11 Key Things to Do Before Junking a Car

Are you ready to junk your car, and you’re not sure where to begin? Junking a car can be time-consuming and, at times, confusing.

But, if your car keeps breaking down and you’re considering buying a new one, there is no need for it to stay for decades in your backyard. You can always benefit from the various car scrap prices.

A junk car is a vehicle with significant damage, old enough, or repair cost is more than its value. If you have a rusty car, totaled, and you’re not selling, consider junking it.

Keep reading to know the eleven key things to do before junking a car.

1. Removing Valuable Parts Before Junking Your Car

Your primary goal is to gain as much capital as possible from the wrecked auto. So, remove parts or components from the vehicle that will fetch you some dollars after selling them separately.

You can remove the starter motors, alternators, entertainment systems, and all high-value parts. You should remove all parts that you can sell to retailers or similar car owners.

Also, you can decide to take some parts to manufacturers for restoration before reusing or selling them. You should also check on the wheels and battery.

But, if you decide to take out the tires because they are still in good condition, replace them with beat-up ones. That’s because dealers might refuse to buy the vehicle if it’s not in a towable condition.

Some cash could also be hiding in the car’s gas tank. Siphon out any gasoline left there using a siphon pump and store it in a tight container away from heat or use it to fuel another vehicle.

You might lack the mechanical know-how to distinguish between a functional part and a dead one. If so, call in a local mechanic to help you out.

Note that some states don’t need a title. They will allow you to present your old vehicle’s registration together with your license.

2. Getting Your Paperwork in Order

Another important aspect to consider when junking your car is proof of ownership. Though you can sell your vehicle without a valid title, it’s much harder.

Your title will ease the process of transferring ownership to the dealer. Let’s say if, in the worst-case scenario, thieves steal your car from the junkyard before they crash it.

You will not have to participate in a theft investigation if there is such an eventuality. Suppose you can’t locate your title, visit the state’s department of motor vehicles to replace it.

There are different car title rules in each state. So, consider checking with your state’s DMV to know if you need to get your car’s paperwork in order.

3. Knowing How to Junk a Car

Know how to junk your car. Here are steps to assist you in figuring out the best way to junk cars for cash:

Assessing Your Car

What is the condition of your car? By knowing that, you’re on your way to getting the best price for your car.

Here are the various questions to ask yourself:

• Is my car drivable?

• Are there severely damaged parts (major body and engine damage)?

• Are there parts that I can resell?

You need to answer these questions because you need them to junk cars for cash. Also, any junkyard service will ask you the above questions.

4. Have a Realistic Price Expectation

You require the highest price possible for your junk car. That’s normal! But, how much is that? Let us put some issues into perspective.

The car’s value will depend on the metal content. The scrap metal industry’s primary source of value is your car’s metal content.

That’s so because they will recycle and reuse your car’s metal to make many items, including new vehicle parts. Also, there are markets for iron, steel, copper, aluminum, palladium, and platinum in your catalytic converter.

All these parts have value though their prices in the market fluctuate daily. But, the more metal there is in your car, the more it’s worth as scrap.

Large vehicles will always win in the scrap metal industry because they have more metal. Note that the average vehicle has up to 300 lbs. of aluminum and 2400 lbs. of steel.

5. Cancel Your Vehicle’s Insurance

You do not need to continue insuring your car if you sell it for junk. Call your insurance company after deciding to sell it and picking a date for the junk dealer to haul it away.

Clearly explain that you’re selling your car and wish to end the coverage at the end of the set selling date. This way, they cover your car until it arrives at its destination.

Your insurance company will then refund any coverage amount paid beyond that day.

6. Removing the License Plate

Selling your car as junk might result in immediate towing. Getting everyone there at once is hard if your vehicle is at a service station or tow yard.

But, for the tow truck driver sent to get your car, time is money. It becomes easy to overlook important details when you are all in a hurry.

So, ensure you remove the license plate before they tow away your car. Rules will differ in each state about the transfer title and license plate.

In most states, you have to return the car’s license plate to the DMV before canceling your registration. Also, you can’t cancel the vehicle’s insurance until you return the plates and registration.

You might ask, “What’s the worst-case scenario if I leave the license plate on my junk car?” People can steal the plate and mount it on another car for criminal activities.

You don’t want to deal with the police for failing to remove your plates, do you?

7. Shop Around for a Good Deal

It does not matter the state of your junk car. Different junkyard dealers will offer different car scrap prices. Though the offers only vary a bit, it’s good to look for the best price before scrapping a car.

Junkyard dealers always want to buy cars at the lowest price possible. So ensure you improve your negotiation skills.

Have all the necessary information about your car. That’s because dealers will always want to know the car problems before giving you an offer.

Ensure you have a rough estimate of the value of your car before accepting offers. A nice way to do this is by asking your local mechanic for a rough estimate.

After that, call a few junkyards to compare offers. Do the dealers offer free towing? Please inquire about the amount they will offer you without including the vehicle’s towing charges.

At times, delivering a car on your bill might get you a better offer when you do your math right.

8. Work With a Licensed Dealer

Some states prohibit junkyard dealers from conducting business without a license. Ensure the dealer you choose has an active license.

Before conducting business, ask the yard dealer to show you their license. Also, if you can access e-services for license checks, verify their license number online.

It’s always tempting to rush things after hitting a good deal. But, working with a dealer with the correct license protects you from imminent liabilities in the future.

For instance, the dealer might turn sour somewhere along the way, like when they promise and fail to settle the cash sometime later. If you are dealing with an unlicensed dealer, you can’t make a valid claim against them.

Worse, you might face charges for doing an improper transfer of your car. Note that you are risking a fine or jail term when dealing with a shady junkyard dealer.

9. Have the Weight Scale Certified

We mostly sell scrap cars by the ton. The more tons your scrap car weighs, the more cash it will fetch you.

That sounds straightforward. It does until you discover that junkyard dealers use different weight scales. Some will use faulty scales that will give lower measurements of your vehicles.

Once that happens, you will lose some dollars from your deal without your knowledge. So, avoid dealing with crooked dealers and always ensure they have a certified weight scale.

10. When Necessary, Remove Non-Metallic components

Some dealers buy your car in full, including the non-metallic parts. But, others will prefer after you strip it down to the bare metal.

Inquire about how dealers in your area prefer junk cars. If they like them stripped-down, you stand a better chance of selling your car when you strip it down.

Though scrapping off plastics, emptying fluid, and removing seats need special equipment and expertise, you need to do the job.

You should call in a mechanic to aid you with this process. But, a cheaper alternative is to ask friends for help since it is more fun that way.

11. Checking Customer Reviews

If you prefer using Google to look for junkyard companies, check their customer reviews. Most companies will have an online presence.

Walk away from any junkyard dealer without an online presence. Also, if customers aren’t happy, do not bother contacting them.

Do the Above Things Before Junking a Car

Junking a car feel straightforward, but getting the best price for your scrap vehicle is a bit tricky.

Research on the junkyard dealer, have many quotes from various dealers and do your math to get the best deal.

Do you have a vehicle that’s disintegrating in your backyard with no hope of ever hitting the road again? Selling the vehicle to a junkyard is the most viable option.

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