The Do’s & Don’ts of Selling a Junk Car to a Salvage Yard

Instead of giving away your junk car for free or having it waste space in your garage or driveway, sell it to an auto salvage yard. They’ll assess the value of the car and buy it from you, turning your junk car from dead weight into income. The basics below will ensure a smooth experience when selling your vehicle.

Do:

Gather paperwork and information about the vehicle.

To sell your car to an auto salvage yard, you’ll need to provide a title to prove you own it. If you cannot locate the title, you can get a duplicate copy from your local DMV.

A salvage yard might ask questions about maintenance, mileage, and any history of accidents or flooding to determine the value of your car. Gather all documents that prove the history and current state of your car so there won't be doubts about its value.

Remove personal belongings and cancel auto insurance.

If you leave valuables in the car, once it’s junked, you won't be getting them back. Before you send it off to the salvage yard, check all of its nooks and crannies, and don’t forget to remove the license plates. 

While you’re at it, cancel your auto insurance. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying beyond your ownership period. Some insurers may be willing to refund you for forgetting to cancel coverage, but it is not standard.

Don’t:

Try to sell your car for parts.

You might be tempted to try to sell your car for parts before you sell it to a salvage yard. Often this ends up causing more damage, and it can potentially make valuable parts worthless, reducing the value of your car. Auto salvage yards are looking for a complete vehicle that includes a catalytic converter, battery, and tires.

If you have a junk car that has been sitting on your property, contact Rudy's Towing & Auto Salvage in Philadelphia, PA. The salvage yard staff can come to you for free and pick up your vehicle. They offer top cash for junk cars, construction equipment, forklifts, trailers, trucks, and vans. Call (267) 235-9421 to schedule a pick-up or visit their website for an instant quote.