Is A Junk Car Worth More If It Runs or Drives?

Why Fixing A Junk Car Doesn’t Make Sense

If your old car seems to be in and out of the mechanic’s shop more often these days, you’re likely already aware that your car isn’t doesn’t have the same value it once did. Selling it privately may be difficult and trading it in won’t do much to make a dent in the cost of buying a new vehicle. So, should you keep making repairs or should you let your car go to salvage?

While up front it may seem the cheaper option to repair your older car rather than spend the money toward a new one, you’re costing yourself a lot more money in the long run. Repeated repairs to an older vehicle present a number of problems.

The first is that as cars age, they do naturally degenerate and lose value. While you may be able to keep up with repairs at first, as systems like your transmission and engine start to break down, that maintenance becomes unreasonable. The cost for replacing your engine or transmission can total thousands of dollars.

By the time your car needs those repairs, its market value is less than you’d be spending in repairs.

The next issue is that cumulative costs may eventually rival the cost of purchasing a new car upfront. While you may think you’re saving on a monthly car payment now, you’re putting that money into repairs while lacking the protection of newer parts.

Your best financial decision is to sell your car rather than investing into repairs. If you’re worried about who would want to buy an old junk car, don’t be. All you need to do is go to the experts who know just how valuable junk cars really are.

Selling Your Junk Car

If you were considering making repairs rather than selling in the first place, you’re likely aware that private buyers won’t be the easiest market for a car with mechanical problems. That doesn’t mean, however, that your car isn’t still valuable or that there aren’t plenty of interested buyers.

Though most of us see cars primarily as our mode of transportation, car salvagers understand the many complex parts of cars and their individual values.

When your car is sold for salvage, two things may happen to it. If it’s mostly still in good condition but has some major localized or aesthetic damage that rendered it totaled, a professional in car restoration may purchase it to get it back in driving condition. More often though, salvage vehicles are recycled.

Recycling A Junk Car

Recycling cars is a complicated but very important process.

When a car is sent to a landfill, it takes up valuable space and causes pollution. Car recycling facilities break down your car, first properly disposing of any toxic fluids.

Next, all of the good parts such as tires, your radio, or working parts under the hood are separated and resold. This secondhand parts market is an important resource for lessening demand for new parts and saving other drivers money when they get repairs done.

Then, all of the recyclable parts like metal and glass are separated and processed. The remaining disposable materials are no larger than your fist once they’re compressed to be thrown out!

Junk cars are only called junk cars because the average person has no use for a badly damaged car or vehicle that no longer drives. That doesn’t mean your car doesn’t still have value.

The automotive recycling industry is one of the largest in the US and growing all the time. Recycling your car is the best way to ensure you’re selling your car to someone who knows how much it’s really worth while also doing the planet a favor.

Where To Sell Your Junk Car

Once you’re ready to upgrade into a car that won’t need so many trips to the mechanic, you’ll need to find a purchaser for your old car. To do this, you have a number of options.

Your first option is the traditional method of calling all of your local junkyards for scrap. There are reputable scrap yards everywhere, and with time and effort you should be able to find a fair quote for your car.

If you go this route, have mechanic’s reports available so you can answer questions to help ensure an accurate quote. Do your research on safe junkyards, as there have been some less than savory businesses who prey on customers’ lack of expertise dealing with salvage sales.

Why Choose JunkCarMasters

To save your time and energy, your best bet is to sell online with JunkCarMasters.com! JunkCarMasters does all of the work for you, and only works with certified salvage purchasers in your area. That keeps you safe from scams and guarantees you’re getting the best quote for your car.

To get your quote, simply upload photos of your car and your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You’ll get a guaranteed quote in just 90 seconds that’s good for seven days.

Once you accept your quote, all you’ll need to do is schedule your pickup. Towing and title transfer are always on us!

One of our drivers can pick up your car and give you your payment on the spot within 24-48 hours. Sell your junk car and get back on the road with JunkCarMasters today!