As of 2017, there are over 2.3 million vehicles registered to drive in the state of Utah. Unfortunately, many of these cars will get damaged in an accident. When this happens, there's a risk that the car will become junk.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
If you're facing extensive repairs or have a car that won't run, you may have a junk car on your hands. If this is the case, junk car buyers can help you dump your heap of metal.
Follow this guide to learn how to get rid of your junk car and the mistakes to avoid.
Determine If You Have a Junk Car
Take a look at your car and decide if it qualifies as junk. If it does, then you'll want to sell it as a junk car to be able to get the most cash for it.
Does it require repairs, and do those repairs cost more than the total value of the car? Or is the engine or transmission inoperable? Finally, a car can become junk if the title or registration is lost.
All of these make the car worthless when it comes to selling it on your own or trading it in to a dealer. When this happens, your best chance for making cash on the sale of the car is to sell it to a junk car buyer.
How to Find the Right Junk Car Buyer
There are two ways you can go about finding a junk car buyer for your car. you could start locally and call around to all of the junkyards near the car. This can be quite time consuming and tedious as you ask each one what they would offer.
A faster and more comprehensive option is to look online for a buyer. It's quick and easy with an online form that you fill out in less than a minute.
Ask About Licensing
Only work with a legitimate company. They need to be licensed, bonded, and insured. This will take the liability off of you during the sale. In some states, it's illegal to operate as a junk car buyer without a license.
The buyer should have no issue with providing you with proof of these protections.
Read the Reviews
You go online to read reviews of businesses in other areas of your life, so why not read the reviews of potential buyers? You can get a feel for how they work and their customer satisfaction from previous deals.
A reputable company should have a strong online presence. Focus on how the company handles negative reviews. This can give you an idea of how they'll treat you should your deal turn sour before its completion.
Ask About Scale Certification
Reputable buyers will have their scales calibrated regularly. This will ensure it's as accurate as possible when weighing your car. A reputable junk car buyer will be able to show you their current certification indicating that their scales are accurate.
Mistakes to Avoid While Selling Your Junk Car
If you've never sold a junk car before, there are a few mistakes and pitfalls that first-timers fall into. Keep these in mind while selling your junk car, so you don't fall victim to them.
Paying for Towing
No reputable junk car buyer will charge you for towing your car away. If a buyer refuses to tow your car for free, then drop them and find a new buyer.
Don't Release the Car Without Payment
Never release legal ownership or possession of your car without cash or check payment in your hand. Unsavory buyers will try to convince you to accept delayed payment.
Once you sign over the title, you no longer have a legal claim to your car. If you let the buyer take possession, you may never find the buyer or your car again once they leave your property.
Don't Accept Payments Other Than Cash
Some buyers will try to entice you with vouchers or free trips. While these may sound appealing, they aren't worth as much as cash. Ignore any portion of an offer that isn't cash.
Then compare the cash value of each offer and accept the one that gives you the most.
Your Car Isn't Worthless
Some junk car buyers will try to convince you that your car is totally worthless. This isn't true because, at a bare minimum, a car is worth the salvaged metal. It may not be much, but it's worth something.
What to Do After the Sale
Once you sell your car, you need to let relevant third parties know. Cancel your car insurance so that you're not paying to protect a car that you no longer own.
If you've paid in advance, then you should get a refund.
You also need to file a release of liability with the DMV. This puts everyone on notice that you no longer own the can and are no longer liable for the damage it may cause.
This is important because if the car gets resold and then causes damage in an accident, someone could come looking for you for compensation.
Start Quoting with Junk Car Buyers
By following these tips, you can successfully sell your car to junk car buyers. Start by looking for a reputable buyer that will give you a fair cash offer.
Then keep an eye out for the mistakes that we've mentioned here. This will ensure you don't accidentally fall into a trap that causes you to lose money.
Contact our team today and sell your junk car for a fair cash offer.