4 Tips For Selling A Car That Doesn’t Run Anymore

Perhaps, the first thing that came to your mind upon reading the title was, “Who would want to buy such a car?” The answer is more than you think.

While not as big as the market for working cars, junk car market exists. People who do restoration as a hobby scour the land and online for hollow shells, especially rare classics, languishing in one’s shed or storage. They even go the extra mile by searching for matching or suitable parts to replicate as much of the car’s original look and feel.

There are also nationwide car buyers that purchase cars regardless of their condition. While buying for less than a traditional car dealer, these buyers sell vehicles by their parts, assuring the owner some profit. Of course, the better the car’s condition, the higher the selling price. 

To help demand a higher price for your non-working car, below are some tips and tricks.

1. Address Low-Cost Issues

Before your buyer takes the car off your hands, ask yourself this: “Can I still fix it?”

Depending on their extent, fixing the car’s issues may or may not be a financially sound decision. Replacing a broken head or taillight, a dead battery, and a squeaky set of brakes may still be worth the investment. On the other hand, addressing a knocking engine, noticeable smells of oil or fuel, or warning lights may cost more than the value of the car itself.

Focus on the problems whose costs are easily recoupable upon the sale, but don’t try to tackle too many. In the end, the purpose of selling the car should be to make the most money out of it. If you have no idea what problems to focus on, ask a mechanic to help you out.

2. Avoid The Scrap Heap

Cars that are beyond repair are sure to find a buyer in the salvage business. Here are a few reasons selling your ride there is ill-advised, especially if it still looks solid:

• Most salvage lots determine prices based on the weight of the metal. Any replacement part installed to address the car’s issues will hardly contribute to the overall value (although some salvage lots consider and resell usable parts).
• Salvaging is more of an option for cars deemed a total loss (i.e., wrecked in an accident or inundated by flooding). A broken vehicle that still has many usable parts would be a waste to send to the scrap heap.
• There’s almost no market for salvage or rebuilt-title cars. Although cheaper and rebuilt like new, these cars keep the reasons that deemed them a total loss well-hidden. Mechanics who fancy a challenge tend to look for such vehicles and restore them as best they can.

Remember that just because a car’s broken doesn’t necessarily imply it’s a total loss. Some owners sell their vehicles because they don’t have the money to have them repaired, which means potential buyers can have the means to do so.

3. Get The Appropriate Paperwork

Working or not, no car sale can proceed without proof of ownership. A car’s paperwork guarantees the buyer that it’s not stolen or filed under pretenses. Fortunately, showing that the broken vehicle is under the seller’s name is the bare minimum for selling it. If you don’t have the documents, visit your local motor vehicle registration authority.

A clean title will help boost the vehicle’s overall value. It means that the car has never been in an accident or sustained enough damage to consider it a total loss. While not as much as a clean title, a vehicle with any title (e.g., flood, lemon, rebuilt, etc.) will hold more value than one with no title. 

4. Clean It Before The Big Sale

Treat your car well, and it’ll treat you well. 

Presenting a spic-and-span car on the day of the sale can command a higher price. For one, it gives the admirable impression of taking good care of the car until the end. But, as you’re trying to make the most money out of the sale, there’s no need to have it undergo an extensive makeover. Detail the car if your budget permits, but a good wash will suffice.

A clean interior is just as important as a clean exterior. Leave no nook and cranny unturned as you vacuum the seats and remove the stains. Don’t forget to remove your personal effects, especially gadgets and accessories you can still install in your new car.

Conclusion

With the right decisions, a non-working car will sell for as much as you expect it. And, somewhere out there, a buyer may be able to breathe new life into it.