Do you want to sell junk cars?
Whether you have a car that doesn’t work anymore, or you’re interested in starting a business selling junk cars, we know it’s not easy!
Don’t fret! You’re not alone. Many people don’t know where to start, as selling junk cars can be complicated.
Lucky for you, in today’s article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to sell junk cars. It’s a great way to make some money!
We’ll also tell you about problems you might face and things you should consider before selling junk cars.
Why You Should Consider Selling Junk Cars
We typically consider a car “junk” when it’s damaged in a way that makes it inoperable or unsafe to drive on public roads.
Here’s why you should consider selling junk cars:
- Free up your driveway: after getting your money’s worth over the years from driving your car, you can still sell it and make some money. You’ll also be freeing up some space in your driveway. You can put the money you make from selling your junk car toward a new one.
- It’s a profitable business: selling junk cars is a good business. You can buy junk cars for a cheap price and sell their parts
- No matter how damaged the car is, you can still sell it: even If the vehicle is in bad condition, you might be able to sell it as scrap metal. No matter how damaged the vehicle is, you’ll always find a buyer!
- You’ll be your own boss: you can put as much time and effort in this business as you want.
Problems With Selling Junk Cars
Selling a car is easy when it’s in good condition. However, selling junk cars tends to be a little more complicated.
Here are some problems you might face with selling junk cars:
- Car evaluation isn’t easy: it’ll take you a lot of time and effort to be able to evaluate a car’s condition and price it. Not to mention how car evaluation is becoming more difficult due to the increasing number of car models every year.
- You’ll have to look for the best offer: selling junk cars means you’ll have to look around for the best deal. That includes calling several junkyards or scrap metal dealers.
- Finding junk cars to buy can be hard: if you want to start a business, you’ll have to do a lot of searching to establish resources. Junk cars aren’t that hard to find, but you need to know where to look.
- It’s hard to tell how much money you’ll make: the amount of money you can make from selling junk cars is highly unpredictable. That’s because it depends on the make, model, year, mileage, and the car’s condition.
What You’ll Need to Sell Junk Cars
To sell junk cars, you’ll need to do a few preparations that’ll help you maximize your profit. Here are some of them:
- Do Your Research: doing your research about resources and buyers in your area is essential to starting a successful business. You should gather your resources before you start selling. Then, you can create a list of places you can potentially sell to when you’re ready.
- Learn how to evaluate junk cars: determining the car’s value is one of the most important parts of selling junk cars. You can start by checking the prices of junk cars on the market.
- Prepare for car pickups: once you complete a sale, you need to contact a towing company to haul the car away. However, if you’re selling the vehicle to salvage yards, many offer free junk car removal. You can also negotiate with the junk car buyer on the towing fees.
- Understand local laws: when selling junk vehicles, you should check your local laws and restrictions. Some areas might require certain paperwork to scrap the car.
Where to Sell Junk Cars
There are many places you can sell junk cars. You want to check local junkyards and scrap metal dealers. Here are some places you can sell junk cars:
1. Junkyards
The most common place to sell junk vehicles is junkyards. Your local junkyard probably accepts any type of damaged vehicle. Keep in mind that local junkyards won’t give you the best deals. However, it’s a fast and easy way to sell a junk vehicle.
- Fees/Commission: no fees
- Payment Methods: mostly cash
2. Private Car Buyers
Many people buy junk cars to fix them. You can find private buyers online. You must make sure they’re credible and have a good reputation. You should check out online reviews or testimonials before making a deal with a private junk car buyer.
- Fees/Commission: no fees
- Payment Methods: the payment methods depend on the car buyer
3. Peddle
Peddle is an online platform that buys junk cars. You can enter the details of the car on the website, and you’ll receive an offer in no time.
The company offers free pickup, and in some cases, they pick up the car on the same day. Overall, they accept cars with any kind of damage.
- Fees/Commission: no fees
- Payment Methods: you’ll get paid in check after the pickup
4. Wheelzy
Wheelzy is an online platform that buys any kind of junk car. After entering the details of the car on the website, they’ll contact you with the offer in minutes.
- Fees/Commission: no fees
- Payment Methods: you’ll get paid in cash on the spot when they pick up the car
5. Craigslist
People sell all kinds of items on Craigslist, including junk cars. It’s easy to use and free. The best thing is that it can connect you with potential buyers in your area.
- Fees/Commission: no fees
- Payment Methods: depends on the buyer, but mostly in cash
6. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is like an online yard sale where you can sell almost anything. You can post your junk car on Facebook Marketplace and sell it directly to people in your area.
Since everybody uses Facebook, it can be a good place to sell junk cars.
- Fees/Commission: no fees
- Payment Methods: cash
7. Auto Salvage Auctions
Auto salvage auctions can be a good place to sell junk cars quickly. However, don’t expect to get good deals. Therefore, this should be your last resort.
- Fees/Commission: no fees
- Payment Methods: cash
How to Sell Junk Cars: Step-By-Step Instructions
Whether you’re new to the business or want to sell your damaged vehicle, the following steps will help you out. Here’s how to sell junk cars:
Step 1: Evaluate Car Condition
The most important step is to evaluate the car’s condition to see what it’s worth. Keep in mind that some cars can be fixed, and you can sell them for a great profit.
If you’re having trouble finding a car’s value, you can use a car value calculator or ask a professional. On average, junk cars can be worth around $100 to $500. Junk cars can be valued at a higher price, depending on their make, model, and condition.
It’s a good idea to check online websites like Wheelzy and Peddle for instant offers. The quotes they give you will be helpful when comparing available options.
Step 2: Remove Personal Items
Before selling the car, make sure that it doesn’t have any personal items. Then, remove any items that contain personal information, including the auto insurance card and vehicle registration.
If you’re scrapping the car, remove all license plates. That’s because you might have to turn them in.
Step 3: Remove Valuable Items
Although the car might not be worth a lot of money, it can contain valuable accessories or expensive parts. For example, some cars have valuable speakers that you can sell separately.
You can remove these valuable parts before sending the car off. Then, you’ll be able to make some extra money.
Step 4: Checkout Different Buyers
To find the best deal, you should check out different buyers, junkyards, or online platforms. Unless you’re in a hurry, we recommend posting several ads online and visiting different scrapyards.
Step 5: Finish Paper Work
Depending on your local laws and regulations, you might have to turn in your license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
If you’re selling the car to a scrapyard, you must cancel the car insurance. If you’re selling the car to someone who wants to fix it, it’s best to wait until the registration is transferred to the buyer to avoid any potential liability.
After that, you should look up state records to confirm that the title transfer was completed. That’s because the process doesn’t go through correctly in some rare cases.
Things to Consider When Selling Junk Cars
Before selling junk cars, there are some essential things you should consider. Here are some of them:
1. You have to pay off any loans on the car
If you have an active loan on your junk car, you’ll have to pay it off. That’s because most junk car buyers don’t buy cars with active loans.
2. Can you fix the car
Before selling any junk car, you should check if you can fix it. That’s because a functioning car can be worth a lot more than a junk one. Repairing and flipping cars is an easy way to make $1,000 fast.
3. You must have a copy of the title
When selling a car to any buyer, you must have the title of the vehicle. If you lost or misplaced your title, you can easily obtain a replacement by contacting the DMV.
4. You can donate your junk car
If you’re not interested in making money, you can always donate your car to charity. Some organizations can take the car off your hands for free. The best part is that you’ll get a tax deduction for the donation.
Selling the car piece by piece will make you more money
you can make much more money selling the car bit by bit, depending on its model and condition. However, it requires a lot of time and effort to sell all the parts separately. You also should hire a mechanic to dismantle the vehicle properly without damaging the parts.
5. Consider investing in a tow truck and trailer
if you plan to commit to selling junk cars, we recommend purchasing your own tow truck. It can save you a lot of time and money. You’ll be able to complete good deals instantly.
6. Don’t hand over the car without receiving payment
it’s essential to not hand over the junk car without receiving the full payment you agreed upon with the buyer. Some companies might try to scam you by telling you that they’ll mail you the money at a later date. Most reputable companies will pay you right after picking up the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does a Car Weigh?
The weight of the car depends on its type, size, and materials. Overall, older cars tend to be heavier than modern ones.
Small cars weigh around 2,500 pounds, while large ones can weigh up to 4,200 pounds. SUVs and trucks can weigh anywhere between 3,500 and 6,000 pounds.
Do You Need a Title to Scrap a Car?
Yes! You need a title to scrap a car, regardless of its condition or age. Junking any type of vehicle requires proof of ownership. After all, you can’t scrap a car that doesn’t belong to you!
Similar Tutorials to Check Out
Are you looking for other ideas to make money? Here are some similar tutorials you should check out:
- How to Sell Used Tires: you can make money selling used tires from junk cars!
- How to Sell Used Rims: rims are made from valuable materials, so many people buy and recycle rims.
- How to Sell a Car With a Loan: does your car have an active loan? Check out this tutorial to sell a car with a loan!
Wrapping Up
No matter how damaged the car is, you can still make some money selling it! Selling junk cars is a good business. However, many people wonder: how to sell junk cars?
First, you need to find the car’s value. Second, you have to remove the license plates and any personal items. It’s best to check if the car has any valuable parts or accessories, like speakers.
After that, you can compare the deals you received and choose the best one. Don’t forget to complete any necessary paperwork and turn in the license plates to the DMV.
We hope our guide helped you understand how to start your junk cars business! Feel free to tell us what you think in the comments section. If you like this tutorial, please share it with your friends!
