Selling Junk Cars

From 3arf

When it comes to 'junk' in general, the first thing you have to do is step back, and look at it from another point of view. Obviously, the object has little or sentimental value to you or you wouldn't be considering it junk. You're junk, may be something another individual is in dire need of. I know you've heard the phrase one man's trash is another man's treasure. That phrase proves true with many, many things, cars being one of them.

If your looking to get rid of an old car, you need to realize that if it runs, there is someone out there that needs it. There are many people that can't afford to go out and spend thousands of dollars at a car dealership, and just as many that wouldn't even if they could afford to. Buying a used car comes with more risk, but it also comes without car payments, interest, and other things that car dealerships are eager to provide. My father once told me that any car that runs, is worth at least five hundred dollars to somebody. It's just a matter of finding the somebody needing a way around, and having the money. On the other hand, if the car doesn't run, you're options are pretty limited.

If your looking to sell a car that no longer runs, or has multiple mechanical problems, odds are you're trying to sell it because you either don't have the money, the time, the patience, or just don't want to get it fixed. That's a problem. Not many people will even consider buying a car with any mechanical problems, let alone a car that doesn't run. So the target buyers are people with mechanical knowledge, that will most likely be buying your car with the intent of doing something with it to make a profit, or buy it for cheap and fix it up for themselves, making the purchase well worth their while.

Options you have to sell "junk" cars that no longer run

The first, easiest, and probably less profitable would be selling it to a scrap yard. Scrap yards take in old cars, and plan to sell any part on the car that is still in decent condition to another consumer. For example, someone may go to a scrap yard needing a door for a 1997 Ford Taurus. If the scrap yard has a 1997 Ford Taurus, they will take it off the car they own, and sell it to the person in need. Scrap yards generally do not pay much for any vehicle, but if parts for the car are in high demand, they will offer you more. Another option you have is approaching local mechanics and automotive shops. The smaller the shops are your target here. They may see your car as an opportunity to make a little bit of extra money and jump all over it, while bigger shops may be less impressed with the opportunity your putting in front of them. Of course, their intent with your old vehicle will be to get it back to decent condition, to either drive for themselves if their in need of a car, or sell and turn a profit. Another option you have to find these same kinds of people would be to post an add on craigslist.com or another website of the nature describing your car with pictures and details. You just may be surprised how many responses you get. Selling a car that doesn't run or has mechanical problems is going to be a little bit of a task, so you have to be patient. If you try the other two ideas i mentioned and had no luck, you can always use the scrap yard as a back-up plan.

Options you have to sell "junk" cars that still run

Some people may consider a car that still runs, but is older, beat up and ugly, recently wrecked, requiring a new paint job, etc, to be a junk car. This is where the phrase one man's trash is another man's treasure comes into play. As I said earlier, there are many people looking for a form of transportation. Stuff happens. Car's break down, people get in wrecks, and teenagers need first cars. If your trying to sell a 'junk' car that still runs, these are your target buyers. Advertising your car to these people is the hard part. The best option in this case, is word of mouth. Let word out to your friends, and tell them to tell their friends, etc, that if they know anyone looking for a cheap car to call you. This usually seems to workout the best, because not only are you getting rid of your unwanted car, your helping out a potential friend that could really need it. If you put the word out, and still have no luck, the next best option would be to list it on some sort of a website like craigslist.com. Cars sell on websites like these constantly. If you try that and still have no luck, you can always sit the car in a well trafficked area with a for sale sign. Make sure you get the parking lot owners permission, so your car doesn't get towed though. Just stick a for-sale sign in the window, and let it sit for a few days. Selling a car can take time though, just remember, anything that runs is worth $500 to somebody, you just have to wait for that somebody to come along.

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