Vehicle Dismantler - Wrecker - Career Advice - Transport and Travel

A dismantler works with old and damaged automobiles to salvage parts. As a dismantler, you dismantle a motor vehicle while taking care not to damage valuable parts. Vehicle dismantlers recover parts from vehicles for resale to customers. They must have good knowledge of products and prices. FutureGrowthModerate

ANZSCO ID: 621312

Alternative names: Wrecker, Car Wrecker, the Wreckers, Dismantler, Car Dismantler, Automotive Dismantler, Auto Dismantler, Salvage Yard Parts Dismantler, Junk Yard Dismantler,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

enjoy practical and manual activities
good hand-eye coordination
good communication skills
interested in motor vehicles
able to cope with the physical demands of the job
able to work unsupervised

Additional qualifications include strong problem-solving skills and basic mechanical experience.

Crushing Car
(Source: was at Gensco)

Duties and Tasks

Vehicle dismantlers may perform the following tasks:

use hand and power tools to remove panels, bumper bars, steering wheels, seats and other reusable body parts
disassemble engines, transmission systems, electrical components, wheels, brakes and other parts which can then be placed into stock or sold
clean parts so that they are ready for resale
tag parts for inventory or shipping
move vehicle body parts using a forklift or crane
handle questions or sales by telephone or in person
carry out minor paperwork
comply with all Environmental Protection Authority and state regulators for gases and hazardous material disposal
pull requested parts as needed and assist truck drivers in loading them
operate mechanised equipment (front end loader and wrecker) safely and efficiently
park and store salvage/parts vehicles in a safe, organised and accessible manner
use appropriate safety equipment and procedures (eg. always carry a phone when working in the yard alone) as appropriate
drain all fluids from vehicles in the yard in the manner approved and recommended.
safely collect, store and dispose of fluids from vehicles
store all removed parts inside buildings or storage vehicles
maintain a clean and safe work area

A vehicle dismantler, or auto parts puller, pulls parts off vehicles and tags them for inventory or shipping. While a worker may be extremely knowledgeable about car dismantling, he must perform the dismantling procedure according to his managers' methods. The challenging work may involve cutting into vehicles with saws.

Your duties involve removing the license plates, drivetrain, and drive shaft, and other pieces, and label all of the reusable parts for inventory and shipping. This career requires experience using power tools, including saws, pneumatic wrenches, and car jacks.

Did You Know?

Auto Dismantling process

(Source: Wreckit)

Working conditions

Vehicle dismantlers may work indoors (storage and administration) or outdoors (disassembling vehicle parts).

Tools and technologies

Use hand and power tools to remove panels, bumper bars, steering wheels, seats and other reusable body parts.

Apart from saws, dismantling technicians may also use power tools such as pneumatic wrenches to remove bolts quickly, and jacks and hoists to lift cars. Automotive employers often keep expensive power tools and engine analyzers on hand.

Car - Materials Recycler
(Source: Science Direct)

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a vehicle dismantler without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. You can also become a vehicle dismantler through a traineeship in Automotive Body Repair Technology.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional Information

In NSW, vehicle dismantlers must have a Motor Vehicle Recycler's licence.

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

Vehicle dismantlers using a forklift are required by law to have an appropriate licence.

Employment Opportunities

Vehicle dismantlers are mainly employed by small motor wrecking firms.

Car being dismantled
(Source: Wreckit)