Remember that car you bought 20 years ago that no longer works, the one sitting in the yard gathering rust? You can turn that dead car into cash.
There’s plenty of things you can do with junk cars. Someone in Nebraska even created a replica of Stonehenge with nothing but derelict cars. If you’re not feeling quite so adventurous, you can simply sell the thing.
Scrapyards and car buyers are always on the lookout for junk cars that they can take off people’s hands. Here’s your guide to swapping cars for cash.
Preparation
A junk car is an old vehicle that no longer functions and will be more effort than it’s worth to fix. Before you look to get rid of your old car, you’ll need to do some basic prep work to make the process as smooth as possible.
Strip the Interior
Before you find a buyer, make sure and get all your belongings from the car. It might be tempting to leave stuff in there, but it can cause problems with the sale further down the line, so you’re better safe than sorry.
Be sure to check every nook and cranny of the car for any items that might be in there. Pay particular attention to the glove box, CD player, and door pockets.
If you might have any personal documents like receipts or tax information in the car, make it a priority to get rid of those.
Find Your Papers
Selling a car, even a dead one, without proof of ownership will be a hazardous exercise.
A junkyard or any other buyer will often require you to have proof of ownership of the vehicle before they buy it from you. Be wary of anyone that tries to buy the car from you without asking for the paperwork.
Selling a car without that paperwork isn’t impossible, but if the ownership of the vehicle doesn’t get transferred over and it causes or is involved in an accident, you could still be held liable.
Find a Buyer
Once you’ve removed all your belongings from the car and got all your paperwork in order, it’s time to find a buyer. Knowing some basic info about your car can help you figure out how much you can get for the car.
The buyer will want to know some basic information about the car’s condition as this will affect the price they’re willing to pay for it.
They’ll want to know if the car is driveable, whether or not it is damaged, and if there are any parts worth salvaging on it. Make sure and assess the vehicle thoroughly so that you can provide an answer to these questions.
It will also help you to know the basic info about the car. Things like:
- Year, make, and model
- Can the car be towed?
- Can the car be driven?
- Vehicle Identification number
Don’t be afraid to negotiate, but the buyer is likely to be the expert. Once you’ve agreed on a price, the buyer will come and take the car off your hands and away to their scrap yard.
Cash Out on Your Junk Car
So now you know the best way to get rid of a junk car. It’s a very straightforward process, and before you know it, it will be time for you to cash out on that old rusty car in your yard.
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