Many car owners often wonder what to do with a car that no longer runs. Can you really sell such a car? After all, a car that does not run is one that will neither start nor drive due to a mechanical issue or any form of damage.
Fortunately, it is possible to sell a car that doesn’t run, and even get some money that you can use for a down payment on a new car in the process. However, you should know how to go about this in the best way to avoid getting scammed or being paid a poor price.
Here are some of the most important things you should think about when trying to sell a non-running car.
Find Your Car’s Fair Market Value
The first thing that you need to do is find the car’s fair market value. Some car dealerships will freely give you a quote without charging you anything, but it is best to get quotes from multiple dealerships and compare them.
Be wary of dealerships that offer a very low price that is below the average offered by other dealerships. In the same vein, be wary when the deal is too good, as it could foreshadow a scam.
Should You Repair a Non-Running Car Before Selling it?
If you get poor quotes from car dealerships, you may be tempted to do some repairs on the car to increase its value. Although this is not inherently a bad idea, do some math first.
Get an estimate on how much the repairs are going to cost and compare this with the extra value that you will be adding to the car. Also, consider the extent of the damage. For example, a blown motor or bad transmission may be too costly to fix.
In this case, it may be cheaper to sell the car as it is and have the dealership sell the car’s functional parts.
Will a Junkyard Buy a Car that Does not Run?
Most car junkyards will have no problem buying a car that doesn’t run. Depending on the state of the car, the junkyard may choose to fix it or sell its individual parts.
Before a junkyard buys a car that doesn’t run, they will conduct a visual inspection on the car. They will also run reports and ask to see the car’s records, including maintenance history.
Will a Dealership Buy a Car that Does not Run?
Car dealerships, on the other hand, are more interested in buying cars that are used but can move from point A to B. In other words, they may not be as eager to buy a car that cannot run.
If you’re looking to sell to a dealership, consider making necessary repairs before doing so.
Can You Trade in a Car that Does not Run?
Trading in a car that doesn’t run can be tricky. Regardless, some car junkyards may allow you to trade your non-running car in either for parts or for a vehicle of comparable value. That being said, keep in mind that they could ask you for a payment to cover the expenses of repairing the car.
What is the Value of a Non-Running Car?
The value of your non-running car will be determined by the nature and extent of its damage. Usually, car dealerships or junkyards will value your car based on the resale value of the part that are salvageable.
To minimize their risk, they may give you a lower price than the fair market value. Therefore, always get an estimate from an independent party that you can compare with the quotes you’ve already received.
