Thousands of people every year are losing money on their old, junk cars. Some are decommissioned after car accidents or because they need constant repairs that outweigh their value. Some are just simply too old and damaged to function properly. The odds are you are either putting too much money into repairs, or you are losing money by letting it sit in your driveway or garage. So what do you do? Listed below are a list of suggestions of what you can do with your junk car that can ultimately save you money.
Consider a Junk Scrappage Program
Scrappage programs were established to get as many energy-inefficient cars off the roads as possible without adding them to landfills. This is because cares left in landfills can pollute groundwater, provide homes for disease-carrying pests, and take up to 1,000 years to decompose completely. With that said, you don’t want your car to become a landfill in your back yard, or harbor home-invading pests. With a scrappage program you can actually get paid for donating your car (Source: www.messymotors.com). Many junk scrappage programs will even do the work for you by coming and picking the car up themselves. In the long run this route will save you money as you will no longer have to worry about repairs, the upkeep, or having to pay the insurance for your car to just sit in your driveway.
Sell the Car
Another option you can consider is selling the car. You can do this in many different ways and for many different reasons. The first and probably the easiest way is to sell the whole car to a junk dealer. They will take your car gladly off your hands and use it for spare parts. You might also consider cleaning up the car as best as you can and posting it on a site like eBay. Chances are you will find someone that will be willing to take the car off your hands. If you decide to go the eBay route, you have the potential to make more money especially if you know how to attract the right bidders.
Sell the Parts
You might want to consider taking the whole car apart and selling the parts that still work. This method will probably make you the least amount of money, but it can still earn you a few extra bucks. You can either sell the good parts to a local mechanic if they will take them or to a junk dealer. Selling the parts online could also be another option. Also, keep in mind that just because the bad parts of the car don’t work, doesn’t mean you can’t make money off of them, you just won’t make as much. The best route with the bad parts would probably trying to sell them to a junk dealer or scrappage program.
Use the Car for Spare Parts
Keeping the car and using it for spare parts is also another option, especially if you have another car that is similar in make and model. When the car that is in better shape has an issue and breaks down, you can save money on parts by using your old car for spare parts. This won’t be as effective as just buying brand new parts and the repairs on your car may not last as long, but it may save you money in the short-term.
The bottom line is if you have an old junk car that is just sitting around, you are losing money. Consider the options above as they can help you save money and potentially earn you a few extra dollars in the long run.