Selling a Junk Car That Does Not Run
Junk vehicles are not required to be operable in order to be sold. Selling a junk car that doesn’t run may seem complicated, but it is actually a rather easy, profitable task. With the correct documents and thorough research, you can find an array of junk car buyers in your area that are willing to pay cash for your inoperable vehicle. Below, you’ll find all the steps you need to sell your junk car that doesn’t run, along with some helpful tips that will serve you well during the selling process.
How to sell a junk car that doesn’t run
Selling a junk car that doesn’t run is pretty similar to junking an operable vehicle. The process requires you to prepare yourself for the task at hand, which includes gathering all the necessary paperwork for a legal sale and marking a shortlist of junk car buyers in your area. Once you’ve done your pre-sales homework, you can move on to accepting the best offer for your junk vehicle and arranging for a quick, free pick-up and cash payment.
By following the brief step-by-step checklist below, you’ll be able to sell that old, rusting vehicle in your garage for the highest rate and with the least amount of stress.
9 steps on how to sell a junk car that doesn’t run
Here are 9 steps to selling your junk car that doesn’t run.
1. Prepare yourself for the process of selling a junk car that doesn’t run
Selling an inoperable junk vehicle takes some thought and preparation. Before beginning the junk vehicle sales process, make sure you have all the necessary documents available for a legal sale. This paperwork includes proof of ownership documents. The vehicle title is traditionally the best form of proof of ownership, but other ownership verification paperwork can be the bill of sale, vehicle registration, and/or a valid driver’s license.
The condition of your junk vehicle must be documented and reported to any potential junk car buyers. Selling a junk car that doesn’t run means that there are vital parts – such as the engine or transmission – that is either malfunctioning or missing altogether. The quality of these essential parts affects the price quotes you are offered. Since the junk car you are selling doesn’t run, it is not profitable to replace any damaged or missing parts.
Another important pre-sales task is to establish a means of delivering your junk vehicle or securing a junk car buyer that is willing to remove the vehicle from your premises for free. The most profitable option when selling an inoperable junk vehicle is to commit to a buyer that is willing to pick up the vehicle at no cost to you. This is all part of the process to prepare yourself to sell your junk car.
2. Get a replacement title if possible
Selling a junk car that doesn’t run requires furnishing proof of ownership. Proof of ownership is usually verified by providing the vehicle title, which must be transferred to the junk car buyer at the time of sale. Those who do not have the original vehicle title must obtain a replacement title by submitting an application with their local Department of Motor Vehicles. Duplicate or replacement title applications require a submission fee, which can be paid either online or in person at your local DMV.
3. Gather all necessary paperwork
Junk car sales require certain documents to make a legal sale. This paperwork can include the vehicle title, car registration, driver’s license, or bill of sale. It is best to have multiple copies of these documents if possible. For most junk car sales, the vehicle title can serve as your sole proof of ownership document. Providing items such as the vehicle registration or the bill of sale is only necessary when the vehicle title cannot be obtained.
4. Research junk car buyers in your area
Now that you have your paperwork organized, you can begin researching local junk car buyers. Junk car buyers come in multiple forms, ranging from individuals and non-profit organizations to recycling facilities and junkyards. Once you have found junk car buyers in your area, make a shortlist of at least five reputable junk car buyers to contact. Having multiple buyers lined up is crucial – it leaves room for a potential bidding war and allows for contingencies if the original sale falls through.
5. Get offers from junk car buyers
After narrowing down a few reliable junk car buyers, you should reach out and solicit offers from them. Only interact with junk car buyers that are willing to give you a quick price quote so you can adequately weigh your offers in a timely manner.
This is the time to give junk car buyers all the necessary information about the vehicle – in this instance, make it a point to notify the buyers that the vehicle does not run. It is illegal to mislead junk car buyers as to the condition of your inoperable vehicle.
6. Compare your offers
With all your price quotes from potential junk car buyers at hand, compare the offers. Remember, it is important to choose a buyer that is willing to pick up and remove the junk vehicle for you. Choose the offer that will give you the most money for your vehicle and doesn’t burden you will the removal costs.
7. Select an offer to sell a junk car that doesn’t run
Once the best offer is chosen, reach out to the junk car buyer and confirm the sale. At this time, you should be solidifying the finer details of the sale. This includes agreeing on a form of payment – cash, check, or digital transfer – and the date of payment. It is a good idea to request payment upon pick up of the junk vehicle.
8. Schedule a time to drop off the vehicle or have it removed
Junk car buyers and sellers should work together to decide whether the vehicle will be delivered or picked up by the buyer. Ideally, the junk car buyer with remove the vehicle free of charge from the junk car seller’s premises. In this case, ensure the junk vehicle is in an accessible location so your buyer doesn’t have to struggle with the junk car removal process.
9. Complete the sale of your junk car that doesn’t run
Now that an offer has been accepted and all the details are ironed out, the last thing you must do is receive cash upon pick up of your junk vehicle. On the day of removal or delivery, double-check to make sure all the proper paperwork has been exchanged and that payment has been successfully made. Remove all personal items and license plates from the vehicle before pick up or delivery.
What is needed to sell a junk car that doesn’t run?
To sell a junk car that doesn’t run you need proof of ownership documents. These documents are required because you cannot sell a car that does not legally belong to you. As long as you have the vehicle title, registration, or bill of sale, you will be able to sell your inoperable junk vehicle.
Can I sell my junk car that doesn’t run with no title?
Yes, you can sell your junk car that doesn’t run with no title. Vehicle registration and a valid driver’s license, or another form of proof of ownership are required if you do not have access to the vehicle title.
Should I sell my junk car that doesn’t run online or in person?
It is possible to sell your junk car that doesn’t run both online and in person. The best, most financially sound decision is to sell your junk vehicle online. It requires much less effort, and you are able to reach a larger audience of car buyers online than you are able to with daily in-person visits.
Junk Car Medics is the perfect online resource to sell your junk car that doesn’t run. We take care of all the difficult aspects of selling a junk car, such as leveraging buyers and removing your vehicle. In-person junk car sales can’t beat the convenience of selling your car online with Junk Car Medics.
Should I sell a junk car that doesn’t run to a junkyard or a private buyer?
Selling a junk car that doesn’t run to a junkyard or private buyer may offer similar results, but you will most likely receive the best offers from private buyers. Private buyers tend to be more motivated to negotiate, as the buying process is sentimental in some ways. A junk vehicle sale that appeals on a personal level to a private buyer tends to yield a higher offer than a vehicle sale to a junkyard or scrapyard that will only use the car for parts.
Who buys junk cars that don’t run?
Plenty of people and businesses want to buy your junk vehicle, even if it doesn’t run. Scrapyards and junkyards, private buyers, recycling facilities, auction houses, and charities are just a few examples of potential junk vehicle buyers. There are at least 5-10 junk car buyers in your area who are willing to take your inoperable junk vehicle off of your hands for a large profit.
Scrap metal and essential vehicle parts such as the catalytic converter, transmission, and engine are worth a good chunk of change, so selling your junk vehicle is still possible even if it doesn’t run.
What sites buy junk cars that don’t run?
There are a variety of websites where you can sell your junk car that doesn’t run. These websites range from junk removal businesses to non-profits. Here are a few examples of the best sites to find junk car buyers.
- Junk Car Medics (junkcarmedics.com)
- Wheelzy (wheelzy.com)
- Wheels for Wishes (wheelsforwishes.org)
- Pick-n-Pull (picknpull.com)
Junk Car Medics is the best site to sell your junk car that doesn’t run. We find the highest bidding junk car buyers so you don’t have to. With just a few details about your car, we will send over an instant quote for your vehicle at an unbeatable price. Junk Car Medics buys thousands of vehicles per month and remains the #1 resource for junk vehicle sellers.
How much can I expect to get for a junk car that doesn’t run?
The value of a junk vehicle is dependent on several factors. This includes the make, model, and year of the car, condition, demand, location, and scrap metal prices. A junk vehicle that is missing a large portion of essential parts, like the engine, will earn less money than an intact vehicle with damage to the essential parts. Scrap metal is $200 per ton on average, so even a junk car that doesn’t run can turn out to be a profitable sale.
Junk vehicles are worth more when they are sold with a vehicle title. Junk vehicles without a vehicle title are worth $132 less on average, so it is best to maintain the original or receive a duplicate title if possible.
What are some tips for selling a junk car that doesn’t run?
Selling a junk car that doesn’t run is a pretty easy process once you’ve nailed all the steps down. Here are a few tips to keep in might when selling your junk vehicle.
- Only interact with reputable junk car buyers
- Junk car buyers who will remove your car for free are a must.
- Obtain a duplicate title for maximum profit
- Remove personal information (Social Security number, address, etc.) from documents exchanged with junk car buyer
Those are some of the most important tips or selling junk cars that don’t run.
What are some risks for selling a junk car that doesn’t run?
Just like with any sale, there comes a few risks when selling a junk car that doesn’t run. First, you may come across interested car buyers that will try to lowball you due to your vehicle’s inoperability. Do not accept offers that are below fair market value. There are plenty of junk car buyers in your area, and it is worth it to check out others before settling on an unsatisfactory offer.
Another risk is the potential for fraud. There are some circumstances where junk car buyers may try to offer a false check, or will show up to remove your car and attempt to haggle the price yet again. Protect yourself by insisting on cash payment at the time of vehicle pick up. Ensure you have important contact information from the junk vehicle buyer, such as the address of the individual or business, or a copy of the buyer’s driver’s license. These are all ways to make sure you don’t get scammed selling your junk car.
What to do after I sell a junk car that doesn’t run?
Once you’ve officially sold your junk vehicle, you should report the sale to the DMV and cancel your car registration, if applicable. Destroy or recycle your old license plates, or deposit them at a drop-off station at your local DMV.
Payments that are delivered electronically or via check should be monitored until cleared. Look over your bank statements and make sure the payment went through without a hitch.
