It's time to junk my car, and I've been dreading it. I don't know how to get rid of a car, but the task isn't as hard as you think.
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This article provides you with 10 important things to do before junk your car. These things will help you get the most money and prevent you from getting into junk car selling scams.
If you don't want to deal with any hassle, there is a much faster and easier way to junk your car today by selling it to Cash Cars Buyer! To get started, give us a call at (773) 791-4363!
Things to do before you junk your car
When dealing with a junk car can be very challenging. However, it is important to remember that every car has some value. It may not be worth much, but there are some things you can do before you junk your car.
While junk cars might not be as valuable as operable cars, the parts are often valuable. This can be a fantastic way to make money if you have the time to take your car apart and sell the parts.
here are 10 things to do before you junk your car:
#1 – Sell any loose parts for money
I learned about selling a used car that you can make more money if it runs well. After all, the easier you make it for people to remove parts from your car, the more they will pay.
So before you junk your car, call local mechanics and see if anyone wants to buy the parts. For example, call a tire shop and ask if they will purchase your tires or install them for you.
#2 – Test the car
Now that your car is a tip-top shape take it around the block one last time and test its functions. This includes lights, radio, windows, and any other features you might have added over the years.
Once again, this extra effort will give you more money when you sell your junker!
#3 – Remove valuable items from inside the car
Before we junked my dad's old pickup truck, we removed valuable items such as his hunting rifles out of the vehicle so they wouldn't get stolen during the sale process.
This includes any tools, CDs, or even loose change. I'd also keep an eye out for any documents that might be inside the car.
#4 – Wipe the car down
After giving your car a good scrub-down and detailing inside and outside, make sure you wipe it down once more with a wet rag to remove all of the soap residues. If there is dirt present on the outside of your vehicle, this will make it much easier for people to see when they come to take a look at your junker.
#5 – Use WD40 to clean door hinges
You can prevent potential buyers from passing up your car because its doors are difficult to open by spraying some WD40 between the locking mechanism and the actual latch.
If they open up smoothly, it will be easier for people to see if there's anything of value inside your car.
#6 – Clean the trunk and backseat
Every little bit counts when you're trying to get rid of a junker. If someone opens your car and sees old trash and other debris, they might say “no, thank you” right then and there!
So give those areas a good clean before hitting up potential buyers.
#7 – Leave behind some personal items in the glove compartment or under the seats
This step is an easy way to show that your car was lived in instead of sitting abandoned on some person's driveway.
So leave behind some cheap items you currently own, such as a tobacco pouch or even a book of stamps, before you hit up potential buyers.
#8 – Keep the old license plates for reference
Although most junk cars don't have license plates anymore, if yours does – make sure to keep them with the car!
If you ever need to prove ownership in any way, show your state's DMV office a photo of your license plate number, and they will be able to tell where it was issued.
Note: If your car is from another country, many states now allow the registered owner or seller to apply for new plates through their DMV. In my case, this would be my dad since he originally purchased the car for me.
#9 – Research your options
Since most cars lose a significant amount of their value in the first few years, I'd recommend trying to sell your junker locally on Craigslist or even through a social media yard sale.
These types of vehicles can often be sold for more money locally than they can by taking it to an auction where you could potentially lose money on the vehicle.
#10 – Decide if you want to try and donate the car
Before we junked my dad's old pickup truck, we decided to give it one last shot at earning some extra cash before having it towed away with our other junkers in any city around the US.
How to get the most money for your junk car?
As said, this process can be quick and easy if you want to sell your junk car for the most money.
There are many ways to get rid of a car without any effort. And not only will it be fast, but you'll get multiple quotes from car buyers in your area that might offer you more cash than you expected in just a few minutes.
Here are some tips to help you get the most money for your junk car:
- You can let people come to you or be proactive and get quotes from multiple buyers.
- When potential buyers contact you, make sure to ask them about the process of selling your car. For example, some may buy all model types, while others specialize in certain makes and models.
- Ask how long it will take to sell your car and how many buyers will be sending you offers.
- Keep in mind that the more quotes you get, the better deal you can get for your junk car.
- When receiving multiple offers for buying your car, ask them about who owns the title and how they plan on transferring ownership over because you need to know if you are signing away anything in the process.
- Ask for their car buying license number. This information will allow you to research your potential buyer's company online to find out if they are legitimate or not before making an appointment to have your junker picked up.
Things to do after you junk your car
While it's important to be ready before you junk your car, some things are best done after your car is towed away.
Once you are certain that your car will not be returning to your property, remove or cover up personal items left inside it. If possible, remove the license plates because some junkers might strip the car down and leave them behind.
Did you know?
Several classic cars can be restored and sold at a profit.
Whether you want to restore the car yourself or have it taken in for servicing, these types of vehicles can go for hundreds – even thousands – more than they would in their completely rusted-out condition.
What does this mean?
It means if you have a classic car around your yard, you might want to consider giving it the restoration treatment.
If this isn't possible for various reasons, try selling all of its parts that can still be salvaged and research if other people are interested in restoring the car themselves or taking it to an auto show where one could buy it right away.
When you junk your car
Your first thought after getting rid of an old or junk car is that you need to make sure to remove all personal things before the tow truck arrives. However, there are still a couple of important things left to do once your car has been towed away to make sure everything goes smoothly afterward.
If possible, remove the license plates. This way, you don't have to worry about your car getting towed by a different company if one doesn't come along before the tow truck leaves the area.
As already mentioned, make sure to remove or cover up any personal items left inside it. This is important because some junkers might strip the car down and leave anything they find behind.
If you have the title to your car, you can sell it if there is no money involved in the process. This will help you avoid any issues with your former insurer or having to deal with your bank or lender for a loan that has gone unpaid.
Did you know?
Your vehicle title is a legally-binding document that proves you own your car. It contains vital information regarding the vehicle, including where it was originally purchased and registered, any liens or loans against it, and who owns it now.
If you have any questions about selling a junker, visit our website to learn more about this process.
Thing To Do Before You Junk Your Car FAQs
This section covers the most common questions related to junk a car.
The information provided here is meant to be a starting point for more detailed research on your part. We provide this basic information about the topic in the hopes that readers will go further into their research and find all of the pertinent facts related to their situation.
What is a junk car?
A junk car is a vehicle that has either been damaged beyond repair and can no longer be driven or one that is unsafe to drive. The owner must take steps to dispose of the car properly before being considered “junk.”
What does it mean for my car to be junked?
When a car has been junked, it means that the owner has chosen to discard it rather than have it repaired or continue using it.
Who pays for a junked car?
In most cases, the person who owns the car at the time of its being deemed as junk will pay for the process of having it taken away and disposed of properly. In some cases, however, those costs may be covered by an insurance agency if your vehicle was damaged beyond repair in an accident you were involved in.
Why should I junk my car?
While there are several reasons why a person might choose to junk their vehicle instead of having a salvage yard remove usable parts from it or repairing the damage itself, one reason is financial.
Junking a vehicle can result in some compensation while taking it to a salvage yard results in the owner giving up any possible compensation that might be received for having usable parts removed.
How do I junk my car?
There are typically two ways to junk your vehicle. First, if you live in an area where scrap metal yards are legal, or if you have another car that is still usable and can tow the damaged one away for junk, you will be able to leave it at the junkyard of your choice and sell them any useful parts before they take it away.
If this is not an option because you no longer have a useable vehicle available to help transport the useless one, then contact local law enforcement agencies to see if they're willing to arrange free pick up of your junked vehicle.
Is junking my car the same as scrapping it?
While there is some overlap in definitions, scrap refers to metal that has been recycled. This might result in the entire vehicle being scrapped or just certain parts, depending on what can be used and what must be discarded. On the other hand, Junking a car means that the owner is getting rid of it in its entirety.
Conclusion
When it comes time to say goodbye to your old car, don't just let it sit in the driveway and rust. Instead, follow these tips to junk your car and get some money for it! If you have any questions about the process, be sure to check out our website for more information.
If you don't want to deal with a car selling hassle, you can always get the maximum profit in no time by reaching out to Cash Cars Buyer today and giving us a call at (773) 791-4363!