If you’re looking to sell your junk car, one of your main concerns is likely to be how much money you can realistically expect from the sale of your vehicle.
Fortunately, junk car buyers, junkyard and other automotive companies can give us a general idea of what you can expect when you sell your junk car.
On the other hand, there are so many variables involved that it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how much you’ll receive for your scrap car.
In general, you can expect to get anywhere from $250 – $1,000 for a clunker, though this range is purely estimation. Here are the main things that affect how much you can sell your junk car for, and things you can do to make the most of your junk car sale.
1. Make, Model and Year
The market for all cars isn’t the same, so it goes without saying that the biggest factor in how much cash you can get is the actual make, model and year of your vehicle. Generally, newer cars get more than older ones, but there is one exception: cars that are considered rare often have a nice demand for spare parts, so even if you have an older vehicle, it might still be worth something.
However, if you have a car that’s not quite new, but not yet a classic, you may be stuck in the “no man’s land” of junk cars, and you might only get a few hundred dollars or less.
The same thing goes with the make and model of your vehicle; common cars like Ford Tauruses and the like may not get as much as something that has potentially more demand, like a four-wheel drive truck.
You’ll also have to consider the reputation of your car. Many used cars don’t hold their value over time, and these cars don’t fetch as much when it’s time to junk them in. Cars like Hondas and Toyotas, however, are known to last longer than most cars, and can help you make more for your junk car than you thought.
Junk Car Cash Factor: $ $ $ $
2. Your Location
Junk cars in Michigan are different than junk cars in Arizona, and they’re both different than junk cars in Florida. The salty winters of Michigan wreak havoc on cars, and the dry desert heat of Arizona treats them better, while the humidity of Florida can also affect the way a car drives.
Simply put, wherever a car is from can dictate how much you’ll get when it’s time to sell. But your location not only determines the condition of your junk car – it also shapes the supply and demand of the junk car market.
In the United States, some of the cities with the most thriving junk car markets include:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Dallas, Texas
- Chicago, Illinois
- Miami, Florida
- Orlando, Florida
- Los Angeles, California
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- San Francisco, California
- New York City, New York
- Boston, Massachusetts
As you can see, this includes some of the country’s biggest cities – Chicago, LA, NYC – but it also includes less populated areas that have a higher demand for junk cars, such as Atlanta and Miami. So wherever you live could also change the amount that you receive for your junk car.
Junk Car Cash Factor: $ $ $
3. Your Junk Car Buyer
Just as car dealerships all offer different incentives, junk car buyers operate on different junk car buying principles. Some are willing to take whatever they can get – in order to scrap the metal – while others are only interested in specific cars or parts.
The best way to make the most of your sale is to find multiple junk car buyers in your area. This can be time-consuming, however, because not all buyers promote themselves as such. They may operate as a towing company or junkyard, and only pick up and buy junk cars when the time is right.
To get the best prospects, you can get a free online offer that helps you choose the best of your local buyers. Doing this makes the process fast and convenient, and you don’t have to go around town trying to connect with junk car buyers, who are notoriously difficult to reach. They’re stealthy.
Junk Car Cash Factor: $ $ $
4. Junk Car Condition
The shape your junk car is in doesn’t always matter, but there may be buyers that want to see that it can at least get fixed up with the right parts and manual labor. On the other hand, as mentioned, some buyers may be in for the scrap metal and that’s it.
In either case, the condition of the car can affect what you walk away with. If the car’s running and your able to drop it off, you may be able to receive more money because you saved the buyer from making a gas-guzzling trip across town. But if your junk car buyer isn’t picky, it might not matter at all.
When dealing with your buyer, be upfront about the car’s condition and don’t try to paint things better than they are. They’ll respect your honesty and integrity more than they’ll get excited for a junk car that sounds like it’s in better shape than it really is.
Junk Car Cash Factor: $ $
5. Time of Year
For the most part, you can expect to get about the same cash for a junk car throughout the year. There are exceptions, however, that can help you decide when the time is right. If you live in a climate with harsh winters, it can be best to sell your car in the late summer or spring, avoiding the temperatures of fall and winter.
In the spring, many people tend to junk in their cars around the same time they’re expecting a tax refund. If you fall into this group, consider waiting a little while until the “tax rush” is over with – you may find a buyer that’s looking for cars, rather than dealing with an influx of them.
Junk Car Cash Factor: $
Ready to Sell Your Junk Car?
So there you have it, the five factors that can affect how much you can sell your junk car for. If you’ve reviewed these and would like to see what you can get for your clunker, get your free instant online offer now. You can have your junk car towed away for free by tomorrow – it’s that easy.
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