Automobile engine blocks (among other car parts) can be sourced online. Photo: supplied
Need to find a used car part but your mind draws a blank when it comes to actually looking for one?
The founders of tech start-up WrecKonnect hope to change that with their online marketplace for car repairers and mechanics.
Founder Chris Mallon comes from a family who ran wrecking yards, trained as a mechanic then moved into business roles with dismantling .
Mallon says his platform will help wreckers more easily sell their parts to workshops and open up the market nationally.
“Most workshops spend countless hours ringing around different wreckers to locate a car part, often without success,” he says.
“This drives the repairer to source new car parts which can be expensive and lessens repair options for car owners in what is an incredibly tough economy for Australians.
“Wreckers face a similar challenge, often receiving phone calls all day for parts they don’t have in their inventory,” Mallon says.
WrecKonnect founder Chris Mallon.
WrecKonnect, whose head office is based in Victoria, is designed to make it easy for auto repairers to find parts that are, on average half the price of new parts, saving on costs and time.
“Many car owners are unaware they have access to quality used car parts when taking their cars to workshops for repairs,” Mallon says.
“WrecKonnect aims to change this with an aggressive marketing campaign launch aimed at helping Aussies understand they can easily access parts from wreckers across the country who dismantle cars and prepare quality parts for sale.”
The company says its marketplace is loaded with inventory from some of the biggest automotive wreckers across the country.
It uses React web technology to locate inventory that has been uploaded to Amazon Cloud.
Mallon says the platform design is all about simplicity.
“Mechanics searching for used car parts scan the QR code, upload their parts request with numberplate information and submit. Its that’s easy,” he says.
“Wreckers and dismantling groups receive notifications on a dedicated user-friendly platform, check if they have that part in stock, respond with a quote back to the mechanic which can include images, part condition, warranty and delivery time.
“The transaction then takes place on the platform, the item is shipped by the dismantler and the repair goes ahead,” Mallon explains.
The WrecKonnect platform is now up and running with the biggest auto dismantling groups already on board, a spokeswoman says.
PARTS FACTS
- Recycled parts cost, on average, less than 50 per cent of new parts.
- There are 68 manufacturers and over 350 models available in Australia.
- 90 per cent of used car parts are still sourced over the phone.
- Currently dismantlers supply a requested part on average 30 percent of the time.
To find out more, visit their website at wreckonnect.com.au
