Scrapping a car is when you sell a vehicle that is no longer running for parts. It can also mean selling a vehicle for parts that has sustained so much damage that an insurance company determines it to be worthless. Many scrap yards will purchase a car that cannot be sold and sell off the parts that are still good.
If you have an old car that is just sitting around rusting and you are not going to fix it, selling it for scrap is an excellent way to get a little cash for it. You have many things to consider when deciding whether selling your car for scrap is the right choice for your situation.
Preparing to Scrap a Car
Before you scrap a car, you’ll need to do a few things. The first is to make sure you remove all your personal items and valuables. Make sure to remove any legal documents, such as the registration or insurance papers. Be sure to check the trunk, the dashboard, and under the seats. Over the years, items tend to accumulate in our vehicles, and we can end up with more than we expected.
Many scrap yards will pay more for a clean car they don’t have to remove things from than a cluttered one. Also, a car that looks like it is well-maintained will often bring a higher price, so clean it out and make it look as good as you can. Make sure to do this before you call the junkyard to come and get it.
The next thing you should do is remove any parts that are valuable and can be sold separately. This includes the battery, tires, rims, exhaust system, and bumpers. If you only have limited mechanical ability, then just removing the battery, tires, and rims might be enough. You should also consider removing the audio system, especially if you have an upgraded system. You can sometimes get a higher price for them when you sell them online, but this is only possible if you have the knowledge and tools to do it.
A scrap yard will be interested in parts of your car that include:
- Exhaust system
- Fenders
- Catalytic converters
- Doors and windows
- Bumpers
- Cooling system
- Airbags
- Audio system
- GPS system
- Body parts
Disconnect the Battery
Even if you are not going to remove the battery, you should at least disconnect it. To disconnect the battery, you will need a socket wrench that fits the battery terminals or an adjustable wrench before you start. Here are the steps for disconnecting and removing your battery.
- Turn off your vehicle and raise the hood.
- Locate the positive and negative terminals of the battery.
- If the positive terminal of the battery has a red cap, remove it.
- Use your socket wrench or adjustable wrench to loosen the nut that holds the cable onto the negative terminal.
- Remove the negative cable and lay it aside, making sure that it cannot touch the battery terminal.
- Next, use your wrench to loosen the nut on the positive terminal.
- Remove the end of the positive cable from the terminal and lay it aside.
- Locate the battery strap or frame that holds the battery in place, and remove it.
- Once all the straps and cables are free, lift the battery from the holding plate.
- Place the battery on a flat, dry surface away from the vehicle.
When lifting the battery, make sure to keep it level and do not slosh the battery acid. This can ruin the battery and cause a spill. The battery should be stored in a cool, dry location until it can be taken to a battery recycling location. You should not store your battery in a place where it could freeze. You can get a core value on your battery when you return it to an auto parts store or a battery recycler.
Removing Tires and Parts
You should also remove the tires and rims. The first thing you need to do is to make sure the car is off and you have the parking brake engaged. You can remove the tires by jacking the car up and loosening the lug nuts. To do this, you can use a tire iron, deep socket set, or special drill bit.
If the lug nuts are rusted and will not move, you can spray them with a lubricant, and let them soak for a few minutes. Once the lug nuts are off, you can rock the tire back and forth to help work it off. If the tire will not rock back and forth, you can tap it on the rim with a hammer to loosen any rust. Once the tire is off, you can either remove the rim yourself or take it to a place that sells used tires, and they can do it for you.
The final step you need to do before calling the junkyard to pick up your car, you need to call the insurance company and cancel it. You also need to cancel your registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. You should remove the license plates before the car is scrapped. In most cases, you can have them transferred to another vehicle.
Finding a Scrap Yard
Now, you have your vehicle prepared and your documentation together. It is time to research local scrap yards and begin calling them for information. The best way to compile a list of local scrap yards in your area is to search for terms like, “junkyard,” “scrap yard,” “car recycling near me,” and similar terms.
It is important to call for quotes from several scrap yards in your area. If you have removed the tires and battery from the car, be sure to tell them that it is “bare bones.” They will often give you a higher price if you do not remove these items yourself.
The scrap value of your car will depend on several factors. These factors include the make, model, and age of the vehicle. The overall weight of the vehicle will also come into play for the scrap metal value. The condition of the car and the condition of the parts will also determine how much you can get for your vehicle. Junk yards have different methods for valuing your vehicle, so be sure to ask about what is most important.
While you are calling around for quotes, be sure to ask the scrap yard about their policies and procedures. For instance, find out whether they will pick up the vehicle or whether you will have to arrange for this. Also, ask if there is a fee for having them pick it up. Some junk yards will not take cars that have the batteries and tires removed, so be sure to ask about the policies and procedures of the various scrap yards before making your selection.
Scrapping Your Car Without a Title
Many people believe that you cannot scrap a car without a title, but that is not true everywhere. Some states require a title before scrapping your car, but other states are more lenient. Almost all require a declaration of ownership or some other proof that you legally own the vehicle. Some states that allow scrapping a vehicle without a title include Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, California, Connecticut, and others.
Before searching for a scrap yard, you need to look up the requirements in your state for scrapping a vehicle. In some cases, you might have to come up with items, such as a bill of sale, registration, insurance documents, or other proof. Once you understand the laws in your state, you can start calling the various scrap yards to see if they will take your car without a title.
If you cannot find a scrap yard that will not accept your car without a title, you have several alternatives. The first is to contact your DMV to find out if you can get a duplicate registration by providing the vehicle’s VIN. One thing to be cautious of is scrap yards that will accept your car without a title if you live in a state that requires it. You could also disassemble the parts yourself and try to sell them online, but even this is questionable without a proper title.
Legal and Environmental Considerations
When you sell a car for scrap, you must make sure to do it in accordance with hazardous waste laws and regulations regarding the legal requirements and proof of ownership. Items such as motor oil, tires, batteries, brake fluid, radiator fluid, and other materials must be disposed of according to regulations in your state, county, and city.
You can call your local landfill or hazardous waste authority to find out more about the regulations in your local area. They might require certain packaging or transport requirements. In some cases, you might need to have these items removed by a facility that is equipped to do it in accordance with the law.
Some scrap yards prefer to remove these substances themselves. Scrapping your car and recycling the parts is an environmentally friendly thing to do, but not disposing of the hazardous waste properly can cause harm. That is why it is important to make sure these substances are handled properly.
Getting the Best Price for a Scrapped Car
Of course, you want to get the best price you can from a scrapped car. Scrap car prices fluctuate for several reasons. One of them is that the price of scrap metal fluctuates. Another is that certain makes and models of vehicles have a higher resale value, making it more economical to fix them. Supply and demand cycles for used cars and car parts also affect prices for scrapped cars.
One way to maximize the amount that you will get from your scrapped car is to make sure it is clean. Otherwise, you might get docked a cleaning fee. If you are a person who practically lives in your car, you might have more accumulated junk than you realize. Be thorough and check things like the CD player and underneath the seats for anything that you might have lost. It is also possible to take out some of the more valuable parts and sell them for more money.
Another thing that needs mentioning is avoiding scams and scammers. One thing to do is to make sure the salvage yard is licensed. Also, you will want to get several quotes and be suspicious of ones that are either too high or too low. Always get payment at the end of the sale, and always sell your car directly to the scrap yard and not the tow truck driver. Another suggestion is to always sell to a brick-and-mortar scrapyard. Internet referral companies will give you the lowest price possible and sell your car for more to a real scrap yard.
Some Final Things to Consider
Scrapping your car is an excellent solution when the car has no value or cannot be repaired. You will not get as much as if you sold it as a running used car, but at least it is a better option than letting it rust on your property. When you decide to scrap your car, you need to decide whether it is better to remove certain parts, like the battery and tires, or to leave them on. The best way is to make sure you understand the policies of the scrap yard you decide to use.
The most important thing to remember is to do your research before you commit to a particular scrap yard. It is not all about price. Make sure you are dealing with a professional. Call around for competitive pricing, but also make sure to ask about their policies or any additional fees you might incur. Selling your car to a professional junk car buyer is the easiest way to turn your junk car into money and get the best price, but be sure to call around to find one you can trust.
