Things to Know Before Junking Your Old Car

Dealing with an old, junk car that’s been sitting in your garage or yard for ages? It’s time to think about getting rid of it. 

However, before jumping into the process, you must know a few important things about junk car removal. 

Let’s break it down to ensure you make the right choices, save money, and even help the environment.

Let’s Get Straight to the Point

Before junk car removal, ensure you choose a licensed, environmentally responsible service that owns its tow trucks to avoid delays. 

Remove all personal items, remove the licence plates, and check for valuable parts. After the removal, organise the necessary documents and cancel your car insurance. 

Compare prices to get the best deal, ensure the weighing scales are accurate, and consider donating your car for a tax deduction. 

Hiring a professional service saves time, ensures safety, and improves the environment.

Things to Know Before Having a Junk Car Removed

1. Choose an Environmentally Responsible Junk Car Removal Service

Environmental impact is a key consideration when it comes to junk car removal. 

Old vehicles can be environmentally and health hazardous due to leftover automotive fluids, rust, and other dangerous materials.

• Ensure the junk car removal service uses eco-friendly methods for dismantling and recycling your vehicle.
• The best companies will have cutting-edge facilities that safely minimise carbon footprint and handle hazardous materials.

Tip: Ask about their recycling process to ensure your old car won’t be in a landfill.

2. Check if the Company Uses Its Own Tow Trucks

Not all car removal companies are created equal. Some companies rely on third-party tow trucks, which can lead to delays.

• Look for a reputable company that owns its tow trucks. This ensures they can offer same-day removal and avoid delays.
• Owning their equipment often signifies a more reliable and efficient service.

3. Look for Additional Benefits

A great junk car removal service will often go the extra mile. Here’s what you should expect:

• Assistance with deregistration: They should help you navigate the paperwork needed to deregister your vehicle.
• Handling official documents: Good companies will explain and ensure all paperwork is submitted correctly to the relevant authorities.

By choosing a company that offers these extra services, you’re not just getting rid of an old car—you’re making the process smoother and less stressful.

Important Steps to Take Before Junking Your Old Car

1. Get in Touch with a Certified Dealer

Ensure they are licensed and certified before selecting a junk car removal service. This is especially important to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate business.

• Ask to see their licences or check if they’re prominently displayed in their office.
• Choosing a certified service protects you from scams and ensures your car is recycled legally and safely.

2. Remove All Personal Items

Over time, your car might have accumulated personal belongings in the glovebox, boot, or other compartments. 

Make sure you:

• Remove all valuables and personal items before the car is towed.
• Double-check under seats and in storage areas to ensure nothing is left behind.

3. Take Off Your Licence Plates

While it might seem unnecessary, always remove the licence plates before removing your car. 

Even if your car is no longer usable, the plates remain valid and could be misused if left on the vehicle.

4. Extract Valuable Parts

Before handing over your vehicle, it’s wise to check for valuable components that could be sold separately. For instance:

• Batteries, tyres, and certain engine parts may still hold value.
• Check if the junkyard allows removing these parts and whether it will affect the final payout for your car.

5. Organise Your Documents

Although some junkyards don’t require extensive paperwork, having all ownership documents in order is best. 

This is particularly important if you’re transferring the title or ensuring your name is removed from the vehicle.

• Ensure the ownership transfer is clear and complete to avoid legal or insurance issues later.

Cancelling Insurance and Final Preparations

1. Cancel Your Car Insurance

As soon as you’ve finalised the sale or removal of your car, don’t forget to cancel your car insurance. This ensures you won’t be charged for a car you no longer own.

2. Compare Prices

Not all junk car removal services offer the same payout. It’s worth shopping around to get the best price:

• Check with local dealers and compare their offers.
• Ensure the company uses accurate and certified scales to weigh your car fairly. Some companies might try to underpay by using outdated or inaccurate weighing systems.

Consider Donating Your Car

While selling your car for cash is the obvious choice, donating it to a charity is also worth considering. Not only will you get a tax deduction, but you’ll also be doing a good deed.

• Many charities accept old cars, even if they are no longer roadworthy.
• The process is often easier than selling the car, as they handle all the paperwork.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Junk Car Removal Service

Hiring a professional service brings several advantages, particularly when compared to doing it yourself or hiring a cheap removal service:

1. Convenience

A professional company will handle everything from towing to paperwork. This means you won’t have to worry about finding transport or dealing with registration issues.

2. Safety

Dealing with an old, junk vehicle can pose health risks. There may be toxic materials, sharp metal edges, or other hazards. A professional service has the right tools and knowledge to handle your vehicle safely.

3. Cost Savings

By hiring professionals, you can avoid the hidden costs of doing it yourself—such as renting a tow truck or paying for proper disposal. The convenience of having everything done for you also saves time.

4. Environmental Impact

A reputable service will know the legalities of recycling and disposing of your car in an environmentally friendly way. They’ll recycle what can be reused and properly dispose of hazardous materials.

Conclusion

Getting rid of an old car can be a hassle, but with the right information and the right junk car removal service, it doesn’t have to be. 

Remember to:

• Choose a service that uses eco-friendly methods and owns its tow trucks.
• Always remove personal items and valuable parts before the car is taken away.
• Organise your documentation, compare prices, and consider donating your car for a tax break.

Following these tips ensures the junk car removal process is efficient, profitable, and hassle-free.

Frequently Asked Questions about Junk Car Removal

1. What should I do before having my junk car removed?

Before removing junk cars, remove personal items and license plates and check for valuable parts that can be sold separately. Additionally, organise necessary documents like the title and cancel your car insurance after the car is picked up.

2. How do I choose the right junk car removal service?

Choose a licensed and certified junk car removal service that uses eco-friendly recycling methods and owns its tow trucks for faster service. Make sure they provide transparent pricing and assistance with paperwork.

3. Can I remove valuable parts from my car before junking it?

Yes, many junkyards allow you to remove valuable parts like batteries, tyres, and engine components. However, it’s important to check with the removal service to see if this will affect the final payout for your car.

4. Why is using an environmentally responsible junk car removal service important?

Using an eco-friendly junk car removal service ensures that hazardous materials, like old automotive fluids, are handled properly and recycled responsibly, preventing environmental harm.

5. Should I compare prices before choosing a junk car removal service?

Comparing prices from different junk car removal services helps ensure you get the best payout. Also, make sure the service uses accurate, certified scales to avoid being underpaid.