What Should I Remove from my Car Before Scrapping It?
Are you prepared to sell your junk car but wonder what to remove before scraping it? You're not alone. Many people will advise taking out all personal belongings from the scrap car. Removing your personal belongings is essential as you may be unable to retrieve them after the sale is completed.
There's an alternative, stripping your car for parts. Read our full guide on stripping your car parts for cash. However, we must note that not many local junkyards will buy a stripped car from you.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what you might remove. Let's get down to the meat of the matter. What should you remove from your junk car before selling it?
Important personal belongings
Your car can be many things, including a temporary shelter. Many people keep clothes, documents, cash, and other personal effects in their vehicles for easy access.
If you're one of these people, now is the time to remove all personal items. Be sure to remove these items before contacting a cash car buyer or local junkyard nearby. This gives you enough time to comb through your car and retrieve all personal belongings.
Remember that you can't undo the sale once you sell your car to a junkyard. So, look through the glove box, look under the seats, remove the back seats if possible, and ensure that your car is combed clean.
Remove your license plates
Your license plates tie you to the car. Just like your social security number (SSN) is associated with your name and person. Ensure that your license plates are screwed off before completing the sale.
Once you've removed the license plates, read up on your state's laws regarding license plates. Some states allow you to move license plates from one vehicle to another. You can easily screw your old plates on the junk car's replacement if this is allowed in your state.
As you're screwing the plates off, remember to contact your insurance provider about the sale. This will cancel or pause your insurance cover until you're ready to re-activate it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Junk car parts you shouldn't remove when selling
Junkyards and "cash for cars" companies offer more cash for complete cars. If you plan on stripping your junk car for parts, the chances of selling the carcass becomes lower.
Important parts to keep on your junk car when selling include;
- GPS
- Exhaust system
- Catalytic converter
- Bumpers
- Truck hatches
- Car batteries
- Fenders
- Bumpers
- Car doors and windows
- Transmission
- Air conditioning system
- Airbags
- Audio systems
- Windshield wiper arms
- Motor oil and filters
Is it better to scrap or sell a car?
It is better to scrap your car if it has exceeded its useful life, is damaged, totaled, or requires expensive repairs. On the other hand, you'll make more money from selling to a new owner if your car is good or in excellent condition.
