Selling your old car to a junkyard can be a good option if your vehicle is no longer in working condition or if repairs are too costly. Junkyards pay owners for their vehicles and then recycle or dismantle the parts. In this blog, we will cover 4 tips to help you get the most money when you want junkyard to buy my car.
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Inspect Your Car Thoroughly
Before contacting junkyards, take some time to thoroughly inspect your vehicle. Look under the hood and under the car to identify any parts that are still in good condition and could be resold such as the battery, alternator, starter, or other electrical components. Note things like the condition of the tires, engine, transmission, brake pads, as well as other major components like the doors, bumpers, mirrors as well as windows. Junkyards will pay more for cars with parts they can resell versus those that are completely worn out so it is worth your time to carefully examine each system as well as component. Make a detailed list of parts that seem salvageable so you can discuss pricing options with the junkyard as well as potentially get a better payout for your old vehicle.
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Get Written Estimates from Multiple Yards
Don’t just take the first offer you receive. Get written estimates from at least 3 local junkyards to see who will give you the best price for your junk cars for cash near me. Yards may value certain parts like engines or transmissions differently. Meeting with multiple buyers also creates a sense of competition that could result in a higher offer. Be sure to take your inspection notes with you so yards understand the potential resale value of parts on your vehicle. Having a few options allows you to negotiate the best deal for your used car. Do not settle for the first bid without shopping around to various local scrap yards for their pricing. This will help you maximize the money you can get for your old vehicle before recycling it.
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Negotiate the Price
Once you have multiple estimates in hand, you can begin negotiating with the yards. Mention higher offers from competing yards to see if they will match or beat those prices. Also negotiate on any parts you’ve identified as still being in good condition. Yards make the most money reselling parts, so highlighting what’s salvageable on your car helps your case. Be willing to walk away from low offers – your car is worth what someone is willing to pay.
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Schedule Pickup or Tow
Most junkyards will pick up vehicles from homes or provide towing. Ask about their process as well as any associated fees. Some include free towing with a minimum sale price while others charge a flat fee. Towing can easily cost a few hundred dollars, so factor that into your sale price negotiations. Schedule pickup or towing for a date shortly after the sale to avoid storage fees if your car sits on their lot.
Conclusion
With a little preparation as well as research, you can maximize the money you get for selling an old vehicle to a junkyard. Taking the time to thoroughly inspect your car and getting competitive offers lets you highlight value as well as negotiate the best price. Following these tips will help you get the most out of selling to a junkyard versus just abandoning your car.