Disposing of your old car might be one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever have to make because you most likely have developed an emotional attachment to it. But if you’re ready to take this step, the question of how best to get rid of it is something that must have crossed your mind. After all, holding on to it might take a lot of your energy and time, which you could otherwise put to better use.
Luckily, there are several ways you can get rid of your car, regardless of whether it’s past its prime or in superb condition. Without further ado, here’s a look at the most common ways you can dispose of your old car.
Table of Contents
1. Contact A Car Wrecker
Source: canterburywreckers.com
Gone are the days when you could simply leave your car lying around in your yard once it can no longer be used. Thanks to car wreckers, you now have a safe way of getting rid of your old car. Selling your old vehicle to them is also the easiest and fastest way to get it off your hands. And if the hassle of searching the market for a potential buyer is something you’d rather not have to deal with, this is undoubtedly the best option to consider.
Besides paying cash for the old vehicle, car removal services will also take care of towing the car from your property, and you don’t have to pay extra fees. It’s also less time-consuming since you don’t need to do any legwork yourself. With the convenience that this option offers, you might want to visit Autowrecker for more information.
2. Sell The Vehicle Directly To An Interested Buyer
You can also dispose of your old car by selling it yourself. You should consider this method if you want to get a fair price or even more money from the sale of your old car. This method also allows you to set the parameters for selling your old car. However, be ready to do the work because finding a potential buyer requires effort, patience, and dedication.
There are different avenues where you can market your car to prospective buyers, including traditional methods such as placing an ad in the newspaper. But to effectively reach your potential customers, you should consider taking advantage of online selling sites. And the best thing about the latter options is you don’t need to pay a penny to post your ad.
3. Sell The Car To A Dealership
Source: experian.com
Selling your old car by yourself can be a hassle, and if this is something you don’t want to deal with, selling it to a car dealer might be a better option. These car dealers specialize in buying private cars, fixing them, and later selling them for a profit. And because they’re in this business to make money, dealers often won’t pay the vehicle’s fair market value.
But before a dealer decides how much to pay you, they’ll first inspect your car thoroughly. Doing this will help them identify the repairs that need to be done for your old car to be once again roadworthy.
When searching for a car dealer, it’s advisable to check out those that sell similar models. However, you shouldn’t limit yourself to such dealers if they aren’t offering you an acceptable deal. In this case, you might need to consider other off-brand dealerships.
4. Trade-In Your Old Car
Source: pelicanstateofmind.com
If you want to buy another new or used car, trading in your vehicle might be the best way to get rid of your unwanted vehicle. This way, you don’t have to start the search for a buyer on your own.
It’ll also reduce the amount of money you need to shell out for the car you’re looking to buy. How much you’ll get paid for your old car will vary depending on several factors such as its condition, mileage, accident history, features, and even exterior color.
But before approaching a car dealer, make sure to check out your car’s value because this will give you an advantage when negotiating how much you should be paid. Otherwise, you might be paid a lot less for your car than its actual market value.
5. Donate Your Car To Charity
Another way you can dispose of your old car is by donating it to charity where it can be used for a good cause. By donating your vehicle to a non-profit organization, you also qualify for a tax deduction from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). And enjoying such a tax break is much welcome.
Many charities would be willing to accept your donation should you choose to get rid of your old car through this option. But before choosing a particular charity, do research on them to avoid any unpleasant surprise.
After handing over the car to a charity, they’ll probably auction it off to raise much-needed funds. The charity will then issue a donation receipt that you need to submit to the IRS when you claim deductions on your tax returns.
6. Sell The Car Parts
Source: mccluskeyautomotive.com
If your old car doesn’t even run or is in a terrible mechanical shape, you shouldn’t lose hope and assume you can’t make money from it. This is because you can sell the car parts, which can fetch a reasonable price, and you’ll get a tidy sum when you’re done. Some of the parts in great demand that you should focus on include:
- Alternators
- Steering components
- Fuel injection computers
- Fuel pumps
- Door latches
- Seats
- Window regulators
- Seats
- Radios
This car disposal technique is advisable if you’re reasonably knowledgeable about cars and the different parts. It’s also time-consuming because you’ll have to do market research to find the current value of the different vehicle parts and find a buyer. In addition, it’s labor-intensive because you’ll have to disassemble your old car to remove the car parts.
Alternatively, you can reach out to the local auto-recycling center with details about your car’s make, model, and year of manufacture. Consequently, they’ll tell you how much they’re willing to pay for the different parts.
Takeaway
Car disposal is an option you should consider if you have an unwanted car. But as a car owner, the proper disposal method is one challenge you’ll have to deal with. Fortunately, this will no longer be an issue with this exhaustive guide providing details on the best ways you can get rid of your old car.
