Did you know that auto recycling is the 16th largest industry in the U.S., contributing approximately $25 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) yearly? This means that you don’t have to throw away your old car since you can earn money from it.
You should take your car to the wreckers if it is too old, costs you more in repairs, or was totaled in an accident. However, you should arm yourself with the right tips to make decent money. The following are tips for getting the most out of your junk car.
1. Prepare Your Car
Perceived value is crucial in the recycling industry, and so you should not present a dirty car to the junkyard. A clean wrecked car is likely to have a higher perceived value and will make the work easier for the technicians. Therefore, clean your vehicle or take it to a professional car wash.
Another way to make work more manageable for the yard experts is to remove your personal items. This includes your documents, license plates, discs in the old CD player, and photos. Check every storage area to ensure you have removed all items.
2. Know the Wrecked Car’s Value
Your car may not have the same value you bought it at, but it is important to know its current value. You can use different online platforms to assess the value of your old vehicle. All you need is to key in your car’s details and current condition to get the value.
As you compare the prices at the scrapyards, ensure you use the price given by the analyst as a guide. This protects you from accepting an amount that is below your car’s worth.
3. Look at Different Junkyards
You need to compare several junkyards to choose one that works for you. The internal policies of a yard can determine the amount you make out of your junk car. Some use the model, make, or year to calculate the price, while some primarily look at its condition.
Therefore, choose a junkyard whose price policy will favor you. For example, if you had your new car totaled in an accident, you should work with a salvage yard that places more value in the car’s details. If your car is old and non-functional, choose wreckers that buy different junk cars for scrap.
4. Abide by the Laws
Lemon laws usually guide the auto recycling industry. Therefore, if you want to make more money out of your junk car, you should abide by them. Research and understand your state’s laws to avoid getting into legal issues that can cost you.
For example, if the buyer discovers a significant defect that you didn’t mention during the selling process, they can take you to court, leading to hefty fines. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the state’s lemon laws to ensure you sell a car that meets the quality standards.
5. Consider Selling Parts Separately
Most people with wrecked cars don’t know that they can make more money by selling various car parts separately.
You can remove valuable things such as the battery, stereo systems, newer tires, transmission, and electronic gears and sell them before junking the whole car. You should also research the prices of these parts to avoid charging low.
Selling old cars at the junkyard is a great way to make money from your junk car. At City Auto Wreckers, we offer top-notch services in Illinois. Thus, you should not throw your car away since we can help you make money from it. If you want to sell a wrecked car, contact us for more information.