What Is Junk Car Removal?
If you want to know how to junk a car, you first need to understand what junk car removal is all about. It is essentially a service that cash-for-car services provide to car owners who are looking to dispose of their junkers for a fair amount of money. It is also an important part of the used car market because most junk cars tend to be undrivable.
As a result, junk car buyers will typically provide removal services using tow trucks and flatbeds, without which sellers would have to incur the costs of transportation. And most of the time, these costs would end up exceeding the potential payout from the junk car, thereby nullifying the whole point of selling the junker to begin with.
In this respect, if you have a vehicle that no longer runs, you would be better off selling it to a junk car service. And while you can always try to perform repairs yourself, if you lack the necessary mechanical training or knowledge, it may end up proving to be more work than you can handle.
Also, leaving it sitting idly in your yard is always a bad idea because the longer it stays unattended, the more it can negatively affect the environment. Most of these old vehicles contain harmful gases and drain fluids that may cause soil and groundwater pollution.
In fact, if you happen to have a homeowners association, there is a chance that they will even fine you. Luckily, junk car removal services like USCarJunker will usually purchase these vehicles, repurpose their scrap metal, and recycle their working parts to prevent them from ending up in landfills.
What Are The Signs That You May Own a Junk Car?
If you are not completely confident that you can classify your vehicle as a junker, especially if it is still operable, then here is a quick list of signs to watch for.
#1. Rusted Bodywork
The first obvious sign that you may be dealing with a junk car is rust on the bodywork. If This type of damage often means that your car has been excessively exposed to conditions that allowed oxygen and water to invade, thereby spreading to parts of your car over time.
A vehicle that shows these kinds of symptoms will usually be worth significantly less than its clean counterpart, so it makes no sense to keep it or even try to sell it to a private buyer.
#2. Strong Smell Under The Hood
Another obvious sign is if you notice a strong smell under the hood and excessive smoking, especially whenever you try to start the car. In most cases, this can either be gas or oil, but the one constant is that it is often an early indication of impending engine failure.
In such situations, the best course of action is to identify what is causing the issue and have it repaired by a professional. However, if the costs of repair are too high, then you are better off selling it to cash-for car service like USCarJunker
#3. Engine Rattles
If you have an old car that is still drivable but has an engine that consistently rattles, even when idle, then this can suggest that it is a junker. You should take the time to listen closely whenever you drive the car to see if there are any abnormal sounds, knocks, or vibrations coming from underneath the hood.
You can also take your car to the mechanic and have it scanned using an OBD-II scanner, which can inform you of what exactly is wrong with it. If it presents any result other than green, then it isn’t a good sign. Such sounds can indicate a serious hazard, so even if it is roadworthy, you should avoid trying to drive it on the road.
NB: If your vehicle presents any one of these signs, you can start to consider taking it to a scrapyard or selling it for cash to an online service like USCarJunker. The car will likely be stripped and its parts reused or recycled, which should benefit you by providing you with extra cash and space in your yard.
Which Parts Of A Junk Car Are The Most Valuable?
In most cases, junk car buyers will end up scrapping your old beater for spare parts while crushing the rest of the vehicle and sending it off to a local metal recycling facility. Even the tires on junk cars that are old, cracked, or damaged due to an excessive amount of wear and tear can be of some value.
However, there are three main parts to any vehicle that offers the most value for such companies. These include:
- Engine: Most car engines come manufactured using aluminum parts, which makes them extremely valuable. Plus, some of these engines can be repaired and reused in other cars.
- Transmission: A car’s transmission system is usually very valuable because it can possibly be resold as a whole. And similar to car engines, they are often manufactured using aluminum.
- Catalytic Converter: A car’s catalytic converter will usually end up containing some of the most expensive materials in a vehicle such as rhodium, palladium, and platinum. These group metals are extremely rare so they are often quite valuable to repair shops, scrap yards, and even independent dealers.
How Does The Junk Car Removal Process Work?
Junk car removal is an extremely simple and straightforward process that typically consists of just three main steps. The first is filling out an online form on the cash-for-car service website. This will usually involve sharing details about your car, e.g., specs and current condition.
The second step is submitting the form and waiting for the company representatives to review your application. They will usually use the information you’ve shared to provide you with an accurate estimate of your car’s true monetary value.
The third step is reviewing the offer and deciding whether or not you will accept it. If you do decide to take the offer, they will schedule a date and time to pick up the car. When they show up, they will inspect the vehicle to confirm that it matches the information you shared.
If it does, they will have you sign over the car’s title, hand you the payment, and tow the car away to the nearest scrap yard or auto shop, where it will be parted out and dismantled for spare parts.
How To Choose A Junk Car Buyer?
There are a number of options available to you when it comes to choosing a junk car buyer. The first option is to try and sell the vehicle to a private buyer online. This process can often raise the most amount of money for your junker, but it also tends to be the least successful. After all, very few people are willing to buy a car that barely runs or is in good shape.
A more practical option is to sell the car to a cash-for-car service like USCarJunker. These types of companies are dedicated to purchasing all types of junkers, no matter their condition. On top of that, they provide instant quotes, which means that you won’t need to waste weeks or even months finding a buyer.
If you are happy with the cash offer, they will send someone over, and voila! The junk car will be taken away, and you will have some quick cash in your pocket to show for it. It’s that simple!