Whether you have a beater that you’ve ultimately beat up on hellacious commutes to work stuck in miles of traffic or a legitimate junk car that’s too costly to fix, there are some secrets on how to sell them and make a few bucks. Savvy sellers know what to do and how to unload them. What you may think is trash can be quickly turned into cash.
Residents of Los Angeles County, with clunkers, you can sell your junk car in Long Beach. Don’t waste your time and money paying someone to haul it away. Other more profitable ways exist to sell your wreck and pop some cash in your pocket.
5 Secrets To Selling Your Old Junk Car in California
Selling your old car can be made a bit easier if you make an effort to do a few little things upfront. What you’re selling determines which ones will work best for you. Older, beat-up cars that are still driveable can command more money than you thought, while true junk cars have few options for selling them. Either way, both can be sold by combining these 5 secrets.
Clean and Detail
Regardless of how old and weather-worn your car is, it will sell exponentially faster if its interior and exterior are spotless. Clean used vehicles give off the impression that their owners gave them plenty of TLC and most likely kept up with routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations. A prospective buyer will want to give it a test drive, so ensure the interior is clean. Pay special attention to all the nooks and crannies in the dashboard and center console.
Ensure that the car’s windows and windshield are crystal clear. This may not seem all that important, but incredibly clean windows will give off the right impression.
Gather up All Documents and Receipts
To sell and transfer ownership of a vehicle in California, you need to find its pink slip, also known as the vehicle’s title. Although this is probably the vehicle’s most valuable document, California also requires other information when selling a car. Knowing what information and documents are required for a smoother and less stressful selling transaction can save you a headache later.
Receipts for all vehicle repairs, upgrades, or preventative maintenance can help to trigger a sale from a finicky buyer. Proof that you’ve maintained the vehicle is a great way to sell a used car, even those with excessive mileage. Well-maintained cars typically have fewer problems, so proof that you’ve handled it is crucial.
Price It Appropriately
Before you sell your clunker, getting an overall idea of its worth is best. Price it too high, and it’ll never sell, price it too low, and you’ll leave money on the table. You can scan the typical sites that show used cars for sale and see if you can find your make, model, and year and see what they’re selling for.
Another option is to use one of the many online vehicle value calculators that are available and free to use. Once you know your vehicle’s resale value, you can price it appropriately. You’ll have the option of undercutting the competition for a faster sale or going for more profit by pricing it a bit higher.
Remove Anything Not Included in the Sale
Whether selling your used old car to a private individual, a junkyard, or a specialized junk car dealer, you should remove anything not included in the sale. Items can range from personal things like bracelets or other items hanging from the rearview mirror to the vehicle’s sound system, spare tire, and tools.
Removing these items well before attempting any kind of sale eliminates any potential misunderstandings that can cause a sale to fly south.
Know Who Your Buyers Are
Old cars come in two varieties. Some old cars are still running and can get you from point A to point B. And then there are old cars that aren’t running and require way more money to fix them than their resale value. Both types have value but will require different selling strategies.
- Private buyers – If your old junk car is still usable, your best option is to find a private buyer. You can post ads on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay Motors. If you have the time and patience to meet with buyers, this is a solid strategy to sell your clunker.
- Specialized dealer – California has dealers that solely specialize in buying both operable and inoperable junk cars. They give you a quote, and once you accept it, most will come to you and tow away the vehicle for free while leaving you with more cash than you most likely expected.
Secrets To Selling Your Old Junk Car: Final Thoughts
Specialized junk car dealers in California will buy any and all vehicles regardless of age, mileage, or condition. They’re by far the easiest way to get cash for difficult-to-sell vehicles. There’s no waiting for the right buyer with the cash and no dealing with Long Beach weirdos or tire kickers.
