What to do with a car that is not worth fixing?

Auto Repair, Oil Change, Oil, Auto, Shop, Repair, Work

Have you been in an accident that your expensive SUV or Sedan is pretty damaged? It’s a tribble situation to be in! You look at your car, it is fully crushed, airbags are opened, the engine is smoking from under the hood. You are devastated, doing the math in your head and wondering what to do with your car that is not worth fixing anymore! Definitely, at that moment you are panicking and don’t know what exactly you should do.

How to know your car is not worth repairing?

Accidents are not the only cases that you are in the situation of not knowing that your car isn’t worth fixing! There are many other mechanical issues that are too expensive to repair. Engine failure and other major problems require costly repairs. But how to know if your car is worth fixing or not? It is simple! when the repair costs outweigh the value of the car, then your car isn’t worth fixing.

Here is some idea to find out if your car is worth fixing

ASK FOR A REPAIR QUOTE

ُIf you don’t have a repair estimate how can you find out how much the cost will be? You should get three or more quotes from different stores just to be sure your estimation is correct. Just make sure you consider all the repair and labor costs and the shop is giving you an official quote that covers everything.

CHECK IF YOU CAN DO THE WORK YOURSELF

You can do the many basic repairs by yourself. Just with a simple youtube search, you will see how easy some non-expert replacements are. Just get the right part and follow the steps from the video guidelines. Most of the times shops charge you more for the parts and replacement cost is also high. For example, for a simple headlight bulb replacement, they may charge you $40 for the bulb and $40 for the replacement. You can find the same bulb on amazon or other online stores for a cheaper price and the replacement only takes 2 minutes and is very simple.

DO SOME RESEARCH

Look in the second-hand market for the expensive parts. Sometimes you can find good deals for even brand new vehicles part. Some people sell their car parts for a fair price just because the engine is blown, since the engine is one of the most expensive car parts they decide to part out their car instead of a replacement just. Search the expensive parts and components that you need on Kijiji or other second-hand marketplaces. You can find airbag components, transmission system components, and other expensive car parts for a cheap price.

When is the time that your car may not be worth fixing?

When your car is too old or you did the math and found out that repairing cost is higher than the value of your car then it is not worth fixing.

Now what are the options? What you can do to lower the damage?

There are two options:

Is it better to scrap a car or sell it?

Old, Truck, Ford, Transport, Automotive, Junk, Rusted

Getting rid of your old vehicle oftentimes leads you to a crossroads on which path is best taken. The first is to scrap your car, while the second is to sell it. Car owners are faced with the following questions to help them decide:

  • How can I scrap or sell my used vehicle?
  • What’s the difference between scrapping and selling my car?
  • How much can I get from scrapping my car instead of selling it?

The process of scrapping or selling your car depends on the city or country that you’re living in, as there are various laws and ordinances that you have to be wary of. Here in Ontario, you will need specific documents for selling your used vehicle. While there are various advantages and disadvantages to each option, it will all boil down to your preferences and/or needs at the moment. The rates that you’ll get for scrapping and selling your used car also adjust for different variables.

Scrapping/Selling your used car in Ontario

Once you have decided to let go of your used vehicle, it’s time to know the proper way to dispose of it, whether by scrapping it or selling it. To scrap a car in Ontario, you will need to arrange your car’s original ownership documents, together with a bill of sale prepared by the scrap yard company. The bill of sale will be yours to keep as an official record.

However, when selling your car in Ontario, more documentation is required for a safer transaction. These measures are intended to protect both you and the junkyard company from legal repercussions.

Before selling your used vehicle, you will need to acquire a used vehicle information package and ensure that your vehicle identification number (VIN) is aligned with the one on your green ownership document. Furthermore, you have to check and make sure that your car does not have any outstanding money owing on it.

For the actual transaction, you will have to provide the buyer with the used vehicle information package, a bill of sale signed with your name, your buyer’s name and address, as well as the date and time of the transaction. You will also need to give a signed application for transfer and a safety standards certificate. You will get to keep your license plates and the “plate portion” of your ownership permit.

Scrapping vs Selling your used car

Scrapping and selling your car both have their pros and cons, and it really just depends on your preferences. Some determining factors when selling a car include:

Safe transaction

This is one of the most important variables that you must consider when getting rid of your old vehicle. There’s a reason why regulations are put in place when you scrap or sell your car. It’s for you and your community’s safety. While there are a number of websites that regulate listings for various properties, including used vehicles, it would still take a lot of research for you to be sure that you are engaging in a legitimate transaction. SmartScrap, for the most part, are registered businesses. So you can be confident that every transaction is safe and regulated.

Quick transaction

When it comes to a hassle-free transaction, scrapping your car provides more convenience compared to selling it on the market. You just have to show up at the junkyard with all the necessary documents, negotiate the price, and then it’s sold! Some companies even offer digitized services for a safer transaction, as well as free towing services. Selling your car, however, takes a bit more of your time as you have to do intensive research on the market, the legitimacy of the buyer, additional documentation, and more.

Cash payout

The amount you’ll get when you scrap your car or sell it privately will depend on various factors. Junkyards look for certain variables when determining the quotation for a SmartScrap, including its make, model, and year. Other factors include your car’s overall weight, the amount of metal left in the car, and the current value of scrap metal in the market.

When selling your used car privately, it’s ideal to look at institutions like the Canadian Black Book or the Kelley Blue Book to get an idea of the current market value of your used car. However, you also have to consider its condition before setting an asking price. Most buyers will try to negotiate that price point, and you must also think about additional costs before making the sale, such as advertising and marketing costs.

Environment concerns

It can be argued that both options have their own advantages in being an environmentally friendly option, with car scrapping having its own regulations and ethical standards that help promote environmentally friendly practices such as recycling and proper waste management. Selling used vehicles, meanwhile, can help minimize the production of new cars.

Preparing for SmartScrap to buy my car

Sometimes you just need cash fast. Maybe you get an unexpected bill or home maintenance cost, spring cleaning, or you just really need a vacation NOW. When you need cash fast, SmartScrap comes through. We’re the fastest, easiest, awesomest way to sell your used car for cash (like now).

so, you’ve accepted our offer

You’ve answered some questions, received your instant offer, accepted said offer, created your account and finalized the deets, easy peasy. Yay! At this point, we’ll hook you up with one of our picker-upper partners who will contact you to schedule your pickup. This generally happens within a few days, if not right away.

Scrap Press, Scrap Yard, Junk Press, Scrap Baling Press

get paid at pickup

When the tow truck comes for the pickup, they’ll give your car a quick once over and check some boxes to make sure it’s as you say it is (this just takes a few mins). At this point you’ll hand over your keys and your title (if that was part of our agreement), and the driver will hand you a check. If you are unable to be present at the time of pickup, or if it’s inconvenient for you to receive a check at that time, we can also arrange to have your payment sent by mail, as soon as your pickup is confirmed.

easy as pie, right?

At SmartScrap, our #1 goal is to make every step of the cash-for-cars process fast, easy, and enjoyable—and that, of course, includes getting paid. We hope you enjoy your money. <3

SmartScrap Experiences

Some famous guy once wrote, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Apparently, no one introduced this man to SmartScrap because there’s no sadness in using our service to part with your car. Quick and easy, we keep the process of selling your used car online as sorrow-free as possible.

Here’s some stuff you should know before selling your car for the sweet, sweet cash you desire (especially once you accept an offer).

once you’ve accepted an offer…

To recap, you’ve answered a dozen-ish questions about your car, our system assessed its market data instantly, and we generated a solid offer for you in minutes. Soon, you’ll join the ranks of many thousands of happy car owners who have said “Yes, yes, yes, I will sell my car online with SmartScrap !” But first, you’ll need to…

create an account

Congratulations! You’ve accepted our offer and everything is coming up roses. Now, in order to set up your free pickup, you’ll need to create an account. To complete your profile, we’ll ask you to provide the following information:

  • Your name
  • Address
  • Phone number (you can opt-in to receive text notifications and updates)
  • The color of your car
  • Your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • The state in which your title was issued
  • The owner’s name on the title
  • Confirm if you can sign and notarize the title
  • Confirm the presence or absence of any outstanding liens

schedule your pickup

Once we have all your info, we will contact one of our picker-upper partners to come and fetch your car (and give you a check). You’ll be contacted by phone to schedule a pickup time that’s convenient for you.

Junk Yard, Cars, Yard, Junk, Old, Metal, Recycling

get things in order (days before pickup)

Before our driver arrives, be sure to clear out any personal belongings.

It’s also super important to have all the necessary keys and documentation in hand, including your title, if you have it. If you don’t have a title, don’t worry. We may have buyers that purchase cars without a title or even keys. Just make sure to let us know in advance.

We highly recommend locating your title well in advance of your pickup. (You’d be surprised how many people THINK they know where it is and then can’t find it when pickup day comes.)

If you are selling your car with a title, some states require your title to be notarized. If you live in one of those states, or if your title was issued in one of those states, be sure to have that done beforehand.

get ready for pickup (today’s the day!)

Be sure to park your car in a spot that is easily accessible by a tow truck. And have a screwdriver handy for removing your license plates.

When our driver arrives, they’ll do a quick inspection of your car and check the boxes to confirm the info you provided is legit. Assuming everything checks out, our driver will hand over the payment you accepted in your offer on the spot. Your car will be towed away. And you’ll be free of its burden. You’ll receive an email confirming your transaction details, which you can use as proof of sale for any post-sale paperwork required by your state.

why should you work with SmartScrap?

We know that selling your used car can be a hassle. That’s why we’ve done everything in our power to keep the process smooth, simple, and quick. At SmartScrap, there are no bells and whistles. There are no gimmicks, red tape, or hidden agendas.

We buy used cars. Like really, really used. All you have to do is:

  1. Answer some questions about your car
  2. Receive an instant offer
  3. Accept the offer within seven days
  4. Create an account and schedule your free pickup
  5. Accept your $$$ when we take your car
  6. Eat celebratory tacos (optional, but recommended)

That’s it. We operate online in all 50 states, so you can sell your used car anywhere, anytime, with zero hassle or headache. We’ll even buy your car if it’s registered in a different state than the one it’s in.

And, best of all, our service is completely free. Get an offer with no obligation. Think about it for up to seven days. And no hidden fees or hoops are lying in wait to surprise you (unlike other companies we know).

So if you find yourself saying, “I wish someone would buy my car,” but you don’t know where to start—hello, it’s nice to meet you, we’re SmartScrap and we’ll buy even the junkiest of the junk cars. We’ve got big bucks for your beater, cool cash for your clunker, and sweet dough for your dinosaur.

Are you ready to take the next step?

Sell your car online today.