Isn’t that old clunker just lying on the front yard damaging your lawn?
Old cars are harmful to the environment and can be quite the eyesore. What you may not know is that even though it’s no longer roadworthy, it can undoubtedly fetch you some cash.
Regardless of how old or run down your car is, there are several options for getting rid of it and make something out of it. What’s left to do now is weigh these options and determine which one will work best for you depending on the condition of your car and how fast you want to get rid of it.
We have provided you with a complete guide on how to get rid of your junk car in the best way possible.
How to Get Rid of Your Car: Things to Consider
Do you want to get rid of your car fast, or are you willing to put in some work to get more money? Would you be willing to donate it and get a rewarding tax receipt? How about taking it apart and selling parts?
The answers to these questions will help you make up your mind about the best way to get rid of your junk car.
Selling the Car or Trading It In
Selling your junk car may not be the best option if you want to sell the car fast, but then again, the car may not be completely run down, making it worth a shot. You may follow certain steps to maximize the sale, and if you sell it yourself, you are likely to get a better price for it compared to trading it in or selling it to a dealer.
Check How Much the Car Is Worth
The first step of this option is checking how much the car is worth on the internet. Several websites can provide you with this information as long as you match the model of your car and its current condition. This will give you a rough estimate of the asking price or how much you should negotiate to get a fair price.
Get Your Paperwork in Order
The second order of things is to get your paperwork in order. Any buyer will certainly require paperwork, and you also need it for legal reasons. It would be a shame to get a willing buyer, only to cancel the sale because you have no paperwork, wouldn’t it?
As a general rule of thumb, you need to have the title, bill of sale, the release of liability, warranty information if it applies, and maintenance documents. You should also set your price by about 10% higher than what you want to leave space for haggling.
Carry Out Some General Maintenance
The third step is to wash and wax the car to attract better buyers and a possible higher price. Should you decide it’s worth it, some general maintenance will also go a long way, such as changing the oil and other types of fluids.
Feel free to ask a local mechanics to check it out and point out some of the things you could fix, then use those upgrades as selling points.
Advertise the Car Online
Once all that is done, advertise your car online and include pictures in your ads. The ad should not misleading because customers need to be well aware of what exactly they are getting. With a junk car, it’s always best to sell locally to cut down on transportation or shipping costs.
On that note, be wary of scammers as they are prevalent online, especially those that offer a price before viewing the vehicle. It’s advisable to meet potential buyers in a public place and assess them before leading them to your home. Should you decide to trade in the car, research different car dealerships, even buy here pay here car lots and see who offers the best price.
Donate the Junk Car
Depending on the condition of the car, you can donate it to a friend or a co-worker who currently needs a vehicle. If not, several charities out there operate programs that allow them to accept run-down cars. Some have underprivileged people that repair these cars then return them on the road while others dismantle the cars for parts.
The best part about this is that you’ll receive a tax receipt for the actual market value of that car. You can use the receipt as a contribution to your income tax preparation and possibly help someone in need, which is always welcome.
This process is much easier than selling the car yourself, and you may get rid of it much faster. You need to find a charity you want to donate to, determine the value of your car, then determine the amount of the write-off. Once that’s complete, call the charity and learn how to go about filling in a gift form and transferring the car title to them.
If the car is worth more than $500, you’ll need to fill out a Form 8283, and if it’s worth more than $5000, you’ll still need to fill out that form, but also do an independent appraisal. The charity will then arrange to pick up the vehicle and issue you a tax receipt.
Dismantle the Junk Car and Sell Parts
There is such a huge market for car parts right now that you will certainly fetch a hefty amount for what you may feel is junk. If you have a popular model, you’ll be in luck because you can get rid of everything from your window motors to your tires, rims, metal body panels, side mirrors, windshield, and other electronic components like the radio.
The power train is the most desirable part, especially if it’s still intact and could still work. Advertise the parts online and be responsive to interested customers. Once the engine and transmission are gone, you can get rid of the metal parts.
Sell Your Car to a Junk Removal Service
If you are simply not interested in all this trouble and want to get rid of your car fast, junk car removal services are the best option. The junk removal service will hand you cash in hand and tow away the vehicle from your property for free. This can be instantaneous, and you’ll free your lawn of that old clunker as soon as possible without having to touch it.
The trick here is to locate a reputable junk car removal service that will not try to deceive you. The good thing is that there are plenty of them, so finding one in your local area is not rocket science. Call in several of them to compare prices then pick the one that suits your needs best.
It’s not absolutely necessary to have your title in these sales because old and junk cars are usually crushed or taken apart for parts. If you do have the title, however, you can hand it over to the junk car service together with the vehicle. Even though you should not expect much money from it, you need to make sure they hand over the cash before towing off with the car.
Taking Things into Account
Getting rid of an old car is easy as long as you know what your options are. If you want to get rid of your car fast, then a junk removal service is a great option. If you want to trade it in, then look for a reputable buy here pay here car lot.
Now that you know how to get rid of your car fast, it’s time for you to make up your mind. Feel free to peruse our website for all things cars.