Back in the day, your car was your reliable partner for getting you anywhere you want to be. A few years, later, your car is ready to retire. For some, making the decision to junk your car is relieving, but you get to upgrade and find something better. For others, it’s not always an easy decision. Either way, you’ll want to go for an easy way to get rid of your junk car.
What will you do next with your junk car? Sure you can post it online for sale or set it out near the road with a big “For Sale” sign. There are many great local and national companies that will buy and pick up your old junk car quickly and for free.
Here’s a step-by-step guide of the easiest way you can get rid of your junk cars without the hassle.
Clean Out Your Junk Cars
Start by emptying your junk car, clear all your personal belongings before you start the posting process. No, you don’t have to haul out the vacuum and window cleaner, we’ll keep this clean up simple. Gather the important information you keep in the glove box or in any other safe compartments in your car. Insurance cards, registration papers, and anything else with your personal information should be removed first to keep you safe from fraud or identity theft. Keep your junk car’s title in a safe place as it will be needed when you sell your car.
Also check your center console, back seats, and trunk. This includes miscellaneous items to uninstalling any custom accessories you may have in your car.
Get Your Car’s Important Information
There are a lot of necessary information buyers, sellers, and dealers need. So before you start posting your junk car for sale grab a pen and paper, or your smartphone, to note down the details of your car.
Starting with the make and model of the car if you’re unsure, there’s usually a car manual in the glove compartment or info on the side of the door frame. This will determine a fair starting price.
Did your junk car experienced an accident or have any body damage? Record all damages including flat tires, dents, broken lights/mirrors, and any other scratches you notice.
Researching Your Car’s Worth
Now that your junk car is emptied and all important information is recorded, you’re ready to set a price and post your junk car on the market.
There are loads of people and businesses ready to buy your junk car. Start the selling off at a reasonable price. Other than make, model, year, and overall condition of your car, the individual parts such as accessories or new parts can increase your junk car’s worth.
If you’re unsure about the cost, find out other cost factors to help you get the most for your junk car, running or not.
What to Avoid When Selling Your Junk Car
Once you have a fair price in mind, don’t feel pressured by buyers to lower the cost of your junk car again. There are many businesses that will find value in your junk car. And if you’re in a hurry to get rid of your junk car, lowering the price a little will help speed up the selling process.
Selling privately can also put you at risk for scammers, lawsuits due to misinformation on the car, and buyers with goals to give lowball offers and waste your time too.
Stick to professionals whose job is to get you the most money for your car as well as get out of your hair as soon as possible.
Choosing the Right Buyer
Look into both local and national companies. Your goal must be to get at least 2 or more bids on your junk car and not go with the first bid you get.
A company may be offering you a high bid but refuse to tow your junk car which costs you time and money to find someone to tow it. Towing is free with most companies, if it’s not, find another buyer.
The Sale
Once you’ve found the perfect buyer who is giving you a heck of a deal and towing your junk car at your convenience. No matter how great the buyer appears, keep these few things in mind before completing the sale.
Once you both agreed upon a price prior to the time of pick up and now the buyer is bargaining a lower price than what was agreed, do not budge and find someone else. If the buyer honors the agreed-upon price, doesn’t substitute vouchers, pay cash or check in hand, and is ready to tow your junk car, then you’re good to go!