Located in Union County New Jersey, Elizabeth is a historic town that was once the home of Alexander Hamilton. A number of years ago, it was voted as one of the greenest cities in the United States and the greenest in New Jersey, suggesting that it knows a thing or two when it comes to recycling.
In this guide, we'll take a closer look at its stance on auto recycling by highlighting the best auto salvage yards for getting rid of used cars.
The Best Junk Car Buyers in Elizabeth, NJ
The following junkyards and car removal services are all based in Elizabeth New Jersey and offer a range of services, including free quotes, instant offers, free towing, and more.
We have done some basic research on these services but can't guarantee the legitimacy of all of them. It's important, therefore, to ask around, get multiple quotes, and check reviews and testimonials if you're not sure.
- NJ Junk Auto – (908) 300-3150:Promises to buy damaged cars, old cars, and cars with high mileage. It has a list of makes that it purchases, suggesting that it doesn't take all models, but most major American cars are on the list.
- Best Junk Car Removal – (908) 219-9550: Serves Elizabeth and several nearby areas, offering to buy used cars and remove junk cars.
- Salermo and Sons – (908) 352-2291: Provides a number of auto services, including auto parts, repair, and junk car removal. They promise to buy cars, trucks, bikes, and more, and offer free towing on junk car sales.
- Junk Car King – (908 485-4850): Offers same-day junk car removal for customers in Elizabeth NJ.
- The Clunker Junker - (888) 383-4181: A leading national junk car removal service that operates throughout New Jersey and many other states. They will arrange for a free pickup and promise top dollar for your vehicle, claiming to pay up to $11,800 for some junk vehicles in Elizabeth, NJ.
What You Need to Know Before you Junk Your Car in Elizabeth, New Jersey
Before you sell your junk car in Elizabeth, New Jersey, you will need to know a few things. So, take a look at the following information to ensure you are adequately prepared:
Lower Your Expectations
If you paid a few thousand dollars for your vehicle a few years ago, and believe that it’s in relatively good condition, you might be surprised at just how low the junkyard offer is. You have to go into this process with low expectations, especially if you’re scrapping for the first time and expecting prices akin to what you would get from a dealer or private buyer.
They’re not buying your car to resell it at a marked-up price. It’s not something they will use to hasten their commute or go on a cross-country road trip. It’s scrap, which means they’re going to strip it for parts.
If a diamond and gold engagement ring sells for $20,000, its value is based on the craftsmanship, along with the mark-up added to the piece as it goes from the manufacturer to the retailer. If you buy it and resell it privately, you might get around $18,000. But if you sell it for scrap, the buyer only cares about the gold and the diamond, and so they may only offer $1,000.
It’s the same with a scrap car. They don’t care if it looks nice, is only 7 years old, and would be fine with a nice engine and some exterior work. What they care about is how much they can get for the spare parts and the metal, and it’s rarely as much as the seller expects.
Consider Selling Privately
Because of what we mentioned above, you will always get more for an operational car if you sell it privately. You’re cutting out the middleman, but more importantly, you’re getting value based on the operational aspects of the vehicle and the fact that it only needs a few minor repairs.
Thanks to sites like Autotrader and Craigslist, it has never been easier to sell your vehicle in this manner.
Gather Information
To hasten the process of acquiring a quote, make sure you have all of the necessary information to hand, including details of the make and model, as well as any damage to the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
If you don’t have the title, you will also need proof of ID and a matching registration, as these are required by law.
Change your Insurance
Once the sale has been completed, you may need to notify your auto insurance company. They will need to switch the insurance to your new vehicle or cancel it completely.
Watch out for Scams
Scams are pretty rare in this industry, but it’s not uncommon for junkyards to underpay you. Some of them may even quote you one price and then offer a completely different one when the tow truck shows up.
If this happens, just refuse the money, remind them of the amount that was agreed upon, and stand your ground. If they insist that they will leave and take their money with them, so be it. You can always go elsewhere.
Of course, this only applies if you were honest about the vehicle and didn’t try to hide anything from them.