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MotoMine: Specialists in Motorbike Dismantling and Parts

Tom Matthews, Sales Manager from MotoMine, a leading motorbike dismantling and parts supply company, discusses its beginnings in 2005 as Surrey Motorcycle Parts and its transformation into part of 4th Dimension Innovation. He shares insights into MotoMine’s significant growth, its comprehensive motorbike services, and innovative software solutions. Tom also elaborates on the type of staff they seek to maintain excellent customer service.

 

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From Surrey Motorcycle Parts to MotoMine

We started breaking bikes as Surrey Motorcycle Parts in 2005 and created the MotoMine Parts brand just last year in order to bring our parts and Cat N bike sales under one banner. We all fall under the umbrella of 4th Dimension Innovation, which is the largest motorcycle claims handler in the UK, hence the focus on bikes. Currently, we employ 450 staff across three sites and provide services including repair, claims management and logistical support, not to mention sales both through eCommerce and our Honda dealership in Farnham.

MotoMine’s Approach and Specialised Software Solutions

It may sound obvious, but the greatest difference I’ve seen from car dismantling is that when you set a bike down and walk away – it falls over! A car provides its own rolling platform, which lends itself to a reverse production line model. This is something we are looking into currently, but having a non-uniform unstable object is a real challenge for us. There are also major differences in the tooling needed for certain brands with some needing unique tools not used for anything else. We use bespoke software for our insurance claims services and a web-based inventory management system to help transfer listing data to our eCommerce sites, but recently, we have also implanted custom live tracking software to monitor jobs as they move from pre-inspection to breaking through to listing, imaging and upload. This is proving a big help in organising resources as we scale the business.

The Ideal MotoMine Staff: Passionate Bikers or Skilled Dismantlers?

I think it depends on the role we are recruiting for. In Sales or the Warehouse, a keen knowledge of bikes is definitely required, but when breaking, sometimes it helps to see a bike as just a machine to take apart—it helps to remain objective. When dealing with customers, the more we know, the better. Bikers tend to be a well-informed bunch, so being able to engage with that is key.

Process for Assessing and Providing Motorcycle Parts

As a biker, taking in a bike that’s been in a serious accident can be a shock to the system for obvious reasons. We inspect parts before listing them to ensure they are fit for purpose, and depending on the nature/extent of the incident, we can sometimes salvage only a handful of parts. Other times, it can be almost the entire bike. We will only sell a part that is fit for purpose, of course, but we also have to be mindful of the condition since so many parts on a bike are visible from the outside. Our most popular parts tend to fall into two categories: there are the bits that hit the ground most often, like mirrors, levers, footrests, etc, and then there are the more desirable parts, like aftermarket exhausts, quick shifters or trick suspension parts where customers want to upgrade their existing set up.

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Accelerating Growth

We are growing all the time, and in fact, we are currently looking into moving into a larger premises since we have outgrown our current base! In preparation for the move, we are running trials in the ATF to determine how we will be breaking bikes moving forward as more space opens up new possible techniques. At present, we have access to far more bikes than we break, so there is easy growth to be had as we gain more space and keep improving our processes.

Ultimately, as long as there are bikes, there will be a need for our parts, and we will keep supporting the biking community.

Find out more about MotoMine.

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Owain Griffiths

Owain Griffiths

Head of Circular Economy at Volvo Cars

Owain joined Volvo Cars in June 2021 to lead Circular Economy in the Global Sustainability Team. The company has committed to being a circular business by 2040 and has financial, recycled content and CO2 based targets for 2025, all of which Owain is working across the company to make happen. Owain previously worked for circular economy consultancy Oakdene Hollins where he advised businesses on evidence led circular economy implementation. 

Turning into a circular business and the importance of vehicle reuse and recycling.

The presentation will cover the work Volvo Cars is doing to achieve 2025 but mainly focus on the transformational work towards 2040 and the business and value chain changes being considered. Attention will be paid to the way vehicles are being dealt with at the end of life and the complexities of closing material and component loops. Opportunities and challenges which Volvo Cars is facing will be presented including engagement with 3rd parties and increasing pressure from stakeholders.

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e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management [e2e] is the UK’s only salvage and automotive recycling network with nationwide, environmentally compliant sites delivering performance resilience and service reliability to the insurance and fleet markets.  The network’s online salvage auction www.salvagemarket.co.uk drives strong salvage resale values and faster sales.  e2e’s salvage clients have access to the network’s stocks of over 5 million quality graded, warranty assured reclaimed parts. 

The power of the network model means e2e has the ability to influence industry standards and is committed to continually raising the bar whilst redefining the role and perceived value of the salvage operator.  Network members adhere to robust service level agreements, against which they are audited, in order to ensure performance consistency and a market leading customer experience.  

The salvage and recycling operating environment is evolving rapidly, and e2e is anticipating, listening and responding to changing market needs.  Regulatory compliance, ESG, reclaimed parts, customer experience, EVs, new vehicle technologies, data and reputation risk are just some of many considerations linked to the procurement of salvage services.  e2e will drive further added value to clients and members through the adoption and application of emerging technologies, continuing to differentiate its proposition and position salvage services as a professional partnership. 

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