If you have an old and damaged car that’s too expensive to fix, then you might have thought about scrapping it. Typically, scrapping, which means selling an outdated car for parts, can be the best and easiest way to get rid of a vehicle while making the most money off it. However, dealing with this process can be challenging and time-consuming, especially if you have no idea how to go about the whole process.
To help you out, if you’re planning to sell your car for its parts, below are four tips and tricks you should consider from the get-go:
1. Assess Your Vehicle
If you’ve decided to get your car parts sold, the first thing you should do is to have them inspected by a professional mechanic. A professional mechanic is capable of assessing the vehicle thoroughly, allowing you to identify which car parts can be sold at a reasonable price.
There are several individual buyers and salvage yards willing to buy chopped parts that are still in better condition. So, if your car no longer functions or simply in bad shape, it may be time to get rid of it by selling its parts. Besides, it may be cheaper to sell your car than fix it, especially if the parts are in better condition and can still be used by other people.
2. Take An Inventory
Once you’ve determined the items for sale, then you’re ready to take the next step in the car parts selling process: inventory taking. As soon as the mechanic tells you which parts can still be sold and which aren’t, you should take an inventory so you know what you’ll be selling in the first place. Your inventory can include the following:
- Engine and transmission
- Electronic parts, like HVAC controls, CD dash, radio, speakers, and many more
- Mechanical parts, including a head gasket
As you can see, there are several car parts that can be sold or bought used. However, it’s also essential to know that there are used car parts that people aren’t interested to buy due to some reasons. For example, buying a used fan-belt or spark plug may not be a great decision since the brand-new ones aren’t even expensive to buy at all.
3. Familiarize All The Laws And Prepare The Necessary Paperwork
When selling a car for parts, it’s also crucial that you understand all the applicable laws and prepare the necessary paperwork. This means you should familiarize yourself with the laws in your state regarding junk and scraped cars. For instance, depending on the state you’re in, you may be required to have some legal documentation before you can scrap your vehicle.
Moreover, you may need to fill out a lot of documents or paperwork to ensure you follow all the rules and regulations, including the guidelines. So, if you want to avoid legal trouble, stay on the right side of the law.
4. Look For Potential Buyers
Now that you know the laws and complete the necessary paperwork, the next thing you should do is to reach out to potential buyers to start the selling process. These can include:
- Local salvage yards: This is one of the most common ways of selling your car for parts. They’ll take your vehicle and do the scrapping for you without any hassle.
To find a reliable salvage yard, you can browse the web and look for some options near you. However, when doing the search, you should ensure that the one you choose is reputable, licensed, and insured. By doing this, you can rest knowing that you’re doing a straightforward and trustworthy business transaction.
- Private buyers: Aside from local salvage yards, you can also sell your car parts to private buyers who are willing to buy them quickly. With the help of the Internet, you can find these people online, particularly on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay.
But if you want to do business with private buyers, you need to consider a lot of things to ensure a smooth selling process. These can include taking good images of all your items, factoring in the shipping costs, testing your car parts to know if they’re still functioning, setting realistic prices that match your listings, and many more.
Bottom Line
Realistically speaking, selling your car for parts may not be the best route for most people. But if you think the costs of selling your used vehicle in whole will be higher than the costs of selling it for parts, then keep the tips and tricks mentioned above and you’re good to go.
Remember, your old, damaged car doesn’t have to be junk right away. By putting your car parts for sale, you can get rid of an old item while earning some money.
