There are multiple reasons your trusted wheels are no longer so trusty. You may have been in a car accident that renders your car damaged beyond repair (i.e written off). Perhaps your car has been the victim of fire damage or flood damage or it has developed major mechanical or transmission issues which means it is on its last legs and far too pricey to repair. Your only solution is to sell your non-running car, as is, to recoup some cash.
No matter what state your car is in, there are some car enthusiasts who love restoring or rebuilding cars and they may love yours! (They generally have a garage or backyard full of old car parts). So the buyers of damaged vehicles are out there – you just need to find the option that will get you the best cash price and the most hassle-free experience when you sell your non-running car.
You have 3 alternatives when it comes to selling your unusable accident-damaged car:
#1 Sell it to a private buyer
You may consider selling your non-running vehicle privately. But because of the unfortunate reality of scam artists, dodgy buyers and lowball offers, this is generally not advisable. It is also complex when it comes to paperwork and arranging for your car to be towed etc. You will not only need to be super savvy as to what your car in its current state is worth but you will also need to advertise it online.
#2 Sell it to a scrapyard
Selling your totalled or accident-damaged car to a scrapyard dealer is definitely a viable option – although not the most lucrative one. A scrap yard dealer will pay you according to the weight of the scrap metal, not the actual value of the car’s parts. (You can expect to get between 12 and 20% of your vehicle’s current market price). A scrapyard dealer will also not give you a better price because of the model of the car or the technology used to make it. And you will still be responsible for adhering to the legal procedures for deregistering your car before you scrap it.
#3 Sell it to a reputable auto salvage dealer
Remember, your vehicle still has some value and you want to leverage that. Salvage car dealers are vehicle experts and they know the worth and value of the car and the demand for its working parts.
A reputable salvage car dealer will buy your car in any condition and pay you what it is worth. There are 2 ways you can sell your to a salvage or auto parts dealer: as it is (‘voetstoots’) or part by part. (Unlike scrap yards, these buyers will take into account the make and model of your car and the value of the parts in your car).
The convenience of replacing your non-running car with some cash is definitely a smart solution. And the added advantage is that the auto salvage dealer will tow your car for no charge, handle all the paperwork and offer you a competitive cash price.
