Selling a Scrap Car in Toronto: A Guide for Maximizing Your Return

If you’re looking to get rid of an old, damaged, or unwanted car, you may be wondering how to sell it for the most money. Scrap cars can be a great source of extra cash, but only if you sell them in the right way. In this blog, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to sell a scrap car in Toronto.

Step 1: Determine the Value of Your Scrap Car

The first step in selling a scrap car is to determine its value. There are several factors that influence the value of a scrap car, such as its make, model, age, and condition. The most important factor is the car’s weight, as scrap dealers often pay based on the weight of the metal. You can use online resources like Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides to get a rough estimate of your car’s value.

Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Vehicle

Before you can sell your scrap car, you need to clean it and remove any personal belongings. A clean vehicle will not only make it easier for buyers to inspect the car, but it will also give you a better chance of getting a higher price. Make sure you have all necessary documents, such as the title and registration papers, ready for the sale.

tep 3: Find a Buyer

The next step is to find a buyer for your scrap car. There are several options available in Toronto, including scrap dealers, salvage yards, and junk car removal companies. You can search online for local scrap car buyers or check the Yellow Pages for a list of local businesses. Before you choose a buyer, make sure you compare prices and check their reputation to ensure you get the best deal.

Step 4: Negotiate the Price

Once you have found a buyer, you need to negotiate the price. Contact the buyer and get a quote for your car. Compare the quotes from different buyers and negotiate the price to get the best deal. Be prepared to provide the buyer with information about the car’s condition and any relevant documentation.

Step 5: Complete the Sale

Once you have agreed on a price, sign the necessary paperwork and transfer the title to the buyer. Make sure you receive payment in full before releasing the vehicle. In most cases, scrap car buyers will arrange for the car to be towed away at no cost to you.

In conclusion, selling a scrap car in Toronto is a great way to get rid of an old or unwanted vehicle while making some extra cash. By following these steps, you can maximize your return and ensure a smooth and hassle-free transaction. Good luck with your sale!

How To Scrap a Car In Ontario?

There are plenty of scrap yards around GTA that can help you scrap your car. Almost all of them have a website and online quoting system like our website carscrapremoval.ca. So you can request an online and get your car scrapped anytime soon. But before getting a quote read this to find out how to scrap a car in Ontario.

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Step 1, Take out your personal stuff

By scrapping your car, you are actually selling your car to an auto recycler. So, before sending your car to the scrapyard, make sure to take out all your personal belongings and garbage. Check under the seat, trunk, and everywhere carefully. Make sure nothing valuable is left behind. 

Step 2, Prepare your vehicle ownership

Locate your vehicle ownership document. You need the ‘vehicle portion’ that exists on the left part of the vehicle ownership document. At the back of the ownership document, you’ll need to put your signature and the name of the buyer later. Plus you need this information for getting a quote also.

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Step 3, Remove your license plates

Remove your vehicle’s license plates. You can either return them to Service Ontario and get credit for the remaining months or install them on a new vehicle. If you don’t have the right tools to do so, you can ask the scrap car removal expert to help you out.

International Insurance Quote - Information needed for quote

Step 4, Get an online quote

Search for scrapyards near you. There are several scrap car removal companies in Ontario that provide online quoting. Fill out the form and, to get the best quote, explain your car’s condition. You can get a quote by phone call also. They will schedule a pick-up at your convenience.

When Should I scrap my car?

Auto wrecking yard with orange van, crushed red convertible and white pickup truck between scrap metal

Long-time car owners often ponder When should I scrap my car and send it to the junkyard. This decision, however, is not as easy as it sounds, especially for vehicles that have lasted for years with the owner. Whether it’s for practical reasons or even sentimental reasons, some owners have a hard time deciding on when to scrap their cars. What are the red flags that tell you your car has to go to the junkyard? When is the best time to let them go?

When Is the Right Time to Scrap My Car?

There are key indicators that you can take note of to help you decide if it’s the right time to sell your car to scrap buyers. Some factors may include old age, market trends, safety reasons, and more. It’s important to note that each vehicle has its limits. The life of a vehicle also depends on the purpose for which it is used. It could have been for personal use or for business purposes such as transportation or delivery.

Today, we’ll talk about how we can help you determine if your car’s due to the junkyard and all the signs and initial indicators you’ll need to know.

What are the signs telling you that it’s time to let your car go?

Watch out for these 5 indicators to help you decide if it’s time to sell your car to a scrap buyer:

1- It’s become a nuisance to you already.

If your old car has been sitting in the garage for way too long, then you can consider sending it to a junk car removal company near you. Scrapping a car may be a safe way to get rid of old cars because Ontario has rules and regulations as well as proper standards, in place to make sure that the transactions are safe for the environment.

2- High maintenance

This is a common occurrence in old cars, and at some times, you wouldn’t even notice that you have surpassed the cost of repairs against your vehicle’s current market value. Reassess your expenditures to help you decide and take the practical route.

3- Safety issues

Needless to say, if your old vehicle starts showing faulty performance that is difficult to repair, consider letting it go already. Newer models have updated safety features to make you’re driving more comfortable and easier, as well as reduce the potential damage from unforeseen accidents.

4- Current market value

You can also look up sites like the Kelley Blue Book and the Canadian Black Book for the updated market value of your vehicle. It’s advisable to do your research on market trends in metals as well. Since these are some of the factors scrapyard owners look for in a scrap car, along with salvageable parts left, you can still bargain for a much better deal for your scrap car.

5- Mileage

This is one of the most common indicators you should look into to help you assess your car’s condition. If your car’s engine and/or transmission haven’t been replaced after reaching 150,000 to 200,000 km, or roughly up to fifteen years, then you should consider retiring your vehicle because there’s a high chance that the defects will start to show up.

When is the best time to take your car to the scrapyard?

While it’s always a difficult choice to let go of something that holds value to you, it’s also important to note that an old, used vehicle could also mean hazardous tendencies, not only for you as the owner, but for those with whom you share the road with. To avoid further accidents in these instances, Ontario has established requirements for private and commercial vehicles to ensure safety standards are met.

If the majority of those factors listed above check your boxes, then maybe it’s time to finally decide to scrap your car for money. We can attest that the safety, functionality, and comfort of your old car will just lead to further trouble and headaches in the long run. While it is still in decent running condition, you can still use the majority of the parts as leverage for a higher price when you scrap your car. Going to the right scrap car removal company in GTA provides you with better options when it comes to accurate quotations and other services.

Things to know or do before scrapping your car

You have a scrap car parked at your driveway or at the garage and you don’t know what to do with it? Are you wondering getting it fixed is better or sending it to the scrapyard?

If your car is too old to repair or its repair cost is too high, the best way to deal with a junk car is to send it to the junkyard and exchange it with quick cash.

Here is what people usually do before sending their cars to the scrapyard in Ontario:

  • Prepare your documents: In order to scrap your car you need to transfer the ownership to the dealer, so, you will have to show the dealer your proof of ownership. Therefore the first thing is to make sure that you have your vehicle’s ownership ready. Also be aware of frauds! If someone takes your car without the ownership, it’s shady and you might go to be involved with the possible future criminal investigation. If you lost your car ownership document, you can easily get it replaced at Service Ontario at a cost of $32.
  • Remove your personal belongings: Look out for any valuable personal belongings you might be leaving at the vehicle and collect them all. Make sure to check under the seats, seatback,s, and side pockets and empty any other storage components.
  • Remove car’s valuable parts: You can remove all valuable parts like entertainment systems or any other valuable accessories and parts. even you can replace your tires with the old ones or take off alloy wheels and replace them with steel wheels if you have one, and sell it to the second-hand markets like kijiji or local mechanics. Focus on squeezing as much money as possible.
  • Take off the license plates: Remove your license plates and keep them for your next vehicle or if you are not going to buy a new car soon, you can dispose of or return them to Service Ontario and get credits for the remaining months.
  • Cancel your car’s insurance: If you cancel your insurance you are not going to pay any other recurring payments until your policy expires. And in case you have paid the full annual coverage upfront, you can get refunds for the remaining months.

Does the brand of your car make a difference to its scrap value?

Car, Bmw, Clunker, Old, Rusty, Red, Junk, Junker, Auto

No matter what brand you have, you will get some money for scrapping it, however, you may be wondering does the brand of your car make a difference to its scrap value?

When your car reaches its end of life, you’ll probably want to make some money out of it, especially when you have paid more to buy the car at the beginning. All cars, whether expensive or cheap, reach their final day someday. So it’s better to be prepared and know how much you can get for scrapping your old, scrap car. You can then make a decision to sell it as a used car or send it to a scrap yard to gain as much profit as possible.

Do some brands have a better scrap value than others?

Most of the time, YES. The make and model of your car has an impact on its scrap value. The more expensive the brand of car, the more you will get for scrapping it. But this is not always true as there are also other important factors like the condition of the car and weight.

Weight is one of the biggest factors of scrap car prices. That’s why some heavy cars like Ford and Land Rover, worth more than other luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes. The heavier the scrap car is, the more scrap metal is on it.

Should I Sell off some individual parts of my expensive car to profit more?

There are many buyers in the market who are interested in particular parts, but having them removed can have a significant impact on the weight and therefore the price of the scrap car. Therefore, selling off some sell-off individual parts may be worth it, but you should always consult with someone professional, otherwise, it is not recommended. Plus, some parts of the car are toxic and hazardous and need extra precautions to removed. If you wanted to do so, ask someone expert to remove the parts for you.

How much do you get for scrapping a car?

That rusted-out piece of trash in the driveway could be worth hundreds of dollars in parts and scrap metal. Isn’t it great to get rid of old trash and receive a good cash prize in exchange, even if it’s only worth a few hundred dollars? After seeing how much do you get for scrapping a car, you might be more motivated to scrap it. To get you started on your way to a great financial gain let’s look at how to calculate a scrap car value and find out how much your old scrap car is worth.

Top factors to determine the value of a scrap car

MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR

The most key factor that goes into calculating the price of a scrap car is the type of vehicle. The current market worth of the car is determined by the yearmake, and model of the vehicle. You can find your used car’s average value from Canadian Black Book, however, scrap cars are valued differently, especially if they have several issues that prevent them from operating. Scrap cars worth a maximum of one-third of a used car. If the car is still in a good shape and running or the damnd for its parts is high you can get this offer.

SCRAP METAL MARKET PRICE

ُScrap metal price is the second most important factor. This isn’t something most typical car owners consider, yet it plays a significant role in determining the value of a scrap car. According to World Steel Association and The Aluminum Association, 60 percent of the average today’s vehicle body structure is steel and 16 percent is aluminum. Even cars that aren’t salvageable can be recycled into scrap metal and turned into new items.

VEHICLE CONDITION

The condition of the car is another factor that scrap car buyers are taking into consideration. They can decide whether to salvage the car, resell the car or its parts, or. If your junk car only has a few problems, you can expect a better offer than if it’s a dead car. If the entire cost of repairs to get it working again is higher than its value, the scrap car buyer is not willing to salvage the car and is going to scrap it, thus; the offer you get is only based on the scrap value of the car.

LOCATION OF THE CAR

Location is the last factor that has an impact on the offer. This has a minor impact on determining the value of a scrap car. Although most scrap car removal companies offer free removal, they consider transportation fees in the offer. Therefore, the closer you are to the scrapyard, the better your chances of getting a better price. Plus, the price of scrap metal may vary region by region.

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 makemodel, 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.

Where can I get the most for my old car?

Selling a car can be tough in today’s market. Between fluctuating used car prices and dishonest hagglers, it’s hard to get your car’s actual value when you resell. And even the junkiest cars have value.

When it comes to selling older cars, there are options, and they vary pretty significantly. Let’s take a quick tour, shall we?

how much can I expect from a private seller?

If you’ve got a low or mid-market car (usually around $1,000-$3,000), you’ve probably considered private buyers first. Facebook and Craigslist make it easy to list your car online with a few taps or clicks. So you make the ad, but oftentimes you get a bunch of people—not to mention scammers—trying to haggle you down well below your car’s value.

Even finding someone who’s interested can be the start of a whole new kind of headache—bombarding messages and calls, ghosting, or changing terms.

what about trade-ins?

Maybe you’re in the market for a new car anyway and want to put the trade-in money towards a car you REALLY want. A great idea (at least in theory). Though it very much depends on the condition of your car.

You’re more likely to get a higher return if your car’s in “clean condition,” say our Car and Driver friends. If you’ve got a real junker, odds are that you can’t remember the last time you washed it or bothered to clean out the interior and you have to ask yourself—is it worth the effort now?

A lot of dealers also won’t offer much for an older model. At SmartScrap, we consider older cars to be like finely aged wine. Even if they’re not classics, they have value—whether it’s just for parts or scrap metal—and we are pros at finding the Buyer that pays the highest value for your car.

how much can I make from donating my car?

Gotta say, we’re pretty impressed. Giving your old car away to a charity auction of some kind is awesome. You might not be getting that money directly, but you can still write it off in your taxes for a sweet reward.

The main difference between donating and selling your car is that when donated, you can only deduct the sale value from your stated income if you itemize. (In other words, if you get the standard deduction, you won’t receive any benefit). And when you itemize your deductions, the price you receive for your donated car only subtracts from your earned income, so it doesn’t mean you’ll get that much money back in your tax return.

So donating your car COULD definitely mean a nice tax break at the end of the year, but, of course, it’s not as simple as cash-in-hand. It’s also important to note that you may only deduct the price the car sells for, which may be lower than the market value. Check out our buds at Turbo Tax for more.

Selling to SmartScrap might not replicate the same fuzzy feeling of goodwill. But we always take fair market value into account and make sure your car (or its parts) finds a good home.

Junk Cars, Red Door, Scrap Metal

how much will a salvage yard pay for my car?

Junk cars typically sell for a few hundred dollars or less and aren’t in the best running condition. They probably need a new engine or transmission, have structural issues, and/or have been in a few accidents.

Negotiating scrap prices with junkyards can be a tricky, delicate process. Some also charge for junk car removal. In short, finding the right scrap yard to get you the best deal for your car can be tough.

Lucky for you, some of SmartScrap’s Partners are the most reputable salvage yards around your neighbourhood.  Your car might be on its last legs, but we’ll make sure you still get top dollar for it. We get you the best offer that a junkyard or one of our courier partner providers so you are always the winner .

should I sell my car online?

Ah yes, who isn’t attracted to the appeal of selling your car with just a few taps/clicks? New online car buyers have been popping up left and right, and it can be daunting to select the right shop. Many refer to “instant offers,” and then once they get your contact info, it’s the classic bait-and-switch.

And let’s say after a lengthy phone call, you accept their offer. You usually have to drive a decent distance to drop it off and then wait weeks for them to process your car to receive your payment.

That’s. Not. Cool.

This is where SmartScrap comes in. There had to be a better way and there just wasn’t. So we created one. An actual easy way to sell your used car—with actual instant offers (based on market car value), free pickup, no tricks, no hoops, no gimmicks. You get an instant offer commitment-free—we don’t ask for your name or contact info unless you accept our offer.