters what scrap metal prices are in your area .

It's a hard business dealings with the city, state , epa etc

This thread was resurrected by a zombie canoe

In reply to Grtechguy :

Good eye. I took out his link but left his words. No benefit to him.