If you’re anything like me, you have love and a strong appreciation for your car. Our cars are there to take us to where we need to go, from routine commutes to and from, to long road trips. They’ve shielded us from rain, snow, heat and cold, and we do what we can keep them going strong and looking their best. After a certain amount of time, however, that love and friendship becomes an unhealthy attachment. Now is the time to put things in perspective and consider hauling it off to somewhere it can make a difference.
Here’s a guide to help you find a better home for old Betsy.
1. Sell Her To A Junkyard
There is a place where all the old, used up cars can go. It’s called a junkyard. You may be wondering why any sane person would pay cash for junk cars. In fact, junkyard owners can buy your car and salvage parts that may be useful to someone else. For instance, if someone with a similar car model needs to replace a car part, those parts can be removed from the old car, shined up and installed onto the new car.
There are plenty of junkyards around, and some have old car removal services so you don’t need to have it towed there. This saves you time and money in the long run.
2. Sell The Metal
Some metal recyclers or car wreckers will give you cash for scrap cars because they are interested in the value of the car’s metal, especially the really old ones. This is because old cars were constructed with steel, a strong, durable metal that has many alternative uses. They’ll also purchase your newer junk cars, which are often made with a form of aluminium, but they pay less for that type of material.
Before towing it all the way to the scrap metal yard, be sure to get an appraisal. This will help you determine whether it’s even worth going through the trouble of having the car towed.
3. Sell The Parts Yourself
It may be more profitable for you to keep the car and sell the parts individually. This is, in fact, what the junkyard dealers plan to do anyway. The fact that they’re willing to pay a little for junk means that they plan to make a profit off the parts in the long run.
Breaking the car apart yourself is worth it, especially if your car is old and is no longer manufactured. Owners of the same car may need those parts, which may be too expensive or hard to find elsewhere.
One drawback is this method probably only works for those with a background in selling or fixing car parts.
4. Fix It Up And Sell It
With time and a little money invested, it’s possible to flip your old car and sell it as a used vehicle. If there’s any hope that your car can be back on the road again and the expenses won’t exceed your profit, then it’s worth doing. It’s much better to do this than to sell it as a trade-in since those offers are often below the car’s potential value.
Sometimes old cars may just need some basic mechanical work, new tires and deep cleaning. Be sure to research your car’s value to determine a reasonable asking price. Plenty of websites can give you appraisal values.
Getting cash for old cars isn’t only a way to fatten your pockets a little. It frees up space and contributes to the safety and cleanliness of your yard. Once your old side-kick clunks for the last time and it sits in the yard with paint peeling and accumulated rust, it’s just taking up space. Not to mention, it’s a magnet for pests such as snakes, rats, bees and more.
