Cars are amongst the most recycled products in the world. An estimated over 25 million tons of car material are recycled each year. This is not surprising if you consider the number of cars that are produced on a global scale each year, though. Statista estimates that 92 million cars were produced globally in 2019.
Even if you think that your car is totaled you can still get some money for it by selling it to a junkyard, and that brings us to the main topic of this article. How much should you expect to get from selling your junk car to a junkyard?
Things to Consider Before Selling
Before you sell your car to a junkyard there are a few questions that you should ask yourself. Does your car have more days in the garage than it does on the road? In other words, if you find yourself spending more time repairing your car than driving it then you should probably consider selling it.
The other question you should ask yourself is if the cost of repairing your car is almost the same amount as it would be to buy a new one. If that’s the case, it’s a safe bet that a lot of the vehicle’s other important parts are getting worn down. Remember, a vehicle that is unsafe to drive is a danger to yourself and others.
How Much Could You Expect to Get for Your Junk Car?
Once you’ve decided to dispose of your car, the next step is to find somebody who will buy it. Before doing so, get a quote from a few sources. Usually, junkyards will pay between $250-$500 for junk cars, but obviously those numbers are completely dependent on your vehicle’s condition.
With these numbers in mind, call a few junkyards and see what kind of offers they make.
How to Get the Best price for Your Junk Car
Selling your junk car is not just about calling up a salvage yard, rather it is about making the most out of the situation. For instance, honesty is key when it comes to getting the best price. Do not attempt to scam a salvage yard, as this may cost you more in the long run. What you can do, though, is take the time to learn how junkyards work.
For example, you should understand the salvageable parts of your junk car and how much they are worth. This includes the value of your automotive scrap metal.
How Do Junkyards Value Junk Cars?
There are a couple of factors that help junkyards decide how much they can pay for your junk car. This includes the following:
- The type of car and model
- The mileage on the car
- What year the car was manufactured
- Whether or not the car has been involved in an accident and, if it has, what type of accident it was
- Cars that have been involved in water and fire accidents are worth less
- The title of the car
- If the vehicle does not have a title, it will be worth less
- Whether or not the car can be towed
- The current condition of the car, including the body, interior, salvageable parts, mechanical condition, and tires and wheels
How to Find a Reputable Junkyard
Once you are confident that you need to sell your junk car and you know what kind of prices you should be looking for, start looking for a junkyard. There are many junkyards that can be found on the internet, but you must ensure that you are dealing with a reputable business. Find out how long the junkyard has been in business and what other customers are saying about them. Look into how the junkyard interacts with customers, and if they have a good reputation. For example, do they seem honest enough to notify you if they were to find a valuable that you forgot in your car?
