Have a Car That Doesn’t Run? Here’s How to Get the Most Money for It
Do you have a car in your garage or backyard collecting dust, wasp nests, or other gross things? If so, it could be time to get rid of it. After all, that pile of rubber and rusting metal isn’t going to appreciate in value anytime soon. However, you can still get a good amount of money for it if you clean it up and get rid of it. In that case, check out these ways to get the most money for your non-running car.
Parting out the car could be one of the best financial decisions
If you’re mechanically inclined, it could be worth parting out your non-running car. Some makes and models, like those from Honda and Toyota, are worth more apart than they are put together. In that case, taking out the seats, interior parts, and engine parts and selling them could be quite the money maker.
Sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are good places to sell car parts. If those don’t work, some junkyards may take the leftover parts. Also, you may be able to ship the bare shell off to a yard to get rid of it or perhaps even sell it.
Sell the car to a private party
If you’re not mechanically inclined and would rather sell the non-working car, you can post it on the local classified. Like selling car parts, we recommend posting the car on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to get some eyes on it. However, be wary of scammers.
The good part about going this route is that you can offload the entire car to someone who could use it for parts or fix it.
Is donating a car a good tax write off?
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of parting out your non-running car or selling it, donating it is another option. Some charities will even pick the car up from you, but they don’t pay you for it directly. Instead, you’ll get to write off the car’s paper value on your taxes next year while helping a good cause.
Fixing the car and selling it could work as well
Lastly, if you are both mechanically inclined and have the time and energy to sell the car, we suggest fixing and selling it. If your non-running car doesn’t need much work, fixing it could make it more valuable as a private party sale, which could fetch you more money for your efforts.
Having a non-running car in your backyard or garage doesn’t mean it needs to rot there for years and become a home to the wildlife lurking on your property. Instead, make it work for you in the afterlife by making you some money. If you follow these guidelines, you could get the top dollar for it.
