Has your car finally come to the end of its lifespan? In a pickle as to what the next steps are when it comes to getting rid of your old vehicle? Before looking towards purchasing your brand new hatchback car or SUV, there are a few steps you will need to take to get rid of your current vehicle. Today, we're having a look at what you can do when your car breaks down for good. Read on to find out more!
Empty It Out
Cars are very much like homes - you don't even realise how many of your personal belongings are strewn around until the time has come to say goodbye and move on to your next vehicle. Whatever kind of car you own, chances are you've stored a few items in your vehicle, so the first step to ridding yourself of a broken down car is to clean it out.
Before you can sell your car off or scrap it, you will need to ensure that you have removed all your personal belongings that may be in the trunk, ledge, under floor mats, in the glove box and anywhere else that you have stored items in. Even if you're going to junk your car, always remember that a salvage yard is not a dumpster and cannot be expected to throw your items away for you.
Can Any Parts Be Salvaged?
Before scrapping or selling your car, it is essential that you look out for any parts that you may be able to salvage. This is especially important when you've priced your car for merely its scrap value as you'll be able to remove some valuable components from the car which you can then sell for some extra money. If you have pricey tires that are still in good condition, consider purchasing some cheaper wheels and swapping them out. Other items to look out for are the car battery, stereo systems and GPS devices that you can resell for a good amount of money.
Don't Forget Your License Plate!
When selling your car to a salvage yard, you want to ensure that you remove your license plate before your car is towed away. Depending on which state you live in, rules will differ when it comes to what you should do with your license plate. In most states, you can return the license plate to your motor vehicle registration company. If you'd like to reuse the license plate, you will be required to pay a fee. Fees differ depending on what state you are in and what kind of license plate you own. Always call your motor vehicle registration company to inquire on your individual circumstances.
Get Your Titles In Order
Before junking your car, you will be required to get all your titles in order. This means cancelling your car registration and insurance if it is still valid, and most importantly, transferring ownership to the salvage yard. Should you fail to transfer ownership to the salvage yard, you may be liable for any liabilities incurred as you will technically still be the owner of the car.
Settle For An Agreeable Price
Whether you're selling your car to a salvage yard or an individual, it is important that you come to an agreement as to how much you will be selling the car for. Before doing this, you will need to provide accurate details about your vehicle's model, mileage, and current condition in order for them to come up with a realistic quotation to offer you. If you are satisfied with what you are being offered, you can then proceed to arrange for a pickup time at your convenience.
We hope that this article has given you some useful insight into how you can go about getting rid of your car when it breaks down for good.