Bontott

Bontott is a Hungarian adjective meaning dismantled, disassembled, or salvaged. It is used to describe goods that have been taken apart or severely damaged and are sold primarily for spare parts rather than as whole items. The term can apply to vehicles, furniture, electronics, and building materials. In practice, a bontott car or autó is a wreck that has been stripped of usable components and is sold in junkyards or salvage yards. Bontott alkatrész refers to salvage components recovered from such vehicles and sold to customers who repair other vehicles or machines. The expression also appears in phrases like bontott bútor (salvaged furniture) and bontott eszközök (dismantled tools).

Etymology and usage: Bontott derives from the verb bontani, meaning to dismantle or to deconstruct, with the participle suffix -ott, indicating a completed action.

Commerce and context: In Hungary, there are dedicated establishments called gépjármű-bontók or bontótelepek that dismantle damaged vehicles and resell parts. Bontott goods are distinct from használt (used) items in that some parts may be non-original, worn, or missing, and warranties are typically limited. Buyers often seek compatibility, condition, and provenance information before purchase.

Quality and considerations: Salvaged parts can offer cost savings and environmental benefits, but they require careful inspection and realistic expectations about performance and fit. For vehicles, the use of bontott parts may affect vehicle records, insurance, and compliance with local regulations.

See also: salvage, dismantling, used goods.