AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING DEFINITIONS

A

Abandoned Vehicle – Vehicle unclaimed by the registered owner of record.

ARA – (Automotive Recyclers Association)  A non-profit trade association representing industry professionals dedicated to the responsible and efficient removal and reuse of automotive parts and the environmentally responsible processing of end of life motor vehicles.

Automotive Recycling – The efficient, environmentally responsible processing of motor vehicles for reusable components and materials.

Automotive Recycling Facility – A physical location where automobiles are processed and recycled.

Automotive Recycler – A person who is engaged in the act of buying or acquiring motor vehicles for the purpose of dismantling, selling or otherwise processing components and recyclable materials.

Automotive Wrecking/Salvage/Junk yard – refer to automotive recycling facility.

C

CAR – Certified Automotive Recycler.  A designation awarded by ARA or one of its approved affiliate chapter’s program to professional recyclers who conform with industry established best practices while operating in compliance with local, state and federal regulations (including environmental and safety).

Collision Parts – Those parts commonly damaged in an automobile accident, including exterior metal or composite material parts such as, but not limited to, doors, fenders and bumpers, otherwise known as crash parts, cosmetic or the skin of the vehicle.

Core – Any automotive part or component suitable for rebuilding, reconditioning, remanufacturing, or utilization for recyclable materials.

D

Dealer, Motor Vehicle - A person or entity that purchases motor vehicles for resale.

Derelict Vehicle – Refer to end of life vehicle. 

Dismantle – To take a vehicle apart for the purpose of reclaiming recyclable parts and materials.

E

End of Life Vehicle – Any identifiable motor vehicle, with or without all component parts, and is in such condition that its highest or primary value is either in its sale for reusable components or recyclable materials.

Electronic Components – A component part of a motor vehicle that creates or receives an electrical current flow.

F

Fluid Recovery System – Equipment utilized to recover vehicle fluids.
 
G

Gold Seal Certification - Awarded to professional members of the Automotive Recyclers Association who have completed the Certified Automotive Recycler's Program. Recyclers must meet certain stated quality customer service requirements, perform quarterly customer service surveys and agree to follow a number of strict professional business practices, rules and regulations.

H

Hard Parts – Any mechanical automotive parts or components (i.e. engine, transmission, suspension, etc.).

J

Junkyard – An obsolete term referring to an automotive recycling facility.

Junk Vehicle – refer to end-of-life vehicle.

M

Major Component Part – Any component or assembly which has a VIN, or derivative marking.

Metal Recycler – see scrap metal processor and recycler

Motor Vehicle – A vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer or semi trailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used on public streets, roads or highways, but does not include a vehicle operated only on a rail line.  A motor vehicle shall not include motor vehicles which have been flattened, crushed, baled or logged for purposes of scrap metal only.

N

Non-deployed Airbag – An airbag that is part of a supplemental safety restraint system that has not been activated.

Nonrepairable Motor Vehicle - A motor vehicle that is damaged, wrecked, or burned to the extent that the only residual value of the vehicle is as a source of parts or scrap metal; or comes into any state under a title or other ownership document that indicates that the vehicle is nonrepairable, junked, or for parts or dismantling only.

O

OEM Parts – Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts that are components of newly manufactured vehicles.

Operator – A qualified person or a firm licensed by a government entity where required for the purpose of doing business.

P

Parts Car – A vehicle that is purchased and dismantled for the recovery of reusable parts and recyclable materials.

Pre-dismantling – Initial procedures taken to remove and inventory automotive components or parts in anticipation of future sales.

R

Rebuilder – A person or company who rebuilds a vehicle for the purpose of re-registration.

Rebuilt Part – Those that have been salvaged or reconditioned to good-as-new condition.  Included but not limited to alternators, starters, water pumps, clutches, brake calipers, brake shoes, master brake cylinders and fuel pumps.

Recycled/ Recyclable Parts – Parts removed from a vehicle and made available for resale/reuse.

Recycler - One who processes or otherwise handles scrap metals, paper, plastic, glass, textiles or rubber for profit, as an agent or principal, with or without physical possession of the material, with the result that a substantial amount of the scrap materials are consistently utilized further to manufacture a product that otherwise could have been produced using virgin materials.

Recycling Business - A business that is primarily engaged in: converting ferrous or nonferrous metals or other materials into raw material products having prepared grades and having an existing or potential economic value; using raw material products of that kind in the production of new products; or obtaining or storing ferrous or nonferrous metals or other materials for a purpose described by Paragraph

Remanufactured Part – A used part that has been inspected, rebuilt, or reconditioned to restore functionality and performance.

Repairable Vehicle – A salvage or damaged vehicle that can be economically and safely repaired or restored to its prior condition for reuse or retitling.

Replacement Part – A part that replaces a damaged part on a vehicle.  This part can be new, recycled, aftermarket, remanufactured or OEM.

Reused Parts – Parts removed from a vehicle and used as a replacement part for repair.

S

Salvage Motor Vehicle – Any motor vehicle which is damaged, dismantled, or in worn out condition and is unfit for safe operation as a motor vehicle.

Salvage Pool - A person or entity who engages in the business of selling motor vehicles or salvage motor vehicles at auction.

Salvage Vehicle –