I am currently reading a good book about that:
AUSTERITY BRITAIN 1945-1951 by David Kynaston
He wrote a second volume
FAMILY BRITAIN 1951-1957 by David Kynaston
I have it and will read it immediately following AUSTERITY .
True, but maybe some parts are still functional to keep another out of the landfills. arts such as trim, knobs, etc. But then I have no idea what a PAT is (other than some kind of test) and what is tested.
Over here it is called "dumpster diving".
"Dumpster" was the trade name used by the Dempsey Dumpster Co. many years ago and "dumpster" became a commonly used name to indicate any of the large stationary, truck-dumped trash receptacles; similar to making a "xerox" copy, even if you are using a Canon copier.
This was used in Baltimore, MD for a while as a tour bus:
EDIT: it is in front of the former Baltimore & Ohio RR Camden Station and now used by the MARC commuter trains.