Four Steps to Sell a Junk Car for Cash

It doesn’t take a professional to sell a junk car for cash. In fact, anyone with a vehicle that no longer is operational can find a buyer for their junk car and make some money in the process. That's good news because many communities have laws that make it illegal to keep a junk car after a certain amount of time has elapsed. Selling your junk car also helps the environment. Whoever buys the car will sell any valuable parts, such as the catalytic converter, engine and air-conditioner parts and then head to a recycling center to turn in the metal car frame for cash. That's much better than an entire car taking up space in a landfill. Here are four steps to follow to sell your junk car for cash:

• Run ads. Whether it's a classified ad in your local newspaper, or ads online from any of several websites that accept ads to buy or sell things either on a local or national basis, the cost usually is not too great. In some cases, you can pay once for an ad and run that ad until a buyer is found or the product is sold.
• Search for ads from buyers. Go to the same sources to look for businesses and individuals offering to buy junk cars. In addition, look up the salvage and scrap yards close to your home. Those businesses are most likely to be interested in buying junk cars. Don't stop if you find one business or one individual who pays cash for junk cars. Get the names of as many businesses and individuals as possible.
• Decide on delivery or pickup. Some businesses will offer to come to you and pick up the junk car with a tow truck and pay off in cash on the spot. That service makes the transaction pretty simple, but also reduces the price the business or individual will offer for your junk car. If it's not too difficult, you may want to arrange to drop off your junk car with the buyer to maximize the cash you will earn.
• Negotiate with buyers. It's not that difficult to sell a junk car for cash, but don't be too eager. If you're able to find more than one willing buyer, engage in some good old-fashioned haggling. Get an offer from one business or individual and see if the other potential buyers can beat that offer. Be up front and truthfully tell the potential buyers you are dealing with several people and will sell your junk car to the highest bidder.