Mat Armstrong’s Salvage Rebuilds — What Do Repairs Actually Cost?
Mat Armstrong has 5.9 million YouTube subscribers watching him rebuild salvage cars from Copart UK. But what does a salvage rebuild actually cost — and how do the pros figure out their budget before they bid?
Why Salvage Rebuild Channels Are So Popular
The appeal is obvious: buy a heavily discounted salvage car from Copart or BCA, invest in repairs, and end up with a vehicle worth 2–3x what you paid all-in. When it works, it’s brilliant. When it doesn’t — when hidden structural damage turns a £3,000 repair into a £15,000 nightmare — it’s a disaster.
The difference between the successful rebuilders and the cautionary tales? Knowing the repair costs before bidding.
What the Top Salvage YouTubers Actually Spend
Mat Armstrong
Primarily Copart UK purchases — Cat S and Cat N vehicles from Ford Focuses through to exotics like Lamborghinis. Armstrong is meticulous about documenting costs. His builds range from quick £3,000 cosmetic jobs to full structural rebuilds costing £20,000+.
WatchJRGo
IAAI and Copart US purchases. JR specialises in documenting every dollar spent, making his channel a masterclass in rebuild budgeting.
Samcrac
Copart and IAAI specialist. Samcrac is known for tackling challenging rebuilds that others shy away from — often finding vehicles with significant but fixable damage that others have underestimated.
Rich Rebuilds
Tesla and EV specialist. Rich documents the unique challenges of electric vehicle collision repair — which can be far more expensive than ICE vehicles due to battery and high-voltage system repairs.
Tavarish
Lamborghinis, McLarens and exotics bought at Copart. The potential gains are enormous, but so is the risk — hidden structural damage on a supercar can make repairs economically unviable.
The Hidden Cost Problem
Every experienced salvage rebuilder talks about hidden damage — the costs that aren’t visible in the auction photos. This is where budgets get blown. Common hidden damage categories that inflate Copart repair costs:
- ⚠Chassis rail damage — Requires specialist welding and structural alignment. Can add £1,000–£5,000 to what appeared to be a front bumper job.
- ⚠Airbag system replacement — Driver, passenger and side airbags plus control modules can cost £800–£3,000 to replace correctly.
- ⚠Suspension and subframe damage — A front-end impact often damages the subframe, control arms and steering rack. Parts + labour: £500–£3,000+.
- ⚠Radiator and cooling system damage — Frontal impact almost always affects the radiator pack. Budget £300–£800 for cooling system work.
- ⚠Electronic module damage — Modern cars have dozens of control modules. Crash damage can corrupt or destroy them — each costing £200–£2,000 to replace and code.
How to Estimate Repair Costs Like the Pros
Mat Armstrong and other serious rebuilders don’t guess. Before bidding, they:
- 1Study all available photos from the Copart or BCA listing — every angle, every damage photo
- 2Identify every damaged component — visible and likely hidden based on the impact type and severity
- 3Price out every part — new OEM, new aftermarket, and second-hand prices from breakers
- 4Add labour costs — either their own time or quoted garage rates
- 5Add a hidden damage contingency — typically 20–30% on top of the visible damage estimate
- 6Set a maximum bid based on: (Target resale price) − (Total repair budget) − (Desired profit margin)
This is exactly the process that Car Damage Advisor automates. Upload the auction photos and get a full part-by-part repair cost breakdown — visible damage AND flagged hidden damage risks — in under 2 minutes. For £1.99, it’s the cheapest tool in any salvage buyer’s arsenal.
UK Salvage Auction Cost Examples
Do What the Pros Do — Know Your Costs Before You Bid
Upload your Copart, BCA or IAAI listing photos to Car Damage Advisor. Get a full repair cost breakdown in under 2 minutes. From £1.99.
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