If you have an old car sitting around in your garage or yard, you might be wondering what to do with it. This can create an eyesore and can result in unhappy neighbors who might complain. Some cities and localities have ordinances against keeping junk cars in your yard and will fine you if you do not get rid of them. But getting rid of a car that doesn’t run can be challenging.
Fortunately, you have a few options for what to do with a dead car that includes selling it for parts or donating it to charity.
Selling the Car
One option for getting rid of an old car is to try to find a buyer. If you have been searching for, “How do I sell a car that doesn’t run near me,” one of the options might be to find a private buyer. Finding a private buyer for a non-running car can be difficult. Before choosing this option, it is a good idea to get an estimate from a mechanic of what it will cost to fix the car.
Selling the car yourself means listing it in online marketplaces or classified ads. You then need to be ready to answer calls and respond to emails from buyers who might not know what to do with a broken car. You will need to post pictures and write a compelling description that will make buyers interested in your car, and since your car is not running, this might be difficult. You can expect to get a lot of offers wanting you to lower the price.
When selling your car yourself, the most likely buyers will be backyard mechanics who want to fix it up and drive it or resell it themselves. This is the most challenging and time-consuming method for getting rid of an old car because of the time and effort involved. Buyers who are equipped and willing to go through the hassle of fixing it may be few and far between.
Sell the Car for Parts
Another option is selling the car for parts. Even though it might not be running, it might still have other parts that are still good. You can call junk yards, repair shops, and places that advertise they take junk cars to see who will offer you the best price.
Selling the car for parts is an excellent solution to get rid of a car that doesn’t run. This can especially be the case for cars that are vintage, antique, or rare. In many cases, the parts are worth more if they are working, but in the antique car market, sometimes you can get quite a bit even from non-working parts. Just as with listing your car yourself in online marketplaces, you will have to deal with the hassle of placing the ads, and answering respondents.
You can find some online marketplaces for selling non-running cars. There is a clear need for cars that need to be repaired. If you have a car that holds its value, you can do even better in these marketplaces. In some cases, you can auction off the car to the highest bidder and recoup quite a bit of cash for your old junker. A car that has a good working engine, transmission, and other major components makes a good candidate for this option.
Fixing the Car, then Selling It
Of course, one option for getting rid of a car that doesn’t run is to fix it and sell it yourself. If this is an option you are considering, you would likely have done it by now, so selling that junk car for cash is probably the best option.
If your car has been sitting around rusting for some time, the next question you will probably ask is, how can I get rid of my car fast?
Donating the Car
The options already mentioned have one common disadvantage: they take a lot of time and effort on your part, and there is no guarantee that the car will sell even after all of that effort. Another option is donating the car to a charitable organization that accepts non-running cars. Many of these charities will come and pick up the vehicle at no charge to you.
Many of these organizations will fix the car and use it to help someone in need. Some of these organizations are on a national level, but you can probably find more in your area by calling local homeless shelters and churches. Here are a few suggestions for how to donate a car that doesn’t run and some organizations that might offer options that are easy.
- Vehicles for Veterans
- Habitat for Humanity
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- The Salvation Army
- Goodwill
- Canine Companions for Independence
You can visit the websites of these organizations for information about how the process works. Donating your car to a charity is a good way to help out the community by helping someone in need. What is junk to you, could be exactly what someone else needs to get out of a dire situation.
When you donate a non-running car to an organization that qualifies as a 501(c)(3), you can often take the value of the car as a tax deduction. It will count as a charitable gift. The most important factor is making sure you get a receipt from the organization that shows the value of the vehicle and that it clearly was a charitable gift.
One thing to consider is that you must itemize your deductions to take this write-off. Some organizations fix the vehicles, and others sell them for cash. If you donate to an organization that sells it, you will receive a Form 1098-C once the organization sells your vehicle. You can find out more from IRS Publication 4303, “A Donor’s Guide to Vehicle Donations.”
Scrapping the Car
What to do with a car with a blown engine? One option is to sell it to a junkyard. A scrap yard will look at your car differently than many of the other options on this list. They will see your car as individual parts and how much they can get from them. Sometimes, you can find a recycling company that will give you the value of the metal in your car.
One thing to be aware of if you sell your car for scrap metal is that metal prices fluctuate, and you might want to time the sale to get your best price. Selling the car to a junkyard means more stable pricing. One factor that influences the price you will get from a junkyard is the popularity and age of your car. For instance, if you have a popular car that is just over five years old, a lot of people will be looking for used parts, making it worth more. The condition of the car and its parts will also determine how much you get for your junk car.
When scrapping a car and selling it to a junkyard, you might have to pay a disposal fee for hazardous waste. Your car contains chemical substances, such as oil, radiator fluid, and tires that are considered hazardous waste. The junkyard might have to pay to dispose of these items, and they will pass on their fee for doing so to you. Usually, they will just deduct the fee from the price they offer you.
Some scrap yards will also charge a fee for picking up your vehicle and towing it. There might be other fees, too, so be sure to ask when you contact them. The best way to find out who has the best price and the fees that will be involved is to start calling scrap yards and companies that offer to buy junk cars for cash in your area.
Trade-In Option
When it is time for a new car, one option is to sell your old car to the dealership as a trade-in. The price you get will be taken directly off the price of your new car. This can reduce the amount financed and the payments.
This is also convenient because you can do all the paperwork at the same time you purchase your new car. If you have a car that is running and an old junker sitting at home that is not running, you might be able to get a little extra for the non-running car as a trade-in, too.
Some dealers are willing to tow a non-running car to their dealership. This way, you can use it as a trade-in for a new vehicle, but not all offer this option if the car is not running. In some cases, the cost of towing will be deducted from the trade-in offer. This might be an option for a car that has a high resale value and only a few minor repairs need to be made. One of the challenges might be finding a dealership that takes non-running vehicles, so you will need to call around.
The trade-in value at a dealership is valued differently from a donation to a charity or a junkyard. The dealer will consider what they can get for the vehicle if they fix it up and put it on their lot as a used car. In some cases, dealerships will not take cars that are over six years old, have high mileage, need a major repair, or have significant cosmetic damage. However, if you have a lower mileage car that is newer, then this might be your best option.
You need to consider several things before going for a trade-in. The first is the age and condition of the car you wish to trade in. You also need to do your research and know the value of your car before talking to the finance department. If you know how much your car is worth, then you will be able to better negotiate a fair deal. Kelley Blue Book sets the standard for used car valuation, and this is a good place to start before you begin talking to a dealership.
Making the Final Decision
You have a lot of things to consider when deciding what to do with a damaged car that is not worth fixing. Selling your car to a scrapyard, selling it online, or selling it for parts all require considerable time and effort to get the best price. Calling a mechanic who buys cars that don’t run also takes many phone calls and time to get the best deal.
Now, you know a few ways you can get rid of that old junker that is sitting around rusting and turn it into cash. Many people are surprised at how many options they have for getting rid of a car that doesn’t run. Some of the main considerations are the age and value of the car. You will also need to know how much it will cost to get it running again before you begin. Regardless of the option you choose, knowing approximately how much your car is worth when you begin searching will help you get the best deal.
The best advice before beginning this process is to do your research before making a decision. Even if you want to sell your car fast, making a few phone calls before you begin will ensure that you get the best price, and you will not have to contend with extensive fees.
Selling your car to a dealership as a trade-in or a company that deals in junk cars are your most hassle-free options, and they are more likely to give you a better price than dealing with fielding phone calls from non-interested buyers, people who want to talk you down in price and making arrangements for towing. The most important piece of advice is to explore your options thoroughly before making your decision.
