How To Get Rid Of A Broken Down Car

Marc Skirvin
Marc Skirvin

What's in this Article

There comes a time in every car’s life when it just can’t go on anymore. In fact, vehicle breakdowns are estimated to cost the US economy $41B per year.  Maybe the engine dies, or the transmission gives out, but at some point, it becomes clear that the car is no longer usable.

It’s often difficult to find someone who wants to buy a car that’s not in good condition. You could try to sell it as is, but that can be a challenge. Worry not; there is a better way.

This blog post will explain America’s preferred method for selling broken-down cars. You’ll get that piece of junk off your hands in no time!

What Counts As A Broken Down Car?

The expression “My car broke down” can cover many issues. So it’s best to get on the same page about what qualifies as ‘broken down’. Some car parts are easy to diagnose, while others are not.

So let’s start with some examples. We’ll break them down into categories, so they’re easier to understand.

The following things might make your car ‘broken down’:

  • The engine won’t start.
  • The engine starts, but the car can’t go faster than five mph.
  • The vehicle overheats and shuts off.
  • Transmission problems: gears won’t shift, slipping gears, or grinding noises while shifting.
  • The battery dies while driving, and the car shuts off.
  • Wheels fall off.

These are just a few examples of what can make your car break down. It’s also important to note that sometimes these problems overlap, so one issue might cover several categories.

Usually, a broken-down car means that it strictly cannot be driven in its current state. But there are some cases where you can still drive the car, but it’s much safer not to.

What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down?

There are a few things to keep in mind here. Whether you’re driving on a highway, boulevard, or street, you need to pull over right away when your car breaks down. You must place the vehicle in a safe spot and turn on hazards.

After pulling over, don’t leave the car until help arrives unless you’re on a small road. It’s best not to try and tinker with the car yourself. You don’t know what parts of the car still work and which parts don’t, and it’s dangerous to work near traffic.

If the outdoor conditions are hazardous to your health(i.e., frigid cold), remain in the car with the heater on. Immediately call for help, and try not to open the doors, as the heat will swiftly escape.

What Can You Do With A Broken Down Car

Once you’ve towed your car off the road, it’s time to figure out what you’re going to do with it. There are plenty of things that you can do with a broken-down car, and they’re not all bad!

Repairs

The intuitive choice is to fix the car. Depending on your financial situation, this can be a great or awful idea and how bad the damage is. Unfortunately, the problems that cause a car to break down completely are usually severe and expensive to fix.

You may not need to drop a ton of money on the car if it’s only got one slice of bad luck: like a broken radiator or dead battery. But, if you’re dealing with severe transmission failure or multiple overlapping problems, it can get very pricey.

If you’re on good terms with your local mechanic, call them and ask how much it would cost to fix the car.

Selling the Car

If the cost of repairs is just too much, it might be time to sell your car to a company like Cash Auto Salvage. Junk cars for sale companies will commonly buy broken down and totaled cars from consumers and tow truck services. The car’s parts are then used for other vehicles or sold to neighboring businesses. That way, you still get something out of your old clunker.

If you manage to fix your car and sell it temporarily, it might break down in the new buyer’s hands. They might decide to sue you. This is the best option to avoid future troubles.

On the other hand, services that specialize in junk cars.

How To Sell Your Broken Down Car?

We’ve streamlined this process to make it exponentially easier and quicker to sell a broken-down car than a working one. There is no need for credit checks or for you to leave the car with us. We get our tow truck driver to bring it right to us, and we handle all the paperwork from there. Here’s how this process works:

Step 1: Give us a ring

The power of a service like ours lies in its capacity as a one-stop-shop. The entire process is incredibly efficient and made simpler by our well-trained staff. They can tell you how much your car is worth based on its model, whether the parts are in good condition, etc.

Our estimates are 100% free and without obligation, so don’t be afraid to visit. We can give you a quote over the phone, or through our instantaneous quote calculator. You simply need to enter information about your car into our form, and our algorithm will do the rest. 

You can expect a complete quote within 90 seconds. 

Step 2: We come to grab it

Next, we’ll send over a tow truck driver who will pick up the car for free. No need to incur additional charges! If our offer satisfies you, then you can say goodbye to your car and welcome the money into your life.

Once you inform us of when and where to find your car, our courteous tow truck driver will come over to bring it to our garage. We will inspect the vehicle, discuss future options with you, and make sure everything is in order.

Step 3: We pay you cash on delivery

The great thing about our service is that you get paid on the same day in cold, hard cash. It’s a quick, efficient way of doing business that gives us a reputation as among the top junk car buyers in the area.

Why Choose Cash Auto Salvage?

With decades of combined experience, every team member is equipped to navigate this process. They know what to look out for at each point and inform you of anything that needs your attention. We handle all the paperwork ourselves, so there’s no hassle on your end.

What Cash Auto Salvage apart from similar companies is how fast we are doing business with people in need. We can close deals in a matter of minutes and get you the money you might need in an emergency. And if we buy your car, it will be recycled sustainably, so there’s no guilt when you choose our company.

Conclusion

Selling a broken-down car doesn’t have to be an arduous process. While losing a vehicle is always unfortunate, you can turn it into a favorable situation by gathering cash in return. It’s an easy, hassle-free way of getting rid of broken-down cars and moving on to bigger and better things.

Check out our website or call us for more information. We’ll be happy to assist you, and you can get a free estimate 24/7 by filling out our form.

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About the Author

Marc
Marc

Marc is the Co-Founder of Cash Auto Salvage and Director of daily operations. He retired from a leading Internet Marketing company in 2013 and has been involved in the automotive industry ever since.

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