Published on November 3rd, 2023
With an abundance of shiny, slightly used cars for sale, selling one that isn’t so pretty could prove to be more of a challenge.
Older vehicles with high mileage and those that look great but are hiding costly repairs aren’t as easy to sell.
Fortunately, there are buyers for these types of vehicles, but you’ll need to know where to find buyers for them.
If you’re currently dealing with this dilemma, keep on reading.
What Defines A Junk Car?
Some junk cars are completely obvious.
They’re typically beat up, have high mileage, and lots of required repairs.
They’re exactly what you’d expect them to be: the back-firing jalopy with more dents than smooth surfaces that look like it should be resting peacefully in a junkyard.
However, there are an equal number of them that look just fine, but appearances can be deceiving.
Junk cars will have one or more of the following characteristics:
- They were built well over ten years ago
- They have excessive mileage
- They require repairs that are 50% or more of the vehicle’s value
To determine if your car’s repairs far outweigh its value, you can find its worth by using one of the many online car value calculators.
How To Sell A Junk Car For Cash
No matter the reason your junk car is considered a junk car, you should know that they’re always more difficult to sell than used cars without any of the earmarks of junk ones.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re unsellable or worthless.
There are ways to get cash for a junk car if you know how to do so.
Here are some things to consider when trying to sell yours.
Online Sales
Simply because your car is labeled as junk doesn’t mean that a private buyer won’t be interested in it.
There are scores of DIYers and backyard mechanics who are looking for junk vehicles either to tinker with or to scavenge for parts.
Although interest may be low, if you’re not in a great hurry to sell yours, try posting it on any of the popular online selling platforms.
Just be sure your post includes any damages it may have and any repairs it may need.
Take It To A Junkyard
Most junkyards will buy junk cars and pay out what their weight is worth in usable parts and whatever scrap metals they can harvest.
Not all junkyards will accept junk cars and not all of them will offer free towing, so be sure to inquire before you’ve made the decision to unload yours with this method.
You won’t get top dollar for your wreck, but this is a viable way of getting some cash for your car, and you’ll know that it wasn’t simply tossed into a landfill.
Sell It To A Specialized Junk Car Dealer
For sheer convenience and profit, the best method for disposing of a junk car is to sell it to a specialized junk car dealer.
You can sell your junk car for cash in Irvine, CA.
Eliminate the hassles of paperwork, meeting with strangers, and being low-balled by junkyards.
Unburden yourself of that hunk of junk by contacting a specialized junk car dealer.
These businesses will purchase any type of car despite needing costly repairs, having excessive mileage, or whether they’re running or not.
They’ll offer much more than a junkyard, and they’ll come directly to you.
This is the easiest way to get cash for a difficult-to-sell vehicle.
Donate It To A Charity
Several non-profit organizations accept junk cars.
While you won’t get an immediate cash payout, once the charity sells your wreck, they’ll send you a document that you can use as proof of a charitable donation to lower your tax burden.
It’s important to first check if the charity you’ve chosen qualifies as a tax-exempt organization.
If your endgame is a tax write-off, before you hand over the vehicle’s title and keys, check to determine if they’re a legitimate charity.
Some will present themselves as such even when they don’t meet the requirements.
Other Considerations
Sometimes the sum of a junk car’s parts is more valuable than selling it as a whole.
If you’re the handy type and know your way around the mechanics of a vehicle, why not consider selling off its usable parts yourself? Components like stereos and sound systems can be easily dismantled and resold.
Catalytic converters are a much sought-after car part, so much so that thieves will attempt to steal them.
You can get a pretty penny for this part and then scrap the car to a junkyard.
Bottom Line: Selling A Junk Car In Irvine
Just because a car is junk doesn’t mean it’s not worth anything.
Some try to unload them by posting on social media, while others will accept pennies on the dollar at their local junkyard.
Donating them to charity can give you warm fuzzies while providing the means for a future tax write-off.
Selling junk cars can be made easy and profitable by finding a business that specifically buys them.
No matter the condition of the car, these businesses pay a high amount and provide free hauling services.
If you’re struggling to sell your car, consider reaching out to a junk car dealer for assistance.
Feature Image Source: Nikolai Justesen
