Wondering how much a wrecker pays for your junk car? Having a scrap car pick up service in Prince George, BC, we’ve got all the information you need to decide whether or not to trade in your car – and what you should do with it.
Most people don’t realize that a junkyard will buy wrecked, old, or just plain unwanted vehicles (even if they’re not running) from private sellers outright.
Suppose you want some more money out of your old car but don’t have the time, patience, or inclination to deal with selling it privately. In that case, trading in is an excellent option. But first: how much can I get for my car at a junkyard?
How Much Do You Get for Wrecking a Car?
The value of scrap cars varies depending on the demand and quality of the parts. Typically it falls in a range from nothing (if something is worthless junk) to a few thousand dollars if someone really needs certain elements. For example, you can get 1,200 $ just for a catalytic converter. In other cases, you will get 50 $ for the weight of the metal.
How to Get the Most Cash for Your Junk Car
Sell Privately
If you’re selling your car privately, it is essential to know the value of your vehicle. By knowing how much a private buyer would pay for your vehicle, you can get an idea of what price range to list the vehicle so that it doesn’t go to waste time with a listing and have zero offers or, worse, no offers.
We’ve found that private buyers typically spend up to $3000 for a used vehicle, but this range can vary depending on the make and model of your car.
Trade it at the dealership
If you decide to trade in your car, the dealership can buy it from you for a set price. This means that they’ll pay what is called “wholesale value,” which is less than the retail market value of your vehicle. The difference between these two prices determines how much money the dealership can make for reselling your car. The benefit of trading in your old automobile is simplicity.
Sell to a Local Junkyard
If you decide to sell your car to a junkyard, the bottom price they will pay is based on the weight of the metal. The price per ton is typically around $100-120 depending on the current scrap metal prices. If you have to call a wrecker to tow your broken car from a hard-to-reach place, they won’t give you much money for it. However, you’ll be free of your useless junk.
How Do Wrecking Services Work?
-Contact the wrecker and let them know exactly which vehicle you’re selling. It’s essential to provide a VIN number, make, model, year of manufacture, mileage on the odometer (if applicable), any missing parts or accessories, as well as pictures of it, both interior and exterior, if possible.
-Gather up all your personal items from the vehicle. Your car’s upholstery and accessories are often worth more than you might think!
-Be prepared to answer any questions that the wrecker may have about your vehicles, such as their state of repair or missing parts.
-When dealing with junkyards, it is essential to remember that they will not pay total value for your car, but they will pay a reliable price.
Should I Sell, Scrap, or Trade My Car In?
If you’re on the fence about whether or not to trade in your vehicle, then there are some steps you can take before making that decision:
- Find out what your car is worth on websites like Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace and Cars.com
- Look for the best deals at private yards or local dealerships to trade in your vehicle
- If you want cash fast, know that you can get a good deal from a junkyard before scrapping it.
The bottom line is that you have options to compare prices to help you decide.
Which cars are worth more to a wrecker than others
The honest answer to that question is: it depends. The type of vehicle, the mileage on the odometer and whether or not there are any missing parts all factor into how much a wrecker pays for cars.
If you’re looking at what cars generally get people more money when sold to junkyards, here are some factors to consider:
The going price of scrap metal
The scrap metal market is a factor in the price of junk cars. When you’re selling your car to a junkyard, it’s essential to know that they base the basic value on the weight of the metal and not necessarily just what type or model. The going rate for recycling has an impact on how much money you’ll get from scrapping.
Working condition of the car
A car in good working order with low mileage will provide a better price than one that’s totally wrecked or has high mileage. Some junkyards are interested in cars they can fix up for resale, rather than selling the scrap metal or selling the parts. That means if you want to get more money for your vehicle from a junkyard, keep it in decent shape.
Type of car
Some cars just get more money from the scrap metal market than others, so knowing what you’re selling will help determine how much your vehicle might be worth to a wrecker. For example, SUVs and trucks tend to have better demand for their parts when sold.
Type and shape of the catalytic converter
If you consider whether to scrap or sell your car, it’s a good idea to get your catalytic converter checked as it may be worth the extra money. More often than not, these are due to the value of rare metals found in them.
Tires mounted on aluminum rims
Tires mounted on rims can often be a valuable commodity to someone looking to buy an older vehicle.
Due to the high cost and difficulty of finding decent, new tires these days, many car buyers are looking for used aluminum rims.
Tires mounted on aluminum rims can be worth a lot more money when it comes time to sell or trade-in your vehicle because they’re often in high demand.
Any known problems with the engine or electronics
A car engine is a big part of the value of a car. If an old car has problems with its engine, it will have issues when selling or trade-in for another vehicle at a dealership. The junkyard or wrecking company might not have valuable parts to resell. This can be problematic because it results in less money from selling your old junker.
What is the make and model of the car?
The most valuable parts are the engine and transmission. If a car is more than ten years old, these two components have depreciated significantly. The person selling their car might be able to get some money for body panels, electronics, exhaust systems and tires.
Will the wrecker have difficulty to tow your car?
A wrecking service will pay less money for an old car if it’s difficult to go get. For example, a truck with a useless engine and high mileage might be worth $100 to the junkyard but would take time and labor costs on their end to tow. They may offer only 50 $, or even nothing.
Is the car you are wrecking driveable?
If the car can start and is driveable, a wrecking service will pay more money. Vehicles that are still drivable usually have high-demand usable parts such as catalytic converters, tires, seats, or headlights. The most valuable part of a car is the engine, but if it’s not working, there isn’t much use in salvaging other parts.
Read more about what do scrap car removal services do.
What are some good reasons for getting cash for my junk car from a wrecker?
The best reason to scrap your vehicle is if you need quick and easy money. It’s hard to find buyers on the open market for used cars, so you’ll have to take what they offer. Some other good reasons are if your vehicle is in a state of disrepair or has been totalled, or needs extensive repairs that will be expensive to fix.
The pros and cons of selling your old car to a wrecker
- It’s quick and easy to get cash for your old vehicle.
- You can find out how much money they’ll give you before agreeing on anything.
- It’s an eco-friendly way of disposing of your old car
- Useable parts will be resold, therefore recycling our precious resources on earth that we too often take for granted.
- You free up some space on your property.
Cons of wrecking your car
- You might not be able to get as much money from advertising it on sites like Marketplace, Craigslist or Kijiji compared to what a junkyard would offer.
- You might get nothing if your car is totally useless.
Are you looking for a wrecker near you, in Prince George?
In Prince George, BC, we are one of the best places to sell your junk car. If you’ve been looking for a way to get rid of that rusty, old hunk-of-junk in your garage, I have some good news for you! We offer a free tow-away service and can pay cash on the spot. Some conditions apply, call us now for details.
📞Call to Sell your junk car for cash in Prince George
Frequently asked questions
How Do Wrecking Services Work?
The company pays cash for junk cars in some conditions. They can also tow the vehicle away, making it easy to get rid of an unwanted vehicle without worrying about a thing.
How Can I Sell My Car for Scrap?
To sell a car for scrap, you need to take it in person or phone the junkyard and let them know. They will then give an offer over the phone. If you require a company to come out and get your car, make sure that they have access to the vehicle through some form of the tow truck. Ensure that all paperwork is in order.
Should I Sell, Scrap, or Trade My Car In?
If you are looking to scrap your car, make sure the vehicle has salvageable parts. Salvageable parts are those which can be repaired and put back on a functioning vehicle. The most valuable part of the vehicle will always be its engine and other mechanical components such as the exhaust system, electronics and tires.