Your eyes aren’t tricking you.
If you’re seeing plenty of older vehicles on U.S. roads, it’s because cars are more durable than ever and more expensive, too. Of course, that’s good news for car buyers (for dealerships, maybe not so much).
Still, it’s good to remember that cars don’t last forever. A typical vehicle has a life expectancy of eight years or 200,000 miles.
Now, if your vehicle has already passed that mark, you might wonder if it’s time to junk it. Read on as we discuss what owners need to do before junking a car so that you can get the most money for your scrap vehicle.
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- Remove Your Personal Stuff
The first rule of scrapping a car is to remove personal belongings, especially crucial documents (e.g., insurance cards) and valuable items like jewelry.
It’s not the junk yard’s responsibility to itemize your stuff and give them back to you. So before junking a car, be sure to check all storage areas and throw away all trash.
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- Get Your Paperwork in Order
Do you have a valid car title that will prove ownership? The problem with not having a title is you could incur liabilities even if the salvage yard has hauled your vehicle away.
However, some states don’t require a valid vehicle title once a car reaches a certain age. It’s best to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You might also want to ask your state’s DMV about specific laws for transferring a scrap car with or without a title.
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- Use Up the Gas
Getting terrible gas mileage is one of the signs you need a new car. It’s also a sign you should look into how to junk a car.
Before you call a junkyard, though, it’s best to use up the gas if your vehicle still runs. Another option is to siphon the gas out of the tank. However, manually siphoning gasoline can be dangerous, so call up a pro to do this.
You need to drain your car of fluids and gas because these become bad over time, making it harder for salvage yards to recycle. Some junkyards also offer higher car scrap prices for fluid- and gas-free vehicles.
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- Make Extra Money Junking a Car by Selling Valuable Parts
Your vehicle could have all the common car problems that besiege junkers, but its components could still be worth money.
You see, salvage yards don’t mind if you take out your car’s batteries, tires, MP3/CD players, special hoods, fenders, etc. Some older cars will also have rare parts that are in demand, so be sure to check your vehicle before you have it picked up to be junked.
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- Understand Your Options
Driving your car to a junkyard or having it picked up by a junk car removal service company aren’t your only options.
The great thing about these is you only need to do a simple online search to find the best company that suits your needs. For example, you can google “sell my car for cash,” and you’ll discover one that will take your vehicle regardless of its model, age, or condition.
Other options include donating your car or giving it to a loved one who won’t mind driving an older car.
Are You Ready to Junk Your Car?
Now that you know what to do before junking a car, do you already have a list of salvage yards?
If you’re still weighing your options, don’t worry. For more information on junking a car, feel free to browse our other posts.
