Let’s say you have an old car that you need to get rid of. While donating your car is an option, you can still sell the parts, but how do you go about this in the most profitable way?
Why Sell Your Car for Parts?
If your car is in mint condition, which it probably isn’t, you will be able to sell it whole for a good price. If this is not the case, breaking it down for parts may help you get more money, as you will be able to sell each part separately. This is when you might consider junking the car and selling it to a scrap yard.
Determine Which of Your Car’s Parts are the Most Valuable
The first thing to do is to strip the car and find all the parts that are valuable. This is a long and tedious process, but it’s definitely worth every effort in the end.
You will need adequate tools and expertise to do this. If you cannot do it on our own, allow a professional to do it. They charge about $80 per hour, so remember to factor in this cost when pricing the parts.
The engine and transmission are the most in-demand parts of any car. If these are still intact, consider yourself halfway there. If you can get good prices for these, you can decide to sell the rest to a junkyard at a throw away price.
Other parts, such as a rolling car chassis, may not move as quickly and it could take months to find a buyer for them.
Car Parts that are Particularly Easy to Sell
Once you have taken the car apart and are looking at all its usable pieces, categorize them into fast–moving and slow–moving parts. Some fast–moving parts, which are parts that can be easily sold within the first couple of weeks or months, are as follows:
- Engines
- Tires and rims
- Transmissions
- Exhaust systems
- Air bags
- Seats
Car Parts that are Not Particularly Easy to Sell
These other parts can still be sold, but they may take some extra time. They include the following:
- Suspensions parts
- Vehicle chassis
- Electrical wiring
If these parts do not move in a couple of months, consider selling them with the remainder of the car to a junkyard.
Can I Sell My Car for Parts Online?
You can easily sell your car parts online. Remember to factor in shipping costs if you choose to go this route, though. Start with local automotive websites to minimize shipping costs., but also consider selling your car parts online on Craigslist, Amazon, or eBay.
How to Get a Good Price for Your Old Car Parts
Before settling on a price for your car parts, carry out extensive research that considers the make, model, and the year of your car. Also, compare prices across different states, as they usually vary based on a state’s individual demand.
You can also use sites that offer used car parts to see how much they’re being sold for. Take good pictures of the parts at different angles and make sure they’re clean. Post the car parts on multiple websites and, when possible, do what you need to do to get them to show up high in search rankings.
Conclusion
Selling your old car parts is not difficult if you know what you are doing. If you have the patience and are willing to put in the work, you can get a good price.
