Shredder
A large machine at scrap facilities that tears cars into fist-size pieces so metals can be separated.
An auto shredder is an industrial machine that rips crushed or whole vehicle hulks into small fragments. Magnets and other separation systems then pull out steel, sort non-ferrous metals, and leave a mixed residue of plastics, foam, glass and fabric.
Most junk cars end up at a shredder after parts and fluids are removed. Shredder operators expect cars to be drained, with batteries, tires and hazardous parts like mercury switches removed.
The Department of Justice lists scrap-vehicle shredders among the junk and salvage businesses that must report vehicles they obtain to NMVTIS, so the VIN of a shredded car can’t be reused on a stolen vehicle.1
References
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U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, “For Auto Recyclers, Salvage Yards, and Junk Yards” (NMVTIS), https://vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov/nmvtis_auto ↩