When it comes time to sell your California clunker, you don’t want to leave any money on the table. Although it’s hit the unfortunate junk car category, it still has value. There are ways to ensure you get top dollar for your jalopy. Many sellers of junk cars make the same common mistakes, but we’re here to steer you clear of those.
If you’re a Los Angeles County resident looking to make quick cash, sell your junk car in Santa Clarita to a specialized dealership. There’s no need to try and sell it to a seedy scrapyard or waste time dealing with tire kickers. Specialized junk car dealers are your best choice for an easy selling experience.
Top 6 Mistakes To Avoid When Selling Your Clunker in California
Many Californians like to maintain a green lifestyle. Abandoning your junk car isn’t a green thing to do, and in fact, it’s illegal. However, when you properly junk your jalopy, its parts and components will be salvaged and reused, which is the green way to go. You’ll make some money when you junk it while doing your part for the environment. It’s a win-win situation.
However, there are several mistakes you can easily make when selling your junk car. We’re here to provide valuable suggestions and things to avoid before the sale.
Fixing Before Junking
Junk cars almost always have issues. Whether it’s extensive body damage like rust or busted fenders or something more severe like a blown head gasket, the vehicle has hit the junk category for a reason. Fixing or replacing broken parts will not fetch more money when junking it. There’s a difference between selling an old, beat-up car to a private buyer and junking it for scrap. If you’re junking yours, don’t waste your money on prettying it up.
Not Having Proof of Ownership
You’ll be hard-pressed to sell any vehicle without its title or proof of ownership. The state of California has certain requirements when selling a vehicle for the purpose of salvage. To save time and trouble before junking your clunker, locate its title or Bill of Sale. You can always request a duplicate title from California DMV if you can’t locate the original.
Paying for Junk Car Removal
Sellers of junk cars doing some internet research will be bombarded with sites and ads offering the removal of junk cars. However, buyer beware. These junk removal services are rarely free, and you’ll be leaving money on the table if you pay a shady business to tow your clunker away.
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Specialized junk car dealerships will not only pay you for your wreck but also come to you and provide a free tow-away service. Don’t deal with a business that expects you to pay for them to pick up something they will profit from.
Junkyard Scams
Junkyards seem like the logical place to junk your junk car. However, many operate under less-than-professional ethics and will do what they can get away with to hustle you out of your fair share of the sale. Some will tell you your vehicle has zero value but will offer to take it off your hands for free. This is simply not true.
Not Removing Valuables
No matter who you’re selling your clunker to, always remove everything not included in the sale. Items you’ll want to remove can include sentimental and personal things up to those with more value, such as the stereo and speakers or the jack and other tools. Once you’ve sold the vehicle, everything inside belongs to the new owner. Check the trunk, glovebox, center console, and even under the seats before signing away ownership.
Forgetting to Cancel Vehicle Insurance
When junking an old car, it’s too common to forget to cancel the insurance policy attached to it. This may seem like a no-brainer, but for folks who have their auto insurance payment set up to be paid automatically, it can be incredibly easy to forget to cancel the policy once they’ve junked the car. Not doing it immediately after handing over ownership simply throws money out the window.
Sell Your California Clunker To a Specialized Junk Car Dealership
When your junk car is ready to hit the junk pile, junking it is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good for your wallet. However, there are certain mistakes to be avoided when turning over ownership. Selling yours to a California-specialized dealership that purchases any and all vehicles regardless of condition, age, or mileage is the way to go. They’ll tow it away for free, leaving you more cash than expected.
