Get the Salvage Value of Your Car

Junk cars can feel like a burden. Depending what state they’re in, they may be an eyesore sitting in your driveway, and trading it in won’t do much for you at all. However, you shouldn’t let the term “junk” car fool you. Just because your car can’t get you around anymore doesn’t mean it can’t put money in your pocket.

The term “junk car” can refer to vehicles in a wide variety of conditions, but what many people don’t realize is that 80 percent of the average car going through an auto recycling facility is recyclable or usable for resale. Junk cars can also be purchased by people who specialize in restoring cars to working condition, giving vehicles many more years on the road after they’ve been sold as just junk!

How Much is My Junk Car Worth?

If the term “junk car” means so many things, how can you determine what your junk car is worth? There’s a number of factors that help determine your car’s market value.

The first and most obvious factor is the extent of any damage the car has. For example, if your car’s engine has failed due to an expensive but replaceable part and the car is otherwise undamaged, the car has the potential to be restored. For cars with severe frame damage, on the other hand, that can never be driven safely again, the car’s value is only in being recycled.

Another contributing factor is the price of steel and other metals that can be salvaged from your car. The market price for metals fluctuates over time, as well as region. Your location is a surprisingly important factor in determining your car’s value, and the amount a car sells for can vary based on region and the local auto and metal industries.

If you’ve used online tools in the past to determine your car’s value, you may be wondering if these same tools are available for your junk car. Unfortunately, traditional websites aren’t equipped to provide estimated market values for scrap cars. However, you can find a good price range by researching auction and salvage sites for your car’s make and model and similar damage to see how much they sell for.

What Happens to My Junk Car?

You may be wondering what exactly happens to your car after it’s been sold. After all, if your insurance company doesn’t think it’s worth repairing, who does?

The other industry is automotive recycling, which is a complicated but very important process with a major environmental impact. Cars sent to garbage dumps take up valuable real estate that should be used for non-recyclable items, and without being broken down properly, release toxic chemicals into the soil. When a car is recycled, its toxic elements are properly disposed of and the car is entirely broken down into recyclable, sellable, and non-usable parts.

Parts that can be recycled are things like metal or rubber that can be melted down and made into other things. In fact, recycled tires are a major building component of our roads! Parts of your car that are still in working order like your side mirror, catalytic converter, or stereo are sold to other drivers looking to save money and the environment by buying secondhand parts. The rest, the parts that can’t be recycled or sold, are crushed down into a chunk no bigger than your fist!

Where Should I Sell My Junk Car?

Traditionally, selling a junk car would involve creating an ad to find a private buyer or calling around every junk yard in town for a good quote. This process can be tedious, and unfortunately there’s always the risk of dishonest business practices that leave you at risk. Selling a car, even a junk vehicle, is a process with potential legal and financial consequences if done incorrectly.

The good news is that you no longer have to do all the research yourself. With a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access, you can safely sell your junk car from home in a matter of days. JunkCarMasters.com specializes in junk cars, meaning we’re the best equipped to give you the fairest price for your car. We only work with reputable junk car buyers in your area, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll be protected during the sale of your car.

To get a quote in just 90 seconds from JunkCarMasters.com, all we’ll need is your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and some pictures of your car. If you’re unsure where to find your VIN, look through the driver’s side of your windshield. It’s a 17 digit number completely unique to your car, and will help us ensure your quote is accurate.

Once you’ve received your free quote, it’s locked in for seven days. Title transfer costs and towing are always on us. Once you’ve accepted your quote, just schedule your pickup at a date and time most convenient for you.

We can usually schedule pickup within 24-48 hours of your quote being accepted! All you’ll need to do when the driver arrives is sign over your title, give the driver your keys, and accept payment for your car. Congratulations, you’ve sold your junk car in under a week!