Has your beloved car seen better days? Are you spending most of your paycheck just keeping it going? The average American adult will spend about $750 per year on maintenance for their cars, but older cars may need even more care.
If you’re noticing that the repair bills keep piling up, you may want to invest in a new car. We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of old car vs new car and help you decide.
We’ll also give you some tips on junking your old car.
What’s Your Mileage?
If you’re wondering, “Should I buy a new car or keep my old one,” take a look at your odometer. If your car has more than 150,000 miles on it, you might want to junk it and get a new one.
Many cars fall apart after they hit the 100,000 mile mark, and the cost of repairs is outrageous. If you need to get a new engine, you’re looking at around $2,000 right there. A new transmission will be at least $1,800.
If you add up all of the repairs, you will have the deposit for a new or used car. Is it worth it to keep putting money into your car? Or should you go ahead and invest in a new one?
Are you driving a car that’s unsafe? No matter what the mileage, you should never drive a car that’s not inspected. If you’ve got rust underneath your vehicle, that could lead to a snapped brake line.
Overall, if you think your car is a junker, you’re probably right.
The 50-50 Rule
A good rule of thumb when you’re driving an old car is the 50-50 rule. If your repairs total more than 50% of the value of the car itself, it’s time to find a new vehicle. You don’t want to “throw good money after bad,” meaning you have to cut bait at some point and invest in a newer vehicle.
If the car is a classic, of course, it’s worth investing in. But we’re talking about your average car that just keeps breaking down. If it’s a sentimental car for you, maybe you can keep it on your property instead of junking it.
But if it’s just an average car, you’re probably tired of all the repairs. With the money you’d save on repairs, you can find a good used car and replace the tires right away. You could winterize it, wax it, and be good to go.
A newer car would also have more safety features and could be much better on gas. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a newer car, you might be surprised at how much the technology has progressed.
You can find cars now that have parking assistance technology, quick-deploy air bags, and proximity sensors. Many have rear cameras and allow you to take telephone calls through the dashboard of the vehicle.
Finding a Good Used Car
If you’re looking for a good used car, you should probably skip the internet. There is a wide range of scams out there, and you don’t want to get caught up in anything underhanded.
Buying from a certified dealer is a good first step because you know that their cars are in good repair. Do some research online and don’t fall in love with the first car that they show you.
Before you pick a car dealer, however, look them up on the Better Business Bureau’s website. Do they have a history of complaints? What’s their grade? Don’t go to any dealer with a grade below an “A.”
Ask friends and family who they’ve bought used cars from, and who they’ve used to junk their old ones. You should get a few promising leads and you can start looking around.
Even if you’re in a hurry to buy a car, watch out for sellers who want a deposit to reserve the car. They could disappear, taking your money with them.
In general, try to avoid private sellers unless they come highly recommended by a friend or family member.
Should I Lease or Buy?
You may be so tired of driving an old car that you would like to get a brand new one. In that case, leasing can be a great option. You’ll have a monthly fee, but every three years you’ll be given a brand new car.
You’ll never have to deal with repairs because you’ll be driving a new car. If anything were to go wrong, the dealership would repair it immediately – or give you a new car.
If you own a car, it’s going to depreciate every year. You’ll own it at a certain point, so you won’t have a monthly payment. But you will be on the hook for all the repairs.
It’s up to you: some people just prefer to own their cars outright. Leasing a car can be useful, however, if you want to try out a new make or model. Ask the leasing office if you can start with a lower-priced car and trade up after six months.
The Old Car vs New Car Debate
The old car vs new car debate will never end. Some people just prefer to drive a car they’re comfortable with and would never think of getting a new one.
If you’re thinking of buying a new or used car, make sure you know what kind of car you would like. You can test drive different vehicles, but once you start driving them regularly it’s a whole different experience.
See if you can take the car for an extended test drive. Many dealerships will let you borrow a car for a week or two, just so you can see if you like it.
We recommend regular oil changes and air filter changes to extend the life of your car. We also offer cash for a wide range of used vehicles, even if they’re totaled. Take a minute and give us a call, or enter your zip code to get started!
We’re looking forward to buying your junk, high-end, or totaled cars!
If your car breaks down and you are faced with a high repair bill, you may be tempted to scrap your car. It gets tiring pouring your hard earned dollars into an aging machine.
Sure, a new car would be nice, but is it the right time? Are you better off fixing up your old daily driver, or are you really ready for a change?
Everyone’s answer to these questions will be different, but if you keep reading you’ll find out what you need to consider when deciding if you want to scrap your car.
The Cost of Wear and Tear
Even if you take every precaution to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, high-priced repairs will eventually become unavoidable. With extensive use, parts just wear down over time.
Rubber belts and hoses will begin to crack as they dry out and the metal on your rotors will warp or wear thin. Electrical parts also stop working after a period of time.
One expensive part to fix is the timing belt, which needs to be replaced on most cars when they reach 100,000 miles. If you go to the dealership for your timing belt, they’ll probably also suggest you replace the water pump and the remainder of the drive belts in your vehicle.
For a timing belt package like that, you can expect to pay between $600-1,000. Often times when this repair comes along, it signals to an owner that it’s time to decide what to do with the vehicle long term. Are you going to hand it down to your kids or scrap your car?
Reasons to Fix It
There are many reasons why buying a new car might not be right for you. It is a very expensive commitment. Sometimes fixing your car makes a lot of sense. After all, it is always going to be cheaper to repair your vehicle than get a new one.
You may be looking at the sticker price on a new transmission and think that it would make a nice down payment on a new car. But, you still need to consider the monthly payments, insurance, taxes, and registration fees.
You may also consider fixing your vehicle if you had a timeline in mind for purchasing a new car, but the old one broke down earlier than expected.
By repairing it now, you will be able to stay on the road and avoid the hasty purchase of a new car. It will also allow you more time to save up for the car you really want.
Reasons to Buy a New Vehicle
You have probably already put a lot of money into keeping your car on the road. But as the cost of repairs adds up over time, eventually something has to be the straw that breaks the camels back.
If you’ve been back and forth to the repair shop, and it seems like your vehicle needs constant attention, then it may be time to evaluate the real cost of your used vehicle on you — time and stress.
With a new car, you will have a safe and reliable way to get to work. You won’t have to worry about a random break down for a very long time. Today’s cars also feature enhanced safety features like electronic stability control, blind-spot monitoring, backup cameras, and more.
Things to Consider Before you Scrap Your Car
When you’re at a crossroads and deciding whether or not you want to scrap your car, you may find yourself wishing for a crystal ball. Seeing the future would be nice for knowing whether or not to put more money into your aging vehicle.
But since that’s not possible, you should consider the following things.
Maintenance Costs vs Monthly Payments
The first step you should take when considering if you want to scrap your car is to calculate your car’s current cost of upkeep. How much did you spend last year to keep it running?
You should include ordinary maintenance in your calculations like oil changes and tune-ups as well as the cost of the prospective repairs. When you are considering the cost of potential repairs, you should definitely take the time to get an estimate. It can be difficult to guess the actual price of a fix.
Once you have calculated the cost of your vehicle’s upkeep over the past year, you should divide that number by twelve. This will give you a more accurate idea of what your monthly car payment currently is. Then, once you have that figure, you can decide what is possible within your budget.
Cost of Insurance
If you think you might want to scrap your car, you should consider what the insurance will be on a new one. There is a good chance it will be higher. Many used cars do not require collision insurance if they have been paid off.
Incentives Being Offered
If you are considering a new vehicle, you should look at what kind of incentives are being offered by the dealerships around you. Sometimes rebates are being offered for people to trade in their existing vehicle.
Replacement Options
If you are considering a used vehicle as a replacement option after you scrap your car, you should make sure you evaluate it thoroughly. You don’t want to go from one car with issues, to needing repairs on the replacement vehicle.
Current Car Value
One of the most important pieces of information for you to have about your car is its Kelley Blue Book value. This number tells you what your car is worth right now.
You can plug in the year and make of the vehicle as well as its mileage and wear condition for a relatively accurate figure. But you should note, if your car needs any repair work done, then that number would drop significantly.
Your Car’s History
Another thing you need to consider when parting with your vehicle is what its current condition is. Have you been performing regular maintenance on it? Has it been in an accident? Does it have flood damage?
All of these things will lower the potential trade-in value for your vehicle, making it more likely that you will want to scrap your car.
Past Repairs
Everyone has a tipping point with repairs where they say enough is enough. But you still need to consider how much time and money you have already put into repairing your vehicle.
If you’ve had anything major replaced, you have made a significant investment in keeping your vehicle on the road. But more could be just around the corner.
One of the best ways to estimate the cost of future repairs is by visiting online forums for your vehicle’s make and model. Other owners are happy to share their experiences with their car’s issues in online forums. They can give you an idea of what you are in store for.
Big Ticket Items
The two most costly repairs on your vehicle are the engine and the transmission. If you have already paid to have either replaced, then you should really consider keeping your car.
However, if you have not replaced them, you should consider them ticking time bombs. Most transmissions and engines last for about 15 years or 200,000 miles. If your car is getting up there in age and hasn’t had these parts replaced, it might be a good idea to scrap your car.
The Timeline of the Repair
When you visit an online forum to do your research on your car’s potential problems, you should pay attention to the frequency at which people needed repairs. If it seems like its going to be one thing after another, it’s probably time to cut your losses.
The Car’s Body Condition
If your vehicle has begun to rust, it may be time to scrap your car. Sure, rust on the body of your car doesn’t affect the way it drives, but it does indicate that there may be rust elsewhere.
Rust can hide in less obvious places like the fuel and brake lines of your car. They may be slowly eroding as you read this article.
Safety Features
Beyond the physical aspects of your car, is it safe to drive? Do you have working airbags? Are your seatbelts still working properly? Is there enough tread on your tires? How are your brake pads?
Just because you can drive your car, doesn’t mean you should. You need to consider the safety of your vehicle for yourself, as well as any passengers you might have.
Your Finances
If you had unlimited funds, you probably wouldn’t think twice before you scrap your car. But let’s just assume that you could afford to go out and buy a new vehicle off the lot. Is now a good time for you to take on a new monthly payment?
Ideally, you would buy a new car when you’re good and ready. It’s important to have enough time to get your finances in order to be ready to make payments.
Your Needs
Beyond the condition of the car, you need to consider if it is meeting your needs. Perhaps it is too big and uses a lot of gas. Or maybe it’s too small and doesn’t have a backseat for your kids.
If you are just looking for a daily driver to get you to and from work, you may be able to get away with driving a junker. But, if you have to drive considerable distances regularly, you could have a breakdown in the wrong area leading to a disaster.
You should also consider your feelings about the vehicle and the way it impacts your life. Are you lying awake at night wondering if your car is going to start so you can get to work in the morning?
You shouldn’t have to stress about that every day. If you scrap your car, it could give you your peace of mind back.
How to Get Rid of Your Used Vehicle
When you have made the decision to part with your vehicle, it can be difficult to figure out how to get rid of it. Can you sell it? Should you scrap your car? Or maybe donate it?
Sell Your Car
Some people are in need of a vehicle so badly, that they will make just about anything work. Before you decide to scrap your car, you should see if there is anyone you can sell it to.
You may think the hassle of finding a buyer isn’t worth it, but your car could be just what someone needs to get to and from work so they can feed their family.
Scrap Your Car
The final resting place for many vehicles is a scrapyard. At some point, it will be time to scrap your car for cash and you will have to find a company you can trust to handle its recycling.
Give Your Car Away
Many people give their aging vehicles to their children as a first car. It can be a great way for them to learn some responsibility without taking on the financial risk of operating a new car.
There are also organizations that collect vehicles for charity. They sometimes break down the cars for parts, other times they have other volunteers who work on the vehicles to get them in drivable condition.
Your donation could make a major difference in someone’s life. It could give them the opportunity to find a job, and in some cases, a place to sleep. Donating your car is also tax deductible, so that will be nice when you file your taxes at the end of the year.
Final Thoughts
Deciding when to scrap your car is a personal decision that you should give a lot of thought. Start by doing your research to find out what repairs you can expect from your vehicle in its old age.
Then take all your research and calculate the monthly cost of upkeep and compare it to the true cost of a new vehicle. Next, decide which monthly payment you can truly afford.
If you decide to scrap your car, we are happy to help, contact us today at Cash Auto Salvage.
Want to sell your vehicle at the best possible price?
Selling a vehicle is in many ways like selling a house. You want to do everything you can to maximize its resale value, including extensive cleaning and major repairs.
A lot of people assume that there isn’t much they can do to boost their car resale value. Whether they’re thinking about trading their vehicle in or selling it to a dealer, they think that a car of a certain condition will have a fixed price.
This couldn’t be farther from the truth! You have plenty of power over your car’s resale value as long as you put in some time and effort.
Read on to get more insight into obtaining the best car resale value for your vehicle, no matter its condition.
1. Tackle the Interior
Many car owners believe that what the inside of a vehicle looks like isn’t too important when it comes to determining its resale value.
However, one of the first things that dealerships and buyers pay attention to is the vehicle’s interior. After all, this is where future car owners will be spending most of their time.
It’s essential to make your car’s interior as spotless, comfortable, and shiny as possible. This will help you make the most of your car resale value.
You may balk at the idea of cleaning or even replacing a lot of your car’s interior. But you’ll be surprised at what a little bit of effort can do in the process of selling your vehicle.
When tackling the interior of your vehicle, think big and small. Let’s start by diving into the big ticket items first.
The Basics
Start with a solid and thorough vacuum of the entire vehicle interior. This is absolutely critical if you are a pet owner and have a lot of dog or cat hair to get rid of.
Use an industrial or shop vacuum if possible, rather than a standard house vacuum. These are more powerful and can suck up those stubborn hairs and dust particles. Make sure you also use the hose or extension part of the vacuum to get all of those nooks and crannies.
When vacuuming, take out what you can. You may even want to remove the seats to really give your vehicle a thorough cleaning.
Next, tackle the windows.
Use Windex or some other glass cleaner to get rid of any fingerprints, dust, or oil on the insides of all windows. You’ll also want to clean the outsides of these windows, but we’ll get to that.
Inspect your vehicle’s interior for any stains, whether in the carpet or in the vinyl. You can get rid of stains with a small amount of dish soap mixed with a little hot water. Try using a vinegar and water mixture.
Clean the interior plastic of your vehicle with auto wipes so that every surface is dust-free. You may also want to take a warm rag and wipe down seats depending on the material.
The Details
Lastly, make the inside of your car smell amazing. Use an air freshener, particularly if it is a high-quality one that smells professional.
A DIY car air freshener could also involve some orange peels sprinkled throughout the car for a day or two. Essential oil mists and car-specific sprays are a good choice too.
Lastly, freshen up car mats by taking them out and washing them in your driveway (if they’re made of plastic). Vacuum non-plastic car mats.
If your mats are in a state of disrepair, go to your local auto store and purchase some replacements.
Refrain from smoking in your vehicle for at least two weeks before selling it. You may also want to look into professionally cleaning your vehicle’s interior to get rid of tobacco odor.
2. Take Care of Minor Repairs
To boost your car resale value, make sure it has all of its minor repairs taken care of ahead of time.
What constitute minor repairs? Anything that doesn’t involve massive mechanical repairs or changes. You can handle these issues yourself, or make a quick trip to the mechanic.
Minor repairs can involve taking your vehicle to a mechanic to turn that “Check Engine” light off. Maybe your left blinker has been a little bit iffy in performance in the last few months. You may want to fix the sun cover that’s been flopping around lately.
Remember to check for windshield wipers, squeaking belts, sticky gas pedals, and window issues. Also, inspect the air filters and replace them if it’s time to do so.
Taking care of minor repairs means that you don’t have to break the bank to improve your car resale value. Dealerships in particular will want to purchase vehicles that don’t require a lot of work before they’re ready for resale.
Lastly, inspect your car for any dents, dings, or scratches. While these issues may take a little more time and money to take care of, improving them can significantly increase your car resale value.
Chat with your mechanic about scratch repair. In many cases, some scratches can be buffed out in a few seconds, or painted over for a small fee.
3. Make the Outside Gleam
Your vehicle’s exterior is definitely important when it comes to determining a car’s resale value. You want to make a good visual impression on your potential buyer, so make sure the outside of your car is spick and span.
Take your vehicle in for a thorough wash before visiting a dealership, auto salvage yard, or potential buyer’s home. You may want to have it professionally cleaned so that no soap spots appear.
It’s also important to wax the outside of your car. Waxing a car’s exterior can make it look very much as it did when it came out of the manufacturer. You can do this job yourself with minimum effort.
If you’re not up for it, hire a professional to hand wax your car. Prices for this service will vary based on location, type of vehicle, and more.
Before you clean up the outside of your car, inspect the bumpers and fenders for any damage. You’ll want to take care of any minor repairs here in order to target that car resale value.
4. Don’t Forget about the Tires
It will be difficult to sell your vehicle for a good price if its tires are shoddy. Spend some time analyzing your car’s tire health and making sure it has a solid set of wheels for resale.
If your car’s current tires are close to balding, or already there, it’s probably worth it on your end to replace them. Sure, this is a big investment, but it can do a lot for your car resale value.
In case the tires are fairly fresh and safe, fill them with the right pressure before bringing the car into a dealership or auto salvage yard. If you aren’t sure about what pressure to use, inspect your vehicle’s manual.
If it’s been a while since your tires have been rotated, make an appointment at a local tire center to get this taken care of.
You’ll also want to ensure the tires look snazzy. You guessed it – they deserve a polish too! Clean the tire rubber and the hubcaps. You can do either with a baking soda or vinegar and water solution.
You can also purchase tire cleaner anywhere in town to make sure your tires look good.
5. Check the Lights
In order to maximize your car resale value, make sure its lights are functioning and clean.
Start by testing out the interior lights. If any of these isn’t working anymore, replace the bulbs. You can find replacement bulbs easily online or at your local auto store. Plus, they’re easy to install!
Check to see that all brake and headlights are working. Test your blinker lights to make sure they function well.
Replace any of these lights immediately if they aren’t functioning perfectly.
You’ll also want to clean your lights. Use Windex and a paper towel to clean them thoroughly.
If your headlights are foggy or blurry, you’ll need to spend a little more time making sure they shine clearly. Luckily, you can invest in a defogging kit for less than $20 and take care of this job yourself.
These small things can dramatically boost your car resale value.
6. Check the Battery and Belt Health
Inspect all belts and hoses for bulges, tears, or other visible damage. If anything looks in immediate need of attention, it’s worth a trip to your mechanic or dealership for repairs.
You can boost your car resale value by making sure it has a high performing battery. Check the battery for corrosion, and remove any with a simple solution of baking soda and water.
If it’s time to replace your battery, do so before you bring the car in for assessment and resale. Batteries aren’t too expensive to replace, especially if you purchase them from a warehouse like Costco or Sam’s Club.
In case you aren’t sure how to check your car’s battery or belt health, your mechanic can assist you. Book an appointment so that he can look over everything and advise you in what repairs to make.
7. Monitor Fluids
To maximize your car resale value, bring it in with all of its fluids in tip top shape. Make sure that it has the windshield cleaner filled to the top.
Check your brake fluid and coolant levels as well, and replace or refill as necessary. If you aren’t sure what fluids your car requires, look into the car’s manual.
Next, check your vehicle’s oil before you prepare it for resale. If it’s been a while since you’ve replaced the oil and filter, now is definitely the time to do it.
As a pro-tip, put synthetic oil into your vehicle so that the next owner can enjoy a longer stretch of time before having to change the oil again.
8. Keep Records in Order
Getting your car ready for resale is a lot like getting ready for a job interview. You want to put your best foot forward, and not just your vehicle’s performance and health.
It’s also essential to keep all of your records on hand. This way, the dealership or individual purchasing your vehicle will know exactly what repair work you’ve done. It also helps increase the car resale value.
You may want to type up your own personal notes on oil change dates, battery replacements, and more. You can also obtain a car report that details significant vehicle repairs from your DMV.
This is important if you are selling your vehicle privately. Many dealerships will be able to pull up your car report there. Regardless, it’s better to be prepared.
Make sure you have all documents for your vehicle’s registration, title, and insurance history in order before taking your car in.
Maximize Your Car Resale Value
It’s definitely possible to ensure you’re getting the best offer for your vehicle, whether you’re trading it in, selling to a dealership, or striking a deal with a friend.
Make sure you spend some time cleaning up both the interior and exterior of your vehicle, prioritizing small details. Take care of any minor repairs, and ensure that your car’s tires are in excellent condition.
You may also want to take your car into your local mechanic to check its battery and transmission performance. He can also advise you on other repairs you may need to make before selling so that you get the highest car resale value.
At Cash Auto Salvage, we offer clients a fast and easy way to sell their vehicles for cash, no matter what condition they’re in. What’s more, we buy all cars, and we want yours!
A car’s value depreciates rapidly and it’s almost twice as faster now than in 2014.
Too much supply plays a huge factor. This means that the older your car, the harder it will be to sell it at a price you want.
Getting a good amount of cash for cars you’re ready to get rid of might be harder now. But it will still be worthwhile in the end if you’re smart in making deals.
So how can you be more effective at selling your car? How can you make the most profit?
Pay attention to these 10 tips I’m about to tell you, and you’ll sell your car in no time.
1. Prepare Yourself
You’re going to go through this, but are you ready?
Selling anything means being able to answer questions. In the case of a car, you should also prepare to meet up with strangers asking to inspect it. Be ready to clear your schedule or drop appointments if need be when such request comes up.
If you know that you can’t commit, why not ask a trusted family member or a friend to do it for you? They can make negotiations on your behalf or you can ask for a set price. Make sure they know your car – even the tiny details like dents or the new parts.
But if you’re willing to do anything to get cash for cars prepares a sales pitch. Have the answers to these questions:
What’s the fuel economy like?
How did it perform for you?
What are the safety features?
Are there any recalls in the past associated with this model?
Know that selling a car will last a few weeks, especially when you’re making repairs. Unless you have a Kia Sportage, named fastest selling car of 2017, don’t get frustrated at the wait.
2. Get Everything Ready
You got your sales pitch, your availability is not a problem… now what? Make your car look handsome, of course.
You can still get an ample amount of cash for cars that may not look its prime by cleaning. For the most profits, take the effort to wax it and wash the floor mats.
It’s also a good time to take the car to a mechanic and ask for a full report. It may alert you to unknown issues and let you know all the repairs you need to do.
If something’s broken, you can choose to fix it so you can set a higher price. You can, however, choose not to. Show the report to the potential buyers so they know what they’re getting into.
While your car is being groomed, you can start preparing the documents.
Each state has different requirements when selling a car, but it tends to involve:
Title
Bill of sale
Release of liability
Warranty
Check out your state’s requirements before you put your car up for sale here. Aside from these, you can also include the car’s maintenance records.
3. Research
Did you know that a car’s value drops 11% the moment you drive it for the first time? If you aim to get quick cash for cars you own, you have to do your research as soon as possible.
After a year, the value decreases by 19% percent on average. When you get to five years, the car will have lost over half of its original value.
So how much is your car worth? This is where research comes in.
Check out the other cars for sale in your area with the same model as yours. How much are they selling? Are there any improvements done? What’s the extent of damages? What’s the mileage?
Figure out the average and from there, you can estimate how much your car is worth. It’s also worth it to check online resources to get a good idea of the price you can set.
4. Make Improvements If Possible
Your car value isn’t what you’re hoping it to be? Don’t worry, there are ways to increase it if you are willing to make the time.
Cleaning your car is a must, but a full-on detailing job can increase the value by several hundred dollars. You can do it yourself, but pay attention to the tires, compartments, windows, and mats. If the floor mats are old and ugly, consider getting new ones.
The tires are also a good area to improve. Replacing them with an inexpensive set can boost the value. Shine the rims and your car will look brand new.
You might also have to shell out money if you want to have the car repaired. Dents and scratches can lower the value, as do some minor issues.
Don’t spend a large amount of cash for cars needing major repairs. Rather, work on those small issues, and the payoff will be big. You can even work on them yourself if you’re a handyman. If not, it’s better to let a professional handle it lest you aggravate the problems.
5. Price Accordingly
Be smart on the pricing – don’t set it too high nor too low. A high price will turn away potential customers and a low price might be suspicious. Many people live by the rule, “If it’s too good to be true, it likely isn’t.”
You can be firm with the price, which you should mention on the ad, or you can have a little wiggle room. Prepare for the negotiations because people will ask for the last price anyway. Not a lot of people are willing to pay a lot of that are already used.
On that note, decide on the least amount you’re willing to sell the car for and stick with it. Don’t entertain lowballers and don’t hesitate to reject an offer if it falls below the amount.
You know your car and you’ve done your research, so you know best how much it’s worth. Giving in to the first offer you get will only make you regret later.
A nice trick you can do is set the asking price a little higher than what you expect to get. This way, you’re more likely to get more offers for negotiations. You’ll also be more receptive, which can make the conversation going.
6. Take Good Pictures
This is the fun part. If you’re selling online, this step is a must. But make sure to take quality pictures to generate interest in your ad.
Take your car out of the garage and take it somewhere bright and park it where you can use a beautiful backdrop. You can take photos with your camera phone, but if you’ve got a better camera, use it.
Take a photo of the front, the sides, and the rear. Position the car’s full image into the center of the photo for better results. Get a close-up of the best features or the issues like dents and scratches.
Photograph the interior as well: the seats, the dashboard, and the floor mats. Include photos of the trunk, the engine, and the wheels.
Take your time in capturing the perfect pictures. Play with angles and don’t let the sun’s glare ruin your photos. Your car needs to look good, but not too perfect that you’ll want to hide the flaws.
Remember to take the pictures after you’ve cleaned and repaired the car! This way, you’ll still make cash for cars past its prime.
7. Write a Compelling Ad
A good advertisement is simple in design, but it provides all the details that a buyer needs to know. As a rule of thumb, include this information:
Exact year and model of the car
Good photos
Bought brand new or second hand?
Mileage
Is it running or is it junk?
History of repairs
Repairs that need doing
New parts, if any
VIN number
Asking price
As for the asking price, make sure to state whether it’s negotiable or not. Be familiar with this lingo and what they tell the buyers:
Firm/Non-negotiable
This means you’re not likely to give in to pressure. You’re willing to take the time to wait for someone who’ll buy the car for the indicated price.
Push for a Better Offer
Get ready to entertain offers below the stated price. You can put this if you’re in a hurry to get cash for cars.
Needs to Go
This means you’re more likely to sell it to the first offer you get. Why not consider tip #9 if you can take any amount of cash for cars ASAP?
8. Get the Word Out
Once you’re done preparing and taking photos, it’s now time to let the world know you want to get cash for cars.
The internet is a good place to start. Check out forums and advertisement websites. Post your compelling ad on where you did your research if you did it in a diligent manner.
You can also take your social media account to advertise your car. Write a simple status about your intent to sell a car – pictures and description included – and have your friends share it. There are also groups on Facebook where you can advertise for free.
You can also put the ad on the car itself. Stick a “For Sale” sign on your car with your contact information if you plan to still use it to drive around. You may be able to catch the eye of a potential buyer that might not see it on the internet.
On the last note, let everyone you know that you’re letting go of your car. A co-worker may get interested, or they may be able to refer you to someone who is willing to hand over cash for used cars.
9. Approach a Buyer Paying Cash for Cars
If you want an easy way to get cash for cars, you can talk to a local dealer instead. Note that you’ll still need to do the first five tips if you want to make a nice profit. But, there are pros and cons to this.
The number one benefit is that you’ll sell the car right away – no ad posting, no communicating with different buyers, and no hassle of dealing with scammers. Dealerships also handle the paperwork for DMV, which makes the transaction faster.
But you may have to settle for less than your car’s value. You can make up to 15% more by selling it yourself, according to KBB. It’s up to you, though, to decide if that 15% is worth the hassle and time of organizing the sale yourself.
Another way to get cash for cars is by selling it to an auto salvage company. You can trade in old or totaled cars and still make money.
This has the same benefit as the dealership in a way that you won’t have to go through the selling process. You can get your money in an instant and they often have better offers than dealerships!
10. Negotiate and Complete the Sale
Talking to a potential buyer? Great! You’re now in the final stage of selling.
Everyone who contacts you or whom you contact will negotiate for a lower price. If you follow tip #2, the outcome will be more favorable because you might get what you want or close to it. Don’t forget the least amount you’re willing to go for, and the negotiation will be a little easier.
This is also the part where you’ll take about payment and delivery. This is crucial. This is where they’ll likely pressure you into making a hasty decision, like taking the check or driving to a suspicious location.
Steer the conversation to a conclusion that’s favorable for both you and the customer. Set a time and place you’re both comfortable in to make the transaction. You can also consider using an escrow service if the client wants the car delivered.
Get Cash and Sell Your Car Quick Today
When you receive the cash for cars, it’s time to do the paperwork, such as signing over the title, submitting the Release of Liability to DMV, and more. See the second tip for the documents you need.
These tips will save you some headaches.
If you’ve decided to forego the stressful steps and sell your car to a junk car buyer instead, contact us to get a free quote. Visit us at our numerous locations across all states to get cash for cars now!
People who sell their junk cars for cash provide the raw materials to transport the nation.
Each year, between the US and Canada, enough automobiles are recycled to produce about thirteen million new cars.
But when you go to sell your scrap car, it can be difficult to know if you’re getting a fair price. This is likely your first time investigating what metal is worth and how the parts of your vehicle could be picked and pulled for profit.
Once you start adding up the value of the raw materials and the parts in your car, you may expect a big check when you hit the yard. Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple.
It can be difficult to know why the car you spent thousands of dollars on is now just worth a few hundred bucks. Keep reading to find out the factors that affect the price.
The Price of Scrap Metal Is Declining
Steel is a commodity that’s shipped all over the world. This makes its price tied to the global economy. It also accounts for the price you’ll get for your metal when you trade junk cars for cash.
Supply and demand affect steel prices and has brought them to a peak of nearly eight hundred dollars a ton. But these same forces are responsible for the extreme drop in 2016 to less than four hundred dollars a ton.
A big factor in the decline of steel prices is the shift China has recently made. They’ve gone from a manufacturing powerhouse to a country with high living and environmental standards.
Since they accounted for a large portion of the demand for American steel, prices have been steadily dropping. People trading their junk cars for cash can’t get the same value for their steel that they would have several years ago.
Vehicles Have to Be Drained and Stripped
Before a vehicle can be crushed, a junkyard has to drain it of all fluids and remove all unusable parts. This labor-intensive process is reflected in the amount you get when you trade your junk cars for cash.
One way to recover some of this money is to remove the parts yourself before scrapping the vehicle. You could sell them online or to a parts shop to regain more value.
In addition to removing parts, you should also get the gas out of your vehicle before you bring it to the scrap yard. Otherwise, the junkyard may charge you for additional labor.
The final thing you should do is clean out your vehicle to preserve its value. You need to remove all garbage and personal items.
Any effort you make to reduce the amount of work the junkyard has to do will be worth it. It will be reflected in the final check you get when you scrap your junk cars for cash.
The Cost of Transporting the Vehicle
Most often, when selling your junk cars for cash, you’ll need to have it brought to the junkyard by someone else. It’s likely the vehicle isn’t drivable or functioning properly.
There are three ways you could have your vehicle brought to the junkyard:
Have the vehicle towed to the scrapyard
Use roadside assistance or insurance coverage for reduced costs
Rely on the scrapyard to provide a towing service for you
If you choose to have the junkyard tow your vehicle for you, you’ll have to deduct the cost of this service from the check you get for your car. Depending on the distance, this could get quite expensive.
On average, this kind of tow costs about a hundred dollars. To avoid this charge, try to sell your car to the junkyard while it’s still in a drivable condition. Then you won’t have to worry about towing it.
Also, your car is most valuable while it’s still in working condition.
Deterioration of Your Car’s Parts
Around 80% of a vehicle can be recycled. Between using the parts on other vehicles of the same model and recovering the scrap metal, they can be stripped down completely. This means every part potentially has value.
But many people hesitate before they sell their junk cars for cash. They may consider things like restoration. They may dream of the day when they’ll have time and money to revamp their vehicle to the car of their dreams.
Or they may just want to sell their vehicle to a “real” buyer. They may have trouble accepting the fact that their car is good for little more than scrap metal.
Some people hold onto vehicles that aren’t running well because they’re afraid that their other vehicle will break down. This means their “junk” car will be their only option.
But no matter how good your reasons seem, you shouldn’t waste any more time before you trade your junk cars for cash. Waiting to sell your car is like throwing good money out the window.
The longer it sits, the longer the parts deteriorate. The ones that deteriorate the quickest are also the most valuable to salvage companies.
The parts in your car are made for movement. When a car isn’t driven regularly, rust can spread quickly through the vehicle.
The more rust on the body of your vehicle, the less the steel will be worth. Therefore, it’s important to avoid rust accumulation.
Rubber parts like window gaskets and tires can become brittle and break apart to the touch. If all the fluids have not been cleaned out of the car before it’s parked, any gas left in its tank will absorb water in the air. This can ruin the engine if you try to start it.
Animals can also infest your vehicle, building homes in the steering column and tampering with the wiring. Corrosion is another pesky force that can degrade valuable parts of your vehicle, like the starter and alternator.
All these problems come from leaving your car parked for too long. You should do something about your junk vehicle today.
To get the best price when selling your junk cars for cash, bring your vehicle in as soon as you’ve retired it from the road.
How to Get the Most for Your Vehicle
To sell your scrap metal or vehicle to a business, you first should establish ownership of it.
You’ll need to have proof of ownership in order to sell the car. You should bring the title of your vehicle with you when you go to the scrapyard.
Next, you’ll want to assess the value of your vehicle. When trading junk cars for cash, you should start with the market price of the vehicle and work from there.
You may be asked a lot of questions about your vehicle to assess its value. A few frequently questions asked are:
What kind of damage does it have?
Does it run?
What’s wrong with it?
You should answer all these questions truthfully. If you don’t like the price you get, you should call around to other local junkyards.
It can also be helpful to call some yards in other cities nearby. Prices can range substantially and a longer drive may be worth the money in the end.
Once you’ve chosen a location to trade your junk cars for cash, you should deliver your car yourself to get the most money for it. Again, don’t forget to bring the title, or you may be sent home to get it.
How Lemon Laws May Affect Your Trade
When you’re trying to sell a junk car, there are some laws you must abide by. The United States has a set of “Lemon Laws” that protect consumers from unfair treatment by car salespeople.
Most of these laws don’t apply here, but some can come back to haunt you.
Before you sell your junk cars for cash, you should do some research. Find out what the lemon laws are for the stat you plan to sell the vehicle in.
“As Is” Condition
You need to find out if your state allows you to sell your vehicle in “as is” condition.
The other option is to pursue a salvaged car title to legally receive money for your car. Sales involving cars with a salvaged title often operate under different laws.
Mileage Tampering
The next lemon law is the mileage tampering law.
Rolling back mileage is one of the most common ways for a seller to fool a buyer into buying a car that’s in poor working order.
Changing the odometer is punishable by law. So never try to roll back the mileage on your car in an attempt to get more money for it.
Status at Time of Sale
One more thing you should look into is how your state will regard your sale.
In many states, private owners operate under one set of laws while dealerships will operate under another.
You may assume that you’re a private seller. But if you’ve been selling junk cars for cash consistently, you may have reached dealer status in your community.
For example, in Massachusetts, anyone that has sold more than four vehicles within a year’s time frame is considered a dealer. They’ll be held to the same laws as car dealers.
Staying Under the Maximum
Don’t want to have to worry about abiding by state lemon laws when you sell your junk cars for cash? It’s helpful to find out if there’s a price at which the requirement is unnecessary.
For example, many states will only enforce refunds under lemon laws when a vehicle sells for more than seven hundred dollars.
Using Kelly Blue Book as a Starting Point
Looking up the resale value of your vehicle is free and easy if it’s still running.
If it isn’t, you can’t expect a junkyard to give you money for your vehicle that’s even remotely near this price. The Blue Book value assumes that your car is in good working condition. If that were the case, though, you wouldn’t be scrapping it.
The Kelly Blue Book value is still helpful as a rule of thumb. You can use it to estimate whether the offer you get from the scrap yard is high enough.
One way to calculate this value is to start with the Blue Book value. Then subtract how much it will cost for any repairs that are necessary for the car to be in sellable shape.
In this way, you’ll have a rough guide you can use to estimate what the car would be worth in different situations. This might include if it was sold at an auction or repaired and flipped at the scrap yard.
Where to Trade Junk Cars for Cash
When you have a vehicle to scrap, you want to get the best price for it.
But it can be difficult to know where to turn. Figuring out what factors are involved in the price of your vehicle is a great place to start, but where do you go from there?
Cars that have the most value are those that run. It’s also best when they’re rust-free and have been cleaned out beforehand.
The more work that a scrapyard has to do, the less they will give you for your car.
Be sure to look into lemon laws in your area before you go to sell your car. You want to ensure that you’re doing everything legally. By being aware of all the laws in your area, you’ll be able to command a price with confidence.
If you’re selling your junk car and are looking for a trustworthy company to recycle it with, contact us to see how much you can get to scrap you car.
