Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about our removals & second-hand parts service

What does Palmy Auto Wreckers & Car Removals do?

We’re car removal and recycling specialists. We’ll collect, strip, and dispose of any unwanted car or vehicle free of charge – and we even pay you for your vehicle. We also sell a huge range of second-hand parts.

Find out more about our services.

What area do you cover?

We’re based in Palmerston North, but if you’re anywhere in the Lower North Island, we can help you out.

Get in touch if you’re not sure.

When will you tow my car?

Call us, and we’ll sort out a time for collection – we work 24/7 so this could be after-hours, during your lunch break, or early in the morning. Whatever works for you.

Call now to book a time.

What type of vehicle do you remove?

We’ll take almost any vehicle, of any age in any condition. This includes cars, vans, utes, 4WDs, trucks and even buses.

Find out more.

Does the vehicle need to be in good condition?

Not at all. We tow vehicles in any condition – rusty, water-damaged, crashed, unregistered, unwarranted, undriveable. Of course, we also take cars and other vehicles in good running order, if you want to get rid of them.

Find out more.

How do I get my car towed?

It’s super simple. If you have a car or other vehicle that needs to go, call us on 0800 111 130, or fill in our online form for an instant estimate. We’ll give you an estimated price straight away, sort out a time for towing, and go from there.

Get more info about how the removal works.

How much will it cost to have my car towed?

Want the good news? Nothing! We’ll tow your car free of charge, and even pay you for it. Depending on the vehicle, you could get a payment of up to $5999.

Find out more.

Do you sell spare parts?

Yes – we have a huge range of affordable second-hand parts for all types of vehicle. We strip anything useable from the vehicles we collect and recondition them for sale – including wheels and tyres, panels and doors, engines, gearboxes, cambelts, and other parts. Everything we sell is in great second-hand condition, so you know it’s functional and reliable.

Want to know if we have a specific part available? Give us a ring on 0800 111 130 or fill in a request form.

What happens to my vehicle after it’s towed?

After we tow your vehicle, it’s taken back to our yard. From there, we dismantle it, strip out the useable parts and remove all the oils and fluids. If a vehicle is still running, we do our best to get it back in working order and on the road.

We’re committed to minimising our impact on the environment, which means recycling and reselling as much as we can, disposing of hazardous substances in appropriate facilities so they can’t leach into the soil or water, and putting little to nothing into landfill.

Find out more about our environmentally friendly approach.

How much will I get for my unwanted vehicle?

It all depends on the type of vehicle and its condition. Our removals staff know their stuff, so you’ll get a fair price.

As a general rule, we pay between $150 – $500 for cars, and $500 – $5999 for 4WDs, utes, trucks and other vehicles.

Get in touch for a personalised price estimate.

Are price estimates accurate?

When you get in touch, we’ll give you an estimated price for your vehicle based on the details you give us. We’ll come to you, the team will do a quick inspection and offer you a set price – it may be higher or lower, depending on the condition of the vehicle. If you’re happy, we’ll pay you on the spot and take the vehicle away. Sorted.

How will I get paid?

The type of payment depends on your preference – cash, cheque, or bank transfer. Whatever you choose, we’ll pay on the day of removal.

Do I need to be there when my car is removed?

It depends. If you have sent through ownership and transfer documents before the pickup time, we can tow without you being there and pay you by cheque or bank transfer.

If we don’t have the paperwork we need, you do need to be there to sort out ownership. In those cases, we can pay you in cash if you prefer.

Can I bring my car to your yard?

Sure. If you prefer to bring your vehicle to us, get in touch. We can give you an estimated price, sort out a time for you to come in, and we’ll pay you for your vehicle when you get here.

Do I need to have the keys to the vehicle?

It’s easier for everyone if you have the keys. But, if you’ve lost them we can still help – you just need to give us proof that you own the vehicle or let us check ownership records before we tow.

What paperwork do I need?

We need to know that you own the vehicle before we can tow it. When we come to collect yours, you need to have current photo ID on hand, so we can check your name matches ownership records. This can be your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, 18+ card, or another form of legal identification.

If you can’t be there when we pick up your vehicle, you’ll need to email us a copy of your ID or ownership details before the scheduled towing time.

Do I need to sign anything?

You’ll need to fill in a Buy and Sell agreement stating that you have sold your vehicle to Palmy Auto Wreckers & Car Removals– this covers us legally. We’ll also give you a receipt showing the transfer and payment.

What happens with ownership and registration?

Sorting out ownership and rego is pretty simple. If you’re not sure what to do, our removals guys will help you out and give you any forms you need.

Usually, we will remove the vehicle’s license plates when we tow it, and hand them over to you. Take them into your closest VTNZ, VINZ, or AA and they will cancel your registration. It’s usually free, but if your registration has expired, you might have to pay for the difference. If you still have time left on your registration, you can claim it back from the NZTA and they’ll send you a cheque.

If we’re buying a working vehicle with plates, you’ll need to fill out a vehicle disposal form (MR13A) and list Palmy Auto Wreckers & Car Removals as the new owner.

Find out more about cancelling your rego here.