If you have a car that is not exactly in great condition, you may think you can’t get any money for it, but you would be wrong. You can score some dough and it doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Here are just a few considerations.
Can You Still Sell It?
The first thing you want to think about is whether you still may be able to sell the vehicle. If it is less than 12 years old and has less than 120,000 miles on it, it is still sellable. You would also need to consider the general condition of the car, particularly the engine and transmission. You would want to get an idea of what similar cars are selling for in your area. If you think you can sell it, you can then decide whether you want to privately or try to sell it to a dealer.
Cars that don’t meet that first set of criteria or do not run anymore are junk cars and you can begin the process of selling it for parts.
Doing it Yourself
If you are so inclined, you can break down the car yourself and sell the parts on EBay or some other online site. There are several parts that may be particularly easy to sell such as tires and the catalytic converter. Batteries can be recycled.
Finding a Buyer
If your car is in really bad shape, your only option may be a salvage yard, where the scrapped car will likely be used to manufacture a variety of goods. You can find many places that buy junk cars either online or in the phone book. Make sure you talk to multiple to make sure you are getting the best price. The value in junk cars is far beyond the metal. It may also contain components that can be sold separately.
Don’t just go with the first one you see. Many may offer to pick it up for free, but some charge a towing fee. Find out if this fee is factored into the price they offer for the vehicle. You will need to provide a title so be sure you have that. If the car is not in your name for any reason, you will need to change that.
Considerations for Donation
If your car is in really sorry shape and you are having trouble finding someone to take it off your hands, consider donating it. There are many organizations that take cars as a means of revenue for their cause. You can find companies that represent various charities or you can contact one directly. The process is pretty simple. You just need to provide some information about the car, such as make, model and year, and someone will come pick it up for free. You can claim the value of the vehicle against your next tax return. You won’t need a title for donation.
