Your car is one of your most prized possessions—but eventually, there comes a time when it's just not what it used to be. Maybe it started having mechanical issues and the cost to keep it running has gone too high. You could have been in a wreck that sustained significant damage and made your car unsafe to drive. Whatever the reason, you find yourself with a car that isn't worth pouring money into—but what do you do? You can't sell it to an individual, and most car dealerships won't even look at it as a trade-in – queue in junk car buyers.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
There is good news, though, because you don't have to take a loss. You can get cash for junk cars, and if you take the right steps, walk away with money in your pocket.
Here are some tips to help get the best results from junk car buyers.
Know Your Vehicle for When You Call Junk Car Buyers
Before you start the process of selling your car for scrap, make sure you know the exact condition of the car.
Can the vehicle be driven? Is there heavy body damage from an accident or major problems with the transmission, a blown engine, or other extreme mechanical issues?
You should also consider the valuable parts of the car that could increase your quote.
A working exhaust system is often in high demand. Working doors and windows are also popular, especially electronic ones. Other electronic devices such as mirrors, lock/unlock buttons, or a GPS are also attractive features when selling a junk car.
Fenders and bumpers are another valuable part of a car that needs to be scrapped. These can be costly to replace and often, a car that can't be driven still has perfectly good body parts. Batteries are another expensive item.
Be careful to go over all the working parts of your car to be familiar with the overall worth. It may also help junk car buyers to have photos of all sides of the car, including the interior.
Do Important Research
The price range for quotes on the cash for junk cars varies widely.
All things are considered, including the overall condition, as well as if it can be driven, and any body damage.
There are many online resources available to give you an idea of what your car is worth and the amount you can reasonably expect.
It's best to understand that cash for junk cars comes mainly from the overall metal content. It's usually the highest source of value.
Therefore, the more metal, the more money it is worth. This means the larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, are worth more than compact cars.
For a quick reference, you can use this car value calculator.
The Necessary Paperwork for Junk Car Buyers
The first thing you have to do before you can sell your car for scrap is to have a valid title in your name.
This is required to transfer the ownership to the salvage yard. You must be able to prove you have the legal right to sell it.
You will probably also need to provide the registration for the vehicle at the time of the sale. You will need to prove your identity as well, so bring your license or another form of identification.
If you do not have a copy of the title or your registration, a duplicate copy can be obtained through your local DMV office.
If you still owe money on the car, the balance will need to be paid off and the title completely in your name before it can be sold for scrap.
Other pieces of information will be helpful, too. In addition to the year, make, and model of the car, you should have the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This is found on your registration card.
You should be aware of, and honest about, the condition of the car, including the mileage, running condition, tires, working lights, etc. If it doesn't run, is it able to be towed? Also, do you have a set of keys to the car?
Things to Remove From the Car
Before the deal is finalized, there are certain items that need to be removed from the car while it is still yours.
Most of us spend a great amount of time in our cars and much of our stuff ends up there. Make sure to remove all personal items, including sunglasses, umbrellas, CDs (check the CD player), clothing, toys, tools, etc.
It's also a courteous thing to get rid of all the trash. Take a few minutes to go through the car and throw away junk.
There are many places for things to end up in a car, so be thorough. Check the center console, glove compartment, trunk, under the floor mats, between the seats, and under the seats.
Be sure to take out any paperwork that can identify who you are. The registration card should be removed along with any insurance information or all types of receipts. If there is still insurance on the vehicle, make sure it's canceled by the time it's delivered or picked up.
Next, remove the license plates. These need to be handled very carefully so you're not responsible if they end up in the wrong hands or on another vehicle.
Don't Forget the Gas
Last, remove any gasoline still left in the car.
If the car is drivable, you may want to continue to drive it until the gas is almost gone so as not to waste the money or the gas.
If the car is not drivable, and there is still a fair amount of gas in the car, consider using a siphon pump to remove it. This needs to be done carefully and put into a container specifically designed for gas. Use it as soon as possible as it goes bad quickly.
The Goodbye
Our vehicles become an important part of our lives and we depend on them almost daily.
It can be sad or disappointing when the time comes we can no longer use it.
The good news is that even if it's damaged beyond repair, there's still value in it—and with a few simple steps, you can walk away from your car with a little extra money in your pocket.
It's important to find reliable junk car buyers to make sure the transaction is easy and fair. Please contact us for a quick and honest deal if you need to scrap your car.