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Your old car, Old Bessie, is on its last legs. It’s not running well because the suspension is in bad shape, and the head gasket is busted. Even though it gave you 200,000 miles of good service, it’s finally given up.
Now, what do you do? Well, the mechanic says fixing it would cost more than what the car was worth before it broke. Even if you’re good with car repairs, the parts you need are expensive and hard to find, and you have better things to do. Just getting it towed away and scrapped is pricey.
To make things trickier, your neighbors don’t like seeing it sit in your driveway for so long, and you think someone might still pay a bit of money for it. So, how can you get some cash for your old car before saying goodbye for good?Your old car, Old Bessie, is on its last legs. It’s not running well because the suspension is in bad shape, and the head gasket is busted. Even though it gave you 200,000 miles of good service, it’s finally given up.
Challenges of Getting Rid of a Broken Down Car
If you decide not to fix your broken-down vehicle, the challenge is to find a way to get rid of it. This can be especially tricky if the car isn’t running and if you still have an outstanding loan on it.
When you finance a car, especially a used one with a long payment plan, there’s a possibility that your car might break down before you’ve paid it off.
In such a situation, if your car breaks down before you’ve finished making payments, you have two choices: come up with the money to get it fixed and continue using it, or sell it in its current state. Unfortunately, since the car isn’t running, you might have to sell it for less than what you owe.
Selling it to a dealership can be tough when your car is in this condition. Most dealerships won’t accept non-working cars as trade-ins, and if they do, they won’t offer much for it.
Here are a few options for selling your broken-down car:
Try selling it privately as-is online through platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. There’s a chance someone might be looking for a car like yours, but be prepared for this process to take weeks, months, or even longer, and you’ll need to meet potential buyers.
- Check if any local dealerships accept non-working cars as trade-ins. However, you might have to contact many dealerships since most prefer cars that are in running condition.
- Consider selling it to a junkyard or scrap yard. If you go this route, they will typically pay you only for the parts they believe they can resell, and the payment is often minimal, with some room for negotiation.
- Sell the car in parts – essentially, disassemble your car and sell its components individually. This method can potentially bring in more money, but it requires a significant amount of time and effort.
- Sell your car as-is for cash and quickly put the problem behind you.
It’s worth exploring the above options, but if you need a swift solution, your next step is to request a free quote from a company that buys cars or “clunkers” in any condition, whether they’re working or not.
Steps : Selling A Broken Car
Assess Your Broken-Down Car
Before you start the process of selling your broken car, it’s crucial to assess its condition. Ask yourself some basic questions:
- Is the car repairable, or is it beyond the point of no return?
- What is the extent of the damage, and is it financially viable to repair it?
- Are there any valuable parts in the vehicle that can be salvaged?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you determine the best course of action for your broken car.
Gather The Proper Documents
Once you’ve assessed your car’s condition and decided to sell it, you’ll need to gather the necessary paperwork. These documents typically include:
- Title: Make sure you have the title of the vehicle in your name. If it’s lost, contact your local DMV to obtain a duplicate.
- Maintenance and Repair Records: Having these records can increase the car’s value and give potential buyers confidence in its history.
- Bill of Sale: This document will protect both you and the buyer by detailing the terms of the sale.
Get Quotes From Potential Buyers
There are different types of potential buyers for your car, and we’ll categorize them into three main groups: instant cash offer (through online companies), dealer sale, and private sale.
Instant Cash Offer:
Getting an instant cash offer for your car is a straightforward process with various online car inventory companies. You start by providing some basic information about your car on their website, and they quickly calculate the car’s value, presenting a cash offer. If you accept their offer, they’ll send a local appraiser to inspect the car. Based on their evaluation, the appraiser might adjust the offer up or down, but assuming everything goes smoothly, you’ll receive immediate payment. An added bonus is that they’ll take the car away from your driveway, removing that headache for you.
Dealer Sale:
Another option is to reach out to local car dealerships and used car lots. You explain that you have a non-working car for sale, and they’ll send someone to assess the car and make an offer. They can pay in cash, but their offer might be in the form of a dollar amount that you can use as credit toward a new car purchase from their dealership. In some cases, the credit offer might be more attractive because it encourages further business with them. If you’re planning to buy a new car, a trade-in could be the most efficient way to part with your old car and acquire a new one. Additionally, these companies often have the capacity to tow your non-working car away directly from your driveway.
Private Sale:
Beyond dealing with used car dealers, you can also approach other businesses and private individuals as potential buyers. These buyers could include scrap companies, junkyard owners (who profit by selling individual car parts), car restorers, or hobby mechanics looking to repair the car and resell it. To attract local individuals and businesses, you might need to place an ad for the car in a local publication. If you agree to a sale, follow the guidelines for a private sale, which involve making sure the buyer arranges for towing. However, they might ask for the towing cost to be factored into the final price.
Get Familiar with Salvage Vehicle Rules
Your car’s condition, as well as the specific regulations in your state, may categorize it as a “salvage” or “distressed” vehicle. To understand the rules governing salvage vehicles, check your state’s DMV website. It’s crucial to also have a conversation with your insurance company about this, as it can influence their decision to continue covering your car.
Don’t Forget Your Personal Belongings
In the rush to sell your broken car, it’s easy to overlook personal belongings that might still be inside. Before handing over the keys, be sure to check every nook and cranny for any items you might have left behind. This includes important documents, spare keys, or sentimental belongings.
The Easiest Way To Sell Broken Cars For Fast Cash
Don’t bother with haggling or becoming a car expert. Start selling your car at YourCarIntoCash. Use our online tool to know your car’s value in just 90 seconds. No strings attached, and you can compare offers. If you get a better one, let us know, and we might raise our offer.
Once we agree on a fair price, we’ll tow your car for free and pay you right away. YourCarIntoCash is all about getting you quick cash for your car, no matter how it looks.
Selling your broken car for cash doesn’t have to be a hassle. Visit YourCarIntoCash.com to sell your car without leaving your home or office!
