Where to sell a junk car? Price & Junk car buyers compared.

Info Insider
7 min readApr 26, 2021

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Summary:

It’s a comprehensive discussion on what is a junk car? How do you sell a dead car? Or the best way to sell a junk car that’s not running. What do you need to junk a car without a title? How much is a junk car worth? Finally, I have discussed Who gives the best price for junk cars? Or where to sell a junk car?

After comparing the 5 Top junk car buyers that offer Cash for cars all over the USA, I found “Cash for Cars” is the best junk car buyer in USA.

Ready to get rid of your junk car? Get an instant offer right now!

Also, read this article before making a decision!

What is a junk Car?

A junk car is an old or damaged car that selling value for parts would be more cost-effective than spending money on repairs.

If you are a junk car owner, It will make more sense to pick apart a junk car and sell junk car parts instead of spending money to fix the entire vehicle.

Photo by Sean Stratton on Unsplash

Think about it, if you have a 15–20 years old car that drives about 180k — 200k miles and has many issues in the transmission, is it worth keeping or fixing?

Of course not!

But, how do you know if it’s time to junk your car?

Here are some common issues that can contribute to your vehicle qualifying as a junk car:

Missing important papers: If your vehicle’s important papers are missing (such as registration papers or vehicle title). It’s better to junk the car.

Car age or old model: If your vehicle is very old, let’s say the 2004 version car whose parts are not available in the market. It might be ready to junk in 2021.

Damaged car: If the car is damaged or significant parts either missing or mangled. If your new car is damaged due to natural disasters, floods, or fires, it should be junked.

Inoperable car: If your car is inoperable or unable to be driven due to multiple issues.

Wrong parking location: If your car is parked in the wrong place and sitting for a long time simply, junk it!

Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

Junk or damaged vehicles are always associated with threats. I hope you don’t want your car to drop dead in an empty street or unsafe area. Right?

Even if your car is running at 65 mph on the empty highway, junk cars cause many threats. So, call a junk car buyer and sell the junk cars for cash.

Best ways to sell a junk car that’s not running properly: 5 options to consider

If you discover yourself in a situation where you are willing to sell a junk car that doesn’t run for a long time and has parked in the wrong location, then you probably know that you are left with only a few options.

Depending on the method you are using to sell a junk car, the price may vary widely. No matter the options you will choose to sell a junk car, make sure you are honest about exactly what’s wrong with the car.

Best ways to sell a junk car
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So, what methods do you have to sell a junk car for $500 or more?

Place an ad: Just pick a paper or online portal and offer to sell the car parts. Craigslist, eBay, and classified ads are the best options to post this type of car parts selling ads.

Repair the car: You can discuss car problems with a car repairing service provider and get a quote. Worth it? In most cases, you will get more profit by selling a functional car.

Donate your car: It can be a good idea. While donating a car doesn’t put any cash directly in your pocket, it does allow you to deduct the car’s value on your government taxes.

Find a junk car buying company: Contact a junk car buyer, and they will tow your junk car from your home. These companies are neither local auto dealers nor Scrap yards. They play a middle man role. But, It’s a hassle process! Most companies offer same-day picks.

Scrap yards: Look upon google may find some scrap yards near your location. I’ll recommend this method for the worst car condition because scrap yards will give you less money than all other methods.

Do more search before choosing a junk car selling method and get more than $500.

How much is a junk car worth?

Junk car buying companies pay around $200-$1,000 for junk cars, and some can even be worth $20,000. It depends on the car model, car condition, and what option you choose to sell a junk car.

According to Kelly’s Blue Book, most junk car’s salvage value is about 20–30% of the current market value of the same car model. It is not always true, though.

Most of the time, your junk car buyer will offer you the price per ton of metal. But, make sure your junk car buyer has a certified scale to buy a junk car.

In recent statistics, the average weight of metal content in U.S. light vehicles between 2007 and 2017:

Steel = 2090 lbs. (1 ton), Aluminum = 416 lbs., Iron = 243 lbs., Copper & Brass = 69 lbs., Lead (battery) = 37 lbs.

Average Weight of Metal Content in USA Light Vehicles
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Here is a list of scrap metal price (as of May 2021):

Scrap Steel = $0.01 per pound or $200 per ton, Insulated copper wire = $0.51 per pound or $1020 per ton, Iron = 0.06 per pound or $110 per ton, Aluminum = $0.28 to $0.45 per pound or $560 to $900 per ton (depending on the type)

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Now, you can calculate the approximate price of your junk car. However, I’ll suggest you get a quote from multiple junk car buying companies and compare who offers the best price.

Who offers the best price for junk cars?

Here is a list of the 5 top junk car buying companies in the USA that offers the best price for junk cars:

#1 Cash for Cars

It offers you a fast and easy way to sell your car. In 2021, online offers of “Cash for cars” have been anywhere between $350 and up to $950! But, junk car sellers can expect at least $500 or more — regardless of your car’s condition.

Cash for cars

#2 Peddle

Peddle buy cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs in a wide range of conditions, years, makes, and models. Junk car sellers can expect anywhere between $100 (2001 Honda Accord) and up to $580 (2012 Ford Fusion) from Peddle.

#3 Carbrain:

If you have a car in good condition, you can sell your junk car for $500 in “Car Brain.” But, if the condition is not so good, you can expect between $100 and up to $300 from them.

#4 The Clunker Junker:

Most truly “junk cars” are currently worth anywhere between $50 and $300. That means junk car sellers can expect $50-$300 from them.

#5 Wheelzy:

Wheelzy will help you get rid of your junk car very fast! As of the recent car buying list of Weelzy, You can expect $175 and up to $500.

All 5 companies are trusted and market leaders in the Junk cars industry. But, from my research, “Cash for Cars” offers more compared to other companies.

Your Turn

Your car can be gently used, damaged, totaled, wrecked, flooded, or flat-out junk — it doesn’t matter. The junk car buyers will buy your car.

It is straightforward to find a junk buyer for your junk car. However, getting the most Cash for junk cars will be a little tricky if you don’t have any idea about the selling process.

Be prepared to negotiate so that you don’t get low-balled. Just keep in mind the factors discussed above as you prepare yourself.

Be Business Smart.

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