Every car has a story. It’s scrawled in the scuffs on the door sill, the barely visible coffee ring on the centre console and the steadily growing numbers on that thing called an odometer. For some cars, that story comes to an abrupt end. A lousy bounce, a mechanical breakdown, an unlucky crash. We think differently though, the end of one story is just the start of many new ones at WA Auto Parts. And it’s a reputation we’ve been established on for over 15 years here in Perth.
Today, we walk you around and show you how one such car got from concept to reality: this bright Signal Red 2012 Kia Rio that recently came rolling into our facility. This is not a tragedy, but a transformation: of a “wreck” into an asset for drivers all over Western Australia.
Welcome to WA Auto Parts, your leading used auto parts buyer, seller & wrecker in Perth. We’re not just a store; we are auto recyclers. We find potential in every vehicle from around the world including Japanese, European, Australian and Korean cars. From cars, 4WD’s and Ute’s to commercial vans, we aim to rejuvenate great components. This little red Kia Rio is an example of how the process works. So crack the kettle on (not that we care, it’s too late now), and let’s get muddy.
The Arrival and Initial Assessment
Upon its arrival at our Maddington auto recycling yard, it was obvious to us all that the no longer a whole car. And it’d been hit in the front end pretty good. The hood was bent like a piece of paper, the radiator support crushed in and the driver’s side headlight destroyed. To the uninitiated, it appeared a write off ready for the crusher.
For our expert staff, however, this is when the hard part starts. This is a treasure hunt.
Dave, our lead technician (who may have taken more cars apart than most people have owned) was going to first evaluate the situation. This is a painstakingly, almost forensically, detailed process. He marched its outer boundaries, his eyes passing over each panel, each piece of trim, every sliver of glass.
“We lose the front, there’s no doubt,” he said, holding a clipboard. “But look here.” He indicated the passenger side. “The door is straight. No dings. The a mirror assembly is flawless, signal and all. The rear passenger door? Same story. Which is welcome news for the Rio owner who’s been sideswiped in a car park.”
He moved to the rear. The tailgate was clean, the spoiler shiny and the back glass in one piece. The tail lights were clean, and the rear bumper really only had minor scuffing that would no doubt polish out. The odometer showed just over 145,000 kilometers — certainly low by the car’s age. This told us that the parts of the universe that weren’t part of the crash probably had plenty more life to live.
This initial walk-around is critical. We can establish an initial parts list and make some sense of what the car is capable of. It’s the difference between viewing a wreck and seeing a dozen future repairs for other Kia owners all at penneys on the dollar as to what new parts cost.
The Teardown: Part 1 – Saving the Inside
At last! Upon completion of the evaluation, the laborious task begins. “Interior is always our starting point. It’s the most vulnerable part of the car, and maintaining its condition is essential.
The cabin of this Rio was a shocking good condition. Both the front and rear seats were rip free and had no major stains. They would look almost new with a professional clean. Our crew unscrewed them with care, surrounded them in protective plastic and stacked them to add to inventory. A mint set like this is treasure for anyone not wanting a run down interior.
Then the dashboard and centre console. This is intricate work. You can’t just pull and rip. Each screw, each hidden clip, every wiring harness requires precise unplugging. You want to take the entire assembly off without anything chipping or breaking. We salvaged:
- The HU: Random factory CD player/radio; works fine. Great for someone who had an original unit that went bad.
- The Steering Wheel: The airbag was in tact (an important safety check), and the steering wheel audio controls worked fine also.
- The Gauges: Everything is fully functional, clear and present and ready to be dropped in.
- Centre Console, Door Cards and Trim: Each panel was removed, thoroughly cleaned and examined. Even window switches and gear knobs are retained, because we have learned from experience these are the very parts that break to irritate car owners every day.
By the end of Stage 1, the car’s interior was reduced to a bare metal shell yet our shelves were stacked with quality, cost-effective cabin parts that are set to breathe life into another Kia Rio.
The Teardown Part 2 – Panels, Lights and Glass
With the fragile inside out of risk, we go along to the outside. And here is where the juxtaposition of the worn and unworn geographies gets even more stark.
The unsmashed doors on the passenger-side were meticulously taken out, including all their innards—regulators for windows and speakers and locking actuators. We test everything individually before we can put our stamp on it. The electric side mirror was also pulled off, the motor checked and its case polished.
The tailgate was next. Uninstallation of a modern tailgate is a two-man operation. It’s heavy, and it includes a lot of wire for the rear wiper and brake light, as well as to power the licence plate lights. We removed all that stuff carefully and then unbolted the hinges. This one assembly yields a dozen possible parts to keep as spares.
Finally, the lighting. The rear tail light assemblies were flawless—no cracks, no moisture. They were unbolted, their bulbs examined and the units are cleaned and offered for sale. These are hot items as a little tap between the eyes of the rear bumper can so often be anywhere from hundreds to over a thousand dollars for new parts and labour. Providing a tested recycled, OEM part at discount prices is the WA Auto Parts way!
The Teardown: Part 3 - Heart of the Machine
Once there, you are at the last and most technical part. The front-end impact totaled the radiator and A/C condenser. But the engine and transmission, pushed well to the rear of the initial site of impact, were a good sign.
Our mechanics ran a few tests. We inspected the engine oil for metal shavings and transmission fluid for discoloration or burning. Everything looked clean. The powerplant, a dependable 1.4L petrol engine (G4FA) was considered to be salvable either as whole implementation, or valuable parts thereof.
The engine and transmission were methodically unhooked from the driveshafts, exhausts and wiring loom and the whole lot lifted out of the engine bay in one assembly. Once in the stand we could cull those forever-necessary ”bolt-ons”:
- Alternator
- Starter Motor
- A/C Compressor
- Ignition Coils
- Throttle Body
The 4-speed automatic transmission was pulled apart and checked; unsurprisingly, it was perfect. For somebody that’s faced with an expensive transmission rebuild, a fail-safe (low kilometer) used unit like this can save them thousands.
The alloys (standard 15″ factory) were pryed off as well. They had a little bit of curb rash, as in all likelyhood there would be, but we’re straight and true. Clean them up and they’re a great upgrade for someone with steelies.
The Result: Multiple Solutions, All Out of One Car
The red Kia RIO’s journey is over. What was a single vehicle going down is now hundreds of solutions. The empty shell is to be properly depolluted and sent for metal recycling – ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
But its best parts live on. The straight passenger door will mend another family’s car. a new looking taillight will allow someone to pass their roadworthy inspection. Here’s the reliable alternator that will get a commuter back on the road.
This is the awesome power of automotive recycling. It’s good for the environment, it’s sustainable, and it delivers amazing value to our customers. It’s all about the win-win-win and it’s at the heart of everything we do here at WA Auto Parts.
Parts Now Available From This 2012 kia Rio
Do you need a part for your Kia Rio? We might have just what you are looking for, from this car and many others in the yard. The following is just a subset of components:
- Exterior: F&R Passenger Doors, Tailgate assy (rear) Rear Bumper; into back quarter panel and Front bumper cover has damage pwr. pass side motor driven mirror L & R tail light assemblies complete.
- Interior: Full Seat Set, Dash, Steering Wheel, Head Unit / CD Player, Instrument Cluster, Centre Console, Door Cards – All switches.
- mechanical coverage: transmission, alternator, starter motor, a/c compressor engine.
- Wheels and Tyres / Sets of 4x 15″ Factory Alloy Wheels.
This is just one car. Our all-in-one junkyard is home to everything you could ever need for various different makes and models of cars from Japanese, European, Australian, Korean and American manufacturers.
Don’t spend top dollar on new parts. Contact the name that Perth has come to rely on for 15 years.
For price and availability of any item call us. Phone WA Auto Parts now on (08) 9358 1392