Before You Hand Over The Keys
Once youve gotten a firm grasp on where and how youd like to sell your junk car, theres more work to be done. Just because youve shaken hands on a deal doesnt mean you should quickly walk away. Take a little extra time to ensure that everythings in order:
Need a new car after you sell your old one? Head over to our Used Car Listings page. Every car there comes with a free Carfax Vehicle History Report.
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How To Prepare Your Car To Sell
Addressing anything broken, from cracked windshields to noisy exhaust pipes will help you prepare your car for selling. That is, unless you plan to sell your car as is at a reduced price.
Another way to prep your car is to get it professionally detailed. This is one more way to reassure potential buyers that theyre getting a clean car. A professionally detailed car could help you increase the sales value.
Information Needed To Estimate Your Cars Worth
To calculate the value of your car, youll have to take a couple of factors into consideration:
- What is the make, model, and year?
- How good or bad is the interior, exterior, and mechanical condition?
- Whats the mileage?
- What are the features? Have you upgraded anything? If so, how does that increase its market value?
- Whats the demand for your vehicle in your local market?
These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before putting your vehicle up for sale. The more you know about your vehicle, the better youll be able to calculate its value and your negotiations will benefit from it.
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How To Get The Most Money When You Sell Your Junk Car
Maybe its your beloved rusty ride from high school, or your trusty old commuter car that requires one major repair too many. Whatever the cause, youre stuck with a junk car and you need to sell it.
At Carfax, were focused on vehicle data, and we know how a cars condition and history affect its value, even one thats ready for the junkyard. We help millions of people every day buy or sell the right car at the right price.
What can you do with a car that doesnt run, or a vehicle that seems too worn out to be of any value? How can you make sure you get the maximum amount of cash for your junk car? Lets examine the steps you should take, and your options.
Calculating Per Month Depreciation
On average, vehicles lose 1% of their market value each month. To estimate how much value your car has lost over the months, subtract the car’s current market value from its purchase price.
Before you divide the total by the number of years youve used your vehicle, remember to subtract sales taxes and additional fees from the total.
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Fix It Or Disclose It
If your car has obvious mechanical problems, you need to address those either by getting them fixed or simply pointing them out to the prospective buyer. While a private party might want a car that has no problems at all don’t we all? dealers will typically expect the car to have some mechanical issues. The fact is, they have the ability to repair those faults much less expensively than you do, and they expect to do some vehicle prep before they retail the car on their lot. So, if you are going to sell your car to a dealer it is much less important that the vehicle be in near-perfect condition.
How Much Is My Car Worth
The first step in getting the most value when you sell your car is understanding its approximate worth. The vehicle’s model year, brand, model, mileage, and overall condition are key factors in determining what it is worth.;
Happily, there is a free resource that takes all the necessary factors into account. By visiting NADAGuides.com and entering a few pertinent facts about your current car, you will be presented with an array of useful price/value information. Included among them are rough, average, and clean trade-in values , the “clean retail” value, and a certified pre-owned value.;
If you plan to trade your car in as you purchase a new vehicle you can expect to receive the appropriate trade-in value. Similarly, if you sell your car to a dealer you can expect to receive something close to the trade-in value. These are essentially wholesale prices that provide a margin of profit to the dealer when they retail the used car.;
If you plan to sell your car to a private party you can expect to get a price like the “clean retail” value, since you are selling to the end-user.;
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All Cars Are Picked Up And Delivered
As long as you live in the lower 48 states, Vroom will pick up your vehicle at your house or anywhere thats convenient for you. After pick-up, Vroom processes your payment, and youll receive a check within two to three business days. Its worth mentioning that if youre trading in your car, Vroom may not be able to deliver your new car at the same time it picks up your old car.
Buy Or Sell A Used Vehicle In Ontario
Know the steps you need to take to buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario.
Before you sell a used vehicle, you need to:
- buy a Used Vehicle Information Package
- make sure that the Vehicle Identification Number on your vehicle matches the number on your permit
- check to ensure the vehicle has no money owing on it
When you sell your vehicle, you need to;give the buyer:
- the Used Vehicle Information Package
- a signed Bill of Sale with your name, the buyers name and address, the date and purchase price
- a completed and signed Application for Transfer this is found on the back of an ownership permit, under the vehicle portion
- a certificate that verifies the vehicle meets safety standards
- you will need to get this from a licensed mechanic
- look for a green and white sign with Ontario Motor Vehicle Inspection Station on it
You keep:
- your licence plates
- the plate portion of your permit
- you will need this if you want to register your plates on another vehicle
- you can also request a refund for any full months left on your plate stickers
Finding out if money is owed on a vehicle
A Used Vehicle Information Package will tell you if there is any debt/money owing on your vehicle.
If there is a lien on the vehicle, you can contact the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, Personal Property Security Branch, for more information:
Toronto area:
Before buying a used vehicle you should:
When you buy a vehicle, ensure the seller gives you:
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Should I Sell Or Trade In My Car
The decision to sell your car for cash or trade it in can depend on a few factors. But it’s important for car owners to understand what they’re leaving on the table if they decide to trade in a vehicle because it’s more convenient.
Here’s what you need to know and how to determine which path is the best for you.
How Do I Finalize A Private Used Car Sale
Youve found a buyer thats agreed to buy your used car. Now youre ready to hand over the keys but before you do, you need to officially finalize the sale. Each Canadian province has different regulations when it comes to transferring ownership. Be prepared with the required documents such as a used vehicle information package , safety standard certificate, bill of sale, emissions / Drive Clean test, transfer/tax form, etc. Depending on where you live, the requirements are different, so weve compiled the steps and information that you need to know, as well as provided links to the appropriate websites. When in doubt, its always best to contact your provincial government to make sure you and the buyer have covered your bases.
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Copper: Found In Your Scrap Cars Wiring Starter Alternator And Other Components
A similar pattern can be seen in copper prices. Starting at $6031 in January, hitting a low of $5058 in April, and then roaring back to $7972 in January 2021, copper increased by nearly a third since the beginning of last year. Once again, this increases the value of the copper content in your scrap car if this pricing trend continues to be supported by the metals markets.
How We Assign Value To Your Vehicle
The appraisers at our affiliate dealerships inspect every part of your car, truck, van, or SUV in order to give you fair value for your trade-in. We assess your rides physical condition based on the following:
- Exterior and Interior Condition
- Mechanical Issues
- Year and Mileage of Your Vehicle
They will then take this information and pop it into our exclusive optimization system. Thats right, there are no guessing games here. Weve done this so many times weve worked out a formula for it. This system then takes into account a few other factors:
- Maintenance history of your vehicle
- Technical bulletins regarding your vehicle
- Current market conditions
When this is all done, we present you with a no-obligation offer. Take it or leave it, the power is in your hands!
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Current Price Of Scrap Metal
This factor isnt one that most regular car owners would think about, but it actually plays a huge role in determining the going rate of a junk car. Even cars that arent worth salvaging can be turned into scrap metal. The average car contains about 2,400 pounds of steel and 300 pounds of aluminum, after all, and all that metal can be sold and recycled into new products.
The catch is that the price of scrap metal varies widely from year to year. Its all based on the supply and demand of steel and aluminum. For example, when supply for metal is high and demand is low, prices will also be low. Prices also vary for the same reasons depending on the local market.
What Can Affect A Car’s Valuewhen You Think About What Might Affect The Value Of Your Car You Might Say The Year The Car Was Made Or How Many Miles Its Done In Actual Fact Your Cars Value Can Be Affected By Lots Of Different Things Both Good And Bad This Can Mean A Difference Of Thousands Of Pounds To The Final Sale Price So Its Good To Get An Idea Of Where Your Car Might Rank
Things that can increase a car’s value
- No damage – Probably one of the most obvious factors to consider is how much damage the car has. A car in excellent condition with minimal to no damage or markings can fetch a top price.
- Complete service history– A full service history record for the car can increase its value as potential buyers can see that the car has been regularly serviced and taken care of.
- The car’s colour – Some colours are more desirable than others to prospective buyers. So a car with a sought-after colour will sell for more than a car with a less desirable colour. Because different colours are popular on different models, it probably isnt worth splashing out on a respray.
- Additional features – Cars that have extra features such as a built-in sat nav, dash cam, rear-parking camera or a multimedia system can fetch a much higher selling price.
- How the car is sold – How and where a car is sold can affect its value. Selling your car through Confused.com means youll get a quick and easy sale with minimal fuss and possibly get a better deal than through a private sale.
Things that can reduce a car’s value
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Add Are Auto Trader Car Valuations Accurate
Yes, Auto Traders car valuation tool will give you an accurate market value for your car. To ensure our prices are accurate, update our car valuations daily and combine data from:
Copyright © Auto Trader Limited 2021.Auto Trader Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to consumer credit and insurance mediation activities. Our FCA firm reference number is 735711.Auto Trader Limited is a credit broker and not a lender. Representative finance examples are for illustrative purposes only. Finance is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Available to 18s and over. UK residents only. Auto Trader receives a fee from retailers advertising finance and may receive a commission from commercial partners for introducing customers to finance products. These fees and commissions do not influence the amount a customer pays.
Con: More Work And Time
Selling a car to a private party can require considerable work on your part. You may have to gather documents like your cars title and maintenance records, determine a fair selling price, clean and list it, screen potential buyers, and even go on test drives. And after youve done all that and found a buyer, theres a bunch of paperwork you need to complete so that the buyer can register the vehicles title in their name.
Selling your car to a private party might take a while, depending on the type of vehicle you have and the local used-car market. During this time, you may need to keep your car registered and continue to pay for car insurance. If you need cash quickly to buy a new car or to help pay down a new car loan, selling your car privately might not be the best move for you.
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Option #: Sell It To Carmax
If you have a CarMax in your area, this is definitely an option. CarMax advertises that they will purchase any car in any condition a fact that I can verify personally.
You can schedule an appraisal online, then bring the car into the store. They will complete the appraisal in about 30 minutes, then make you a written offer. The offer will be good for seven days, which gives you a full week to shop around for another car, confident that you will have an exact amount of money from the sale of your current car.
You can sell your car to CarMax even if you dont buy a car from them. If and when you decide to go ahead with the sale, they will pay you by bank draft. This is one of the quickest, easiest and cleanest ways to sell a car, no matter what your circumstances might be. They wont give you top dollar for your car, but it will be an easy sale.
We recently had a 17 year old van with more than 150,000 miles on itand in bad shape. We were moving out of state, and the van wouldnt make the 1,000+ mile trip. In fact, the ride to CarMax to get a written estimate was probably the last run the vehicle would ever make. Translation: we were desperate to unload the van.
How To Sell A Car
No matter how and where you sell your car, there are a few tips you can follow to maximize your return. First, make certain your car looks good. Wash it, wax it and do all you can to give it great “curb appeal.” You want the prospective buyer be it an individual or a dealer to want that car. Looks matter.
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How Long Does The Process Take
We know the idea of selling your car online can be a daunting experience, and that’s why the process selling with CarGurus Pay is safe and simple with just three steps: list your vehicle, find a buyer, and transact on the platform. Listing your car or truck takes only minutes. Our pricing tool and communication channel will help you reach the broadest audience. In the meantime, make sure to verify your drivers license and setup your payment method to speed up the process. Once you found a buyer and agreed on a price, we have a guided tool to walk you through the transaction process in less than an hour! If you opted to use CarGurus Pay for secure payment, it may take up to 3 business days to receive your cash.
What Can Impact My Used Car Value
The value of a car depends on factors including its history, mileage and condition. Accident history impacts auto value, so make sure youre aware of everything thats happened in the vehicles lifetime, and be transparent about that information with the buyer. Did you know 61% of buyers are open to a car thats been in an accident? Being upfront with the information will help you build trust with the buyer, and give them the tools they need to make sure any damage has been properly repaired. A CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report is designed to build this transparency and can help you back up the information youve provided.
When looking to sell your car, keep in mind these factors, they can also impact the value of a vehicle:
- Colour
- Recent replacement of brakes, battery etc.
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