If you are looking to sell scrap cars for cash, there are a few directions you can take to make some real money from the recycling process. At the end of the day, which direction you choose will depend on how much time you have to spend (and how much money you want to make!). In this article, we have broken down four the main directions that you can take when scrapping a vehicle. They are listed in their order of difficulty (one being the easiest, four the hardest).
1. Scrapping the Whole Car
This direction is ideal for those looking to make money quickly or who just want to get that rusting vehicle out of their backyard. Whilst some recycling centres will be able to provide a towing service, others will require you to arrange this yourself. The centre will pay you the overall weight of the vehicle when it arrives. Depending on the laws of your state, you may be required to provide a clean title and driver’s license (to help prevent thefts and wrongful sale).
2. Scrap the Car & Catalytic Converter Separately
If you have some mechanical experience, you may have realised that the catalytic converter is a very valuable component and that it can make you a pretty penny at the recycling centre when you sell it separately. This is because the converter contains precious metals that will be processed and smelted down. They can fetch anywhere from $5 to $200 each. Before you go cutting the converter out of your car, however, it’s a good idea to ring the centre to determine its current value.
3. Separate Major Metal Classes & Parts
Whilst separating the various metals contained in your vehicle and scrapping them separately will take time, it’s also a great way to make money. You will generally find that those taking this direction have some experience with fixing, repairing or building cars (and their engines). A vehicle is comprised of a variety of metals and other materials, including: copper wire, aluminium engine blocks, steel doors, lead wheel weight, and aluminium rims (among others).
4. Salvage Parts & Sell Steel Separately
If you want to make the most money from your car, it can be worth salvaging it for parts and scrapping the steel separately. You will find that salvage yards are always on the lookout for new parts and pieces for particular vehicles that they can then resell for repairs. It should be noted, however, that this direction takes a lot of time and skill. It’s also a good idea to know the salvaged parts market, as this can ensure that you’re getting the best possible price for your time.
It is important that you have carefully considered which direction is appropriate if you want to sell scrap cars for cash – it will be a complete waste of your time to pick a direction that you simply don’t have the skills for. Whilst we hope that our outlines of the four main directions have enabled you to reach a final decision, if you have questions or are still unsure don’t be afraid to seek professional advice. They will be more than happy to help you out.