If you’re wondering how to sell my broken car for cash, you’re no alone. Most people have never had to sell a car that isn’t in running condition before, and don’t know how to go about it. The good news is that there are many people interested in your broken car if you know where to look for them. Even though your car is no longer useful to you as transportation, it has value for the parts it contains and the scrap value of metals that were used to make it. We’ve compiled a handy list of information you’ll need to know to sell your broken car for cash.
Establish Ownership of the Car
It doesn’t matter if you’re selling your car to a nationwide automobile recycler like Sellthecars or a private seller, you’ll need to be able to prove that you own the car to sell it legally. If your car is already paid off, you should have a certificate of title. All you have to do in most states is to sign and date the form on the back in order to transfer ownership of the car. If the title is lost, you can go to the department of motor vehicles in your state and apply to get a copy. You’ll need the Vehicle Identification Number, which is usually found on a metal plate riveted to the top of the dashboard. Take care of the title before trying to sell your broken car.
Estimate the Car’s Value
To get the most for your car, you need to figure out what it would be worth on the open market if it were in good working order. You can check out what’s called the Blue Book value for the vehicle by model year and make. Then you need to make a list of the repairs that are necessary to make it a functioning used car. Subtract the amount of the necessary repairs from the used car value, and the difference is approximately what the car should be worth.
Shop Around
Ask around with people you know to sell a broken car for cash. Your mechanic might be interested, especially since he knows the car as well as anyone, and he might be able to make the repairs and still turn a profit. You can contact area junkyards, or if you live in a rural area, the junkyards in the nearest city. You many have to keep trying, as not all junkyards are interested in broken cars, and some will charge you for a tow if you need one.
Follow the Laws
If you run an ad and offer to “sell my broken car for cash” to a private seller, the same laws that apply to car dealers in your state also apply to you. So-called lemon laws have been put in place to protect consumers against unfair treatment from sellers. These laws vary from state to state, so check with the office of consumer affairs or the attorney general’s office in your state to find out more about your obligations.
