Do you have an old car that you no longer drive? If the answer is yes, do not let it occupy space in your garage as it rots away. You could sell your junk cars quickly and make some quick money.
About 80% of your car can be recycled. And while most junk cars are worth $200 to $500 on the market, yours could easily command more than $1000. It all depends on how you will approach the process of selling junk cars.
If you want to sell your junk car but don’t know where to start, you have come to the right place. In this guide, we will outline everything you need to know about selling junk cars.
Can I Sell My Junk Car For $1000 or More?
Are you wondering how much your junk car is worth? Unfortunately, the answer is not as clear-cut as you’d expect. Although the price varies, you can get cash for junk cars quickly.
When it comes to the value of your junk car, a lot of factors come into play. Some of these include where you are selling your car. If there is only one junk car buyer in your town, you may have to take whatever they offer.
In the last few years, there has been a shortage of car chips. As a result, the manufacture of brand new vehicles has slowed down. People have no choice but to hold onto their old cars.
With more people choosing to repair their cars instead of buying new ones, the price of scrap car parts has hit a record high. And the price of scrap metal has also gone up.
A few years back, you could have struggled to get $500 for your car. But today, you stand a chance to get $1000 or more for your junk car. If you have one that is collecting dust in the garage, now is the perfect time to cash in on it.
When to Sell Your Car to a Junk Car Buyer
Your car may have seen the better days. It has served you well and it’s now beyond repair. Or the cost of repairing it is way above its value.
If this sounds like your current situation, selling it to a junk car buyer is your best bet. When dealing with junkyard companies, make sure they are licensed.
The scrapyard industry has a questionable reputation and many scams exist. Some of these enterprises rip off innocent people. Others will want to pay a price that is tremendously below your vehicle’s value.
Do your research and find a reputable junk car company, and you will get top dollar for your old car. Part of getting your car’s worth is ensuring the company uses a certified scale.
You can ask them about the scale they use. If they ascertain it is calibrated and certified as per the state laws, you will not lose anything on junk car price.
You also have an option to sell your old car to a dealer. However, it should have an extended warranty. It should not also need extensive repair work. Dealerships buy cars that they fix and re-sell.
Factors That May Influence the Price of Your Junk Car
Other aspects may either increase or decrease the price of your junk car. Let us explore factors that may affect the value of your junk car.
Wheels and Tires
If you had invested in good quality tires, do not remove them when selling your junk car. The buyer will have use for them if the threading is still intact.
Your old tires will be one of the criteria junk car buyers use to determine the price of your car. They can sell wheels that are in good shape to customers who may need them. For this reason, junk car buyers are always willing to pay more for your old car.
Shredded tires will still add value to your junk car. The junk car buyer can sell them to a tire recycling company. Such companies collect these tires from junk yards and use them for making new tires, or other rubber products.
The bottom line is that leaving the wheels or tires on your junk car could help you get $1000 or more for your car.
Location
When you live in a remote area, the nearest junk car company could be hundreds of miles away. The cost of delivering your junk car to them may significantly eat into your returns. And if the company can collect the vehicle from your residence, they will factor in transport cost.
Also, you may not be close to many junk car companies. The local junk car buyer may have some undesirable price points. But without an alternative, you will have no choice but to sell.
If you live in a big town, you’ll have a lot of choices. Busy suburbs have many junk car companies. You will not struggle to find a buyer.
The only challenge is that the junk companies will not offer much money. You get a slightly higher price through negotiation. Even so, it may not go beyond $500.
Popular cars command better market prices than the rest. However, a car that’s dominant in one city may be rare in another.
Prices of Scrap Metal
Junk car companies buy old vehicles for various reasons. Some of these enterprises buy old vehicles for parts harvesting. However, companies purchase junk cars for recycling purposes.
The price of scrap metal fluctuates depending on demand and supply. Also, the price of scrap metal may vary in different regions.
If the steel demand is high in your region, your junk car may fetch over $1000. When demand is low or average, you might not get much money for your old vehicle. Some junk car sellers hold onto their vehicles until the price of scrap metals goes up.
Additionally, all vehicles don’t weigh the same. A light car will not produce as much scrap metal as a heavier and larger vehicle.
The Condition of Your Junk Car
You maybe be surprised that junk car companies consider the condition of your junk car. But remember, they also harvest car parts for resale. A vehicle that is still intact will fetch more money than a dilapidated car.
When evaluating the condition of your car, the buyer looks at the interior and exterior body damage. They also check whether all mirrors and lights are intact.
Other damages they will want to look at include fire or flood damage. The more the damage, the lower the price.
The Type of Title You Have
The title you have may also determine how much you will sell your junk car for. For instance, a salvage title will mean that your car is not road-worthy. The junk yard buyers can only use it for its part.
For this reason, your junk car value will hinge on its condition. If most of its parts are not good enough for resale, it can only be recycled. And you might not get a good deal for it from the buyer.
A car with a clean title will command a good price at the junk yard. A clean title means that it’s free from accidents and probably in great condition.
Also, there is a junk title. When your car has this kind of title, it can only be sold as parts. Unlike the salvage title, this car cannot be repaired and pass an inspection.
Mileage
A junk car with more than 200,000 miles on its clock will do much worse. Junk car companies will not get any auto parts from such a car. And they will not pay much for it.
A car without about 70,000 miles on its clock is more attractive. Junk car buyers know that they can salvage some solid parts from it. Based on that, they will pay a better rate for it.
The Model and Year
During car repairs, people are always looking for cheaper auto parts. Junk car buyers profit immensely by buying popular vehicles. This is because they can harvest the parts and sell them at profit.
If your junk car falls within the popular category, you will make some reasonable money from its sale. Carmakers may produce a limited model of vehicle in certain years. For this reason, car parts of such vehicles are rare.
If your old car is from a limited edition production run, it will command a higher price. Junk car buyers will make a killing from the sale of its parts.
Does the Engine Work?
An old that still runs has better prospects for junk car buyers. It means that many parts of its engine are in good working condition. These parts translate into more profits.
The Catalytic Converter
This is big one. Because catalytic converters contain precious metals, they hold serious value and can really boost (or drop) the value of your junk car.
Steps to Follow When Selling Junk Cars
If you want to get top dollar for your old car, you need a strategy. Also, you don’t want to get into trouble with authorities in the process. In this section, we provide steps to follow when selling junk cars.
Prepare the Paperwork
Unscrupulous people steal vehicles and sell them at a low price. As you embark to sell your junk car, you need to have the necessary documents. Otherwise, buyers will be wary of paying for it.
The car title is one of the crucial documents you need to have. It shows that you are the owner of the vehicle, and you legally have the right to sell it as you please.
What if you lost your car title? You will need to replace it before selling the car. Visit your local vehicle management authority offices and you will get the necessary help. You can also go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website to replace the title.
As you prepare the paperwork, ensure that you don’t owe any money on your old car. You can start discussing the sale of your old car with the buyer when all documents are ready.
Spruce up the Old Vehicle
If you want to sell your vehicle for over $1000, sprucing it up will help. The goal is to make it more appealing to the buyer. Having a load of junk in its trunk will not help.
Take some time to clean up your car. Get rid of any junk that it may have in the cabin or trunk. Spray your car to get rid of any odor coming from it.
Advertise
After everything is ready, create an AD for your car. You could easily sell it at your local junkyard, but the returns will be disappointing. Focus on getting the most out of it.
Advertise your car in an old newspaper or even social media and it might fetch a great price. If it still runs, you may even have a buyer who wants to use it. Ensure the price you indicate in the advert is reasonable.
Some sites specialize in buying and salvaged or old vehicles. These enterprises allow you to set yours for your junk car. If they are interested, they reach out to you with an offer that you can accept or decline.
The best part is that most of these companies pay you promptly. The others will take a little bit longer as they process your request.
Respond to Callers
Once your post or advert is out, you are going to receive multiple calls. However, you will need to ascertain the seriousness of the buyers. Let the calls go to your voicemail.
Take time to listen to the callers. You will know which ones are serious. Call them back and arrange to close the deal.
Offer a Test Drive
If your old car still runs well, arrange for a test drive with the potential buyer. Choose a safe location that is convenient to you for the test drive.
Junk car companies are the best shot for selling your old car if it doesn’t run. You can approach them directly and listen to their offers.
Contact Salvagers
The condition of your old car can be horrible. Still, you don’t have to dispose of it for free. Call salvagers and they may have a deal for you.
Salvagers pay according to the weight of your junk car. They also pay for any parts that are in good condition. You can get a decent amount of money for your vehicle from them.
Before you rush to call the salvagers, run a background check on them. Read reviews on various salvagers to ensure that they are reputable.
Agree on Your Car Pick up Time
Once you finalize everything concerning the sale of your junk car, the issue of transporting may arise. Fortunately, most junk car companies are well equipped. They will use one of their two trucks to come and pick the car.
Although it would appear as if they are picking up your car for free, that is not the case. Salvagers will factor in the cost of transportation in the transaction. As a result, you may lose a few dollars on the sale.
Looking on the brighter side, you don’t have to stress about getting your car to the junkyard. You agree with the buyers on the pick-up time, and they will show up and tow the car.
Sign Off the Paperwork and Get Paid
Selling your old car comes with some legal requirements. If you are dealing with a genuine junk car company, they will want to ensure everything is done right. You can get them to sign an agreement on the term of sale beforehand.
The salvagers may also have a structured process for the purchase. You have to fulfill each other’s terms per the law. Sign the necessary papers and complete the transactions.
Alert the Authorities of the Sale
After surrendering the ownership of your old car to the junkyard, notify the relevant authorities. You may need to log the sale with your management vehicle department. Your insurance company may also require notification.
Sell Your Junk Car to Us
Selling junk cars should not be stressful. If you have a car that you no longer use, call us today. We will ensure that get the best price for your junk car. We also relieve you of the burden of delivering it to our site.
We are a reputable junk car company that specializes in buying old cars. We buy all types of vehicles – no matter their condition.
The best part? You can get an offer right online or by calling us at 1-855-922-3095.
