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How To Scrap A Car For The Most Money

Whether you’re in the market for a new car and are looking to part with your current ride or just want to make some money off of a damaged vehicle that you don’t want or need any longer, it makes sense to explore your options before trading it in to the dealer, donating it or taking a cash out from a scrap yard.

And with the popularity of selling your car online, it’s easier and more convenient than ever to figure out how much your car is worth in scrap and sell it fast.

It’s only natural for sellers to want to net as much for their car as possible, damaged or not, and while it’s highly likely that you’ll make more from selling online than you would taking it to the scrap yard, there’s still a lot you need to be aware of when selling your car online to get the best offer for your car. Here’s a closer look at how to get the most for your car.

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Ways To Get Money For Scrap Cars

First things first, selling your junk car online is a lot different than posting an ad in the newspaper. You need to choose from a variety of online selling platforms. Who will buy your wrecked car, though? "Where can I sell my wrecked car" you might ask.

Getting Cash For Scrap Cars Online: The Easy Way

There are online auctions, like eBay, online classifieds, like CraigsList, and online direct car buyers like CarBrain who make online car offers instantly. Choosing the right platform is probably the most important step in getting the best offer for your car.

If your car is damaged, wrecked, broken-down or has very high mileage, finding a company that specializes in buying those types of cars is key. CarBrain makes the best offers for wrecked cars. Because we make high offers on cars every day, we can give you top tips to get the best offer for your vehicle.

It’s estimated that about 75 percent of all online car sales are occurring across state lines. So, for instance, you could be selling your car in Michigan to a buyer in Florida.

This "long distance selling" is notable because it’s highly unlikely that many online buyers will ever get to (a) see your car in person before purchasing it or (b) test drive it before buying.

Because of this, it’s essential that you provide extremely detailed information about your vehicle and include a full gamut of pictures to get the best value for your totaled car. Being as detailed as possible is the most effective way of getting the most money for a junk car.

Information Required To Get The Scrap Value Of A Car

The Big Difference When It Comes to Selling a Wrecked Car OnlineMany online car buyers are looking for specific types of cars, so it’s important to be very detailed with the basic information about the vehicle you’re putting up for purchase. CarBrain, for example specializes in buying cars that are in less-than-perfect condition.

While this step may seem sophomoric in nature, you’d be surprised by how many online sellers don’t approach even the basics correctly, so don’t overlook detailing things like:

  • Year
  • Make
  • Model
  • Trim
  • Mileage
  • Damage and condition
  • Recent repairs
  • VIN number
  • Number of previous owners (if applicable)
  • Selling location (i.e. Zip Code)

In addition to providing the above information, one of the most important aspects of selling scrap cars online is giving the buyer an accurate and detailed vehicle description. If you opt to use an online classified or auction, get creative with this to help your listing stand out from the others.

For many, cars are labors of love, so the more detailed and enthusiastic you can make the description sound, the better. Additionally, make sure that the description is grammatically correct and free of any misspelled words, as this can make sellers wonder just what they’d be getting into if they pursued the listed vehicle.

Think of a car description as a cover letter if you were to apply for a job. You want to get the attention of the employer, or the buyer in this case.

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Photos Can Illustrate A Car’s Scrap Value Better

Going back to what we stated in the opening, as many as 75 percent of all online vehicle transactions are across state lines – a statistic that reflects buyer inability in many cases to physically see and drive the vehicle prior to purchase.

Noting this, quality pictures are key. We recommend shooting your car from every angle on both the interior and the exterior. Also be sure to take pictures that show any damages. As well as of its most important body parts.

These photos serve as a virtual walk around for the buyer. You can present the pictures in a few ways – by posting every image in a gallery with the listing or by just posting a few with the listing and sending along more via e-mail once there’s a line of communication with interested buyers. CarBrain will always give a more precise offer with better pictures.

Sell Your Car For Scrap By Advertising It Yourself

PicturesIt’s natural to ask the question: “How do I sell my junk car for the most money?” But before you can sell it, you need to get some interest in it. And before people can browse the make, model, trim, mileage and look through the photo gallery, they first need to click on the particular listing.

This is best done by creating a catchy, attractive headline that features a would-be desirable feature of the car. Some good examples of keywords to use may include:

  • Super low mileage
  • New tires and brakes
  • Luxury interior
  • Excellent stereo system

Stay away from using things like power windows, power doors and cruise control in vehicle description headlines, as these are almost always standard on today’s vehicles and will likely do little to raise interest in your car.

While every seller wants to get the maximum amount possible for their vehicle, it’s also important to price it correctly. Keep in mind that the price that you should be asking probably won’t be what the resources like Kelley Blue Book and Black Book have it valued at, especially if it’s damaged.

You have to determine a price that reflects the issues the vehicle has, as well as what cars similar to yours are actually selling for. Bottom line: do your homework and be honest with yourself about the value of your vehicle. If your price is unrealistically high, it’s going to be very difficult to sell it.

Best Method For Scrapping Cars For Cash

The best sales professionals in the world all share one similar trait – they’re responsive. However, you don’t have to be a professional salesperson in order to carry out this task when you’re selling your car. When people are shopping for anything online – let alone a vehicle – they’re going to want questions answered in a timely manner.

That’s why if you’re selling your car online through a classified or auction, you should be certain that you’re able to communicate with potential buyers as soon as they reach out to you. This not only puts the buyer at ease with continuing to inquire about the transaction,

 but it also helps to build trust between the buyer and the seller. While most experts say you should respond within 48 hours, we’d advise you do so much quicker than that.

If you’re selling your car directly to CarBrain, speed is important, too. Offers are only guaranteed for 7 days. After that, they may change.

Selling your car online can be tricky, but if you do it the right way you can net high offers for your vehicle to make the extra work you put into the process more than worth your while. We’ll buy your car fast, with most vehicles purchased in 24 to 48 hours.

We’ll pick up your car and title for FREE and give you a check on the spot. No last-minute haggling. What we offer is what you’re paid. Click the button below to get a no-obligation, guaranteed offer from CarBrain.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Would I Get For Scrapping My Car?

Your scrap car’s value is dependent on several factors, including its year, make and model, its current condition, its size and your location. Current scrap metal prices in your area may also have an impact on your scrap value.

What Do You Do If You Scrap Your Car?

Start by contacting junkyards and scrap yards in your area. Ask them for quotes in order to get a rough idea of how much you will get from scrapping your car.

The next step is to prepare your car for sale. Clear out your belongings and, if necessary in your state, remove the license plates from your vehicle. Then it’s time to make a decision as to which junkyard to sell your vehicle to.

How Do You Determine The Salvage Value Of A Car?

Calculating the salvage value of a vehicle can vary. Some insurance companies will calculate the salvage value to be roughly 75 percent of a vehicle’s market value. However, some salvage yards may instead look at the year, make and model; the condition of the vehicle; and current scrap metal prices at the time of the sale.

Can I Get Same-Day Pick Up When I Sell My Scrap Car?

Getting your vehicle picked up on the same day may be difficult, unless you can bring the vehicle directly to the seller. Some yards do offer same day pick up services; you would just have to find them.

How Much Is My Scrap Car Worth In Cash?

Your scrap car’s value depends on things like current scrap metal prices in your area, the vehicle’s make, model, and condition, amongst other things. To get the best price for scrapping your car, you should describe it accurately, provide photos, and the Vehicle Identification Number.

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