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When Does My Car Become a Junk Car?
A junk car is any car that is too old or damaged to be worth making the repairs on it that it needs to keep running safely. Cars that have been totaled in accidents or sustained unfixable frame damage are the most obvious contenders for the junk car designation. In the absence of an accident, old age or an overlooked maintenance issue can escalate into a car needing a lot of expensive repairs.
If your car isn’t totaled but you’re facing an expensive mechanic bill, using a site like Kelley Blue Book to determine your car’s market value will give you a helpful point of comparison. However, if you’re looking at repairs totaling half of your car’s value or more, it’s probably not worth it.
There are other instances where your initial trip to the mechanic leaves you with perfectly affordable costs, but the age of your car means this will be the first of many mechanic trips. Those costs can add up over time, and as your car continues to age it becomes less worth it over time to make those fixes.
How Do I Know What My Car is Worth?
When selling anything, the first number you have in mind should be how much you’d like to get for the item you’re selling. With cars in good running order, there’s always been tools available to find the value of your car. But with a junk car, how can you know how much money you can make from your vehicle?
The easiest way is to search through online car auction and salvage sites for cars with the same make and model and similar damage. If possible, look to see that the prices you’re seeing are in a region near you.
There are a number of factors influencing the value of a junk car. A rusted old car with frame damage that’s been in the yard for years can be sold as salvage in the same manner a new car with a bad engine can, but their values will be very different. On average, 80 percent of a car that comes into a recycling facility will be recyclable or sellable.
What really influences your car’s value is how much of it can be sold by the recycling facility once it’s been broken down. The other major factors are your region and the current prices in the metal industry. The price of steel and other metals found in your car fluctuate, as do the value of recycled materials in different areas.
How Do I Sell a Junk Car?
If you’re used to upgrading your car while your old one is still in working condition, the prospect of getting rid of a junk car may be confusing. Finding a private seller could take a lot of time, as you’ll be waiting for someone interested in fixing your car up.
Trading it in isn’t an option, at least not one that’ll save you much money on your next car. So what can you do? Making a listing online to sell it privately is still an option, as is calling around local junk yards for quotes. There are also helpful tools online that will find buyers for you, like CarJunkYardsNearMe.com.
Before you sell, you should prepare by removing any personal effects and cleaning up the car for a bit. Regardless of how you go about it, pictures will be helpful. Photograph your car from a number of angles, and be sure to include photos of damage that will influence the value so that your quote will be as accurate as possible.
Make sure you have your title available as well. You should have your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) written down. This number is 17 digits long, unique to your car, and can be found through the driver’s side of your windshield. If you’re calling junkyards yourself or selling privately, you should also gather mechanic records so you’re able to answer questions and provide information about your car’s damage and repair history.
The absolute easiest and safest way to sell your junk car is online. With CarJunkYardsNearMe.com, you can get a free quote with nothing more than your VIN and photos of your car. Our quotes are available in 90 seconds and guaranteed for seven days!
Towing and title transfer is always on us, and we can arrange pickup at your convenience. One of our professional tow drivers can pick up your car in 24-48 hours with payment ready. We only work with reputable buyers in your area, guaranteeing a safe transaction that puts as much money as possible in your wallet.
Did You Know?
