Have A Car That Doesn't Run Taking Up Space In Your Driveway? Here's How To Get The Most Amount Of Money For Your Junk Car

Posted on: 12 December 2017

When your old car finally stops running and starts taking up space in your driveway, you probably want to be rid of it as soon as possible. You can attempt to sell it to a private buyer online, but this process can take quite a while; most buyers are simply not interested in spending money for junk cars unless they are seeking a project car. Unless you have a make and model that's sought after by enthusiasts, you likely won't find much luck selling to a private buyer. If you want to sell your junk car quickly, it's best to go with a company that specializes in purchasing junk cars for cash. Here's how to make sure that you negotiate the best deal when selling to one of these companies:

Prepare A List Of Working Parts

Your car may have multiple issues and may not run, but it's certain to have at least a few parts that are in good working order. Perhaps these are parts that you have recently had replaced or parts that have not seen as much wear as the rest of your car. Since junk car buyers are purchasing these cars for the purpose of harvesting working parts and scrap metal, having a list of which parts of your car are in good working order can help you negotiate a better price. Have a licensed mechanic inspect your car to determine which parts would be suitable for repairing other cars; while the engine and transmission are likely too old to be useful, components such as the air conditioning unit may be in perfect working order. Use the mechanic's inspection as leverage when you are negotiating with junk car buyers.

Obtain A Copy Of Your Title, If Necessary

Although some junk car buyers will purchase cars from owners who don't have titles in hand, having your title available when you sell your car will make the process much smoother for both you and the buyer. Otherwise, you'll have to sign several notarized statements asserting that you own the car. If you've lost your title, contact your local DMV to determine how you can obtain a copy. Since some junk car buyers only work with sellers who have the title in hand, this opens up your options for shopping around.

Shop Around For The Best Deal From Junk Car Buyers

Contact all the junk car buyers who operate in your area and negotiate; don't settle for the first price that a buyer offers you. You should also contact scrapyards in the area to see if they would be interested in purchasing your junk car. However, scrapyards generally require you to transport the car there yourself, which will require you to pay your own tow truck fees. Companies who specialize in purchasing junk cars will almost always tow your car for free, which is much more convenient and likely means that you will make more money off of the sale.

The bottom line is that companies who specialize in purchasing junk cars are the best buyers for cars that are no longer functional. You're unlikely to find a private buyer, and you'll have to pay towing fees to transport the car to a scrapyard. By having the title in hand and an idea of which parts in the car are still functional, you can negotiate the best deal, quickly sell your junk car and walk away with the greatest amount of cash possible.

Share