Selling Your Car to a Wrecker – What You Need to Know

If you have an old car with a heap of kilometres on the clock or a damaged or on roadworthy car that isn’t worth fixing, your options for getting rid of it can be slim. You can try selling it online, but if you can’t be bothered with the haggling and time wasting, there is a better option.

If you’re looking for cash for cars or cash for trucks in Melbourne or you just want an old vehicle removed from your property, there are some simple options.

Most vehicle wreckers and scrap metal recyclers will generally pay on-the-spot cash for old and damaged cars and trucks. And many of them will even provide free car removal across Melbourne.

However, before you get onto the phone to your nearest wrecker, it’s important to know what to expect, especially when it comes to haggling over price.

The value a wrecker offers for your vehicle will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of vehicle, the condition it’s in, and the wrecker themselves.

So, let’s have a look at a few things you need to know if you’re considering selling your car or truck to a wrecker or scrap metal recycler.

The Type of Vehicle

Each individual wrecker will have specific guidelines about what they will and won’t buy. But, in general, you should be able to find a wrecker to purchase any vehicle in any condition.

Most wreckers will buy passenger cars, trucks, vans, utes, 4x4s, motorcycles of any make or model. However, some wreckers will specialise in particular vehicles, such as light commercial vehicles, 4x4s or Japanese cars. These companies may not be interested in purchasing vehicles outside of their particular area.

While condition will be a factor in how much money you’ll get for your vehicle, wreckers will generally buy cars in any condition regardless of registration status, roadworthiness or damage. No matter how damaged a vehicle is, there is always value in the scrap steel, which means scrap metal recyclers will always be interested in even the most damaged vehicles.

What Wreckers do with Your Vehicle

Contrary to what many people think, wreckers and salvage yards aren’t just about crushing cars and salvaging the scrap steel. In reality, only the most damaged vehicles are crushed for scrap metal.

Besides recycling the metal, wreckers also buy old, unused or unwanted cars to salvage the spare parts. This includes all mechanical and electronic parts as well as components like body panels, tyres, mirrors, windows and windscreens and more. These parts can then be cleaned up, reconditioned or repaired, and resold as used parts.

Some wreckers will also sell cars whole to restorers, collectors and mechanics.

Besides the scrap steel, wreckers will also salvage other materials for recycling, like plastics and glass.

The best wreckers will ensure the environmentally friendly salvage, recycling and disposal of vehicles and vehicle parts, especially when it comes to potentially harmful or polluting materials like batteries and engine oils.

What Wreckers Look at When Buying

There are a number of factors that wreckers will consider when purchasing a vehicle. These factors will determine how much they are willing to pay you for your vehicle and, in some cases, whether they will take it at all.

Is it drivable?

A car that’s still drivable will get a better price from a wrecker, for obvious reasons. If the car’s still in working order, it can simply be driven to the wrecking yard, rather than towed or loaded onto a truck. This cuts down on transport time and costs for the wrecking company. A drivable vehicle also means that more of the parts are still in working order, which means more of the parts can be easily salvaged and on-sold.

Make and model

The make and model of the vehicle will also be a major consideration. The demand for that particular make/model will determine how quickly or easily the vehicle or its parts can be on-sold. Wreckers will be more willing to take vehicles and parts that are in high demand, and will generally be willing to pay more.

Age and kilometres

As you might expect, older vehicles and vehicles with more kilometres on the clock will usually get lower prices. In general, once a vehicle passes a certain age, demand for spare parts declines, while supply increases. Similarly, a vehicle with more kilometres on it means that its parts will have been subject to more wear and tear and will be worth less in terms of on-selling.

Extent of damage

While wreckers and metal yards will usually buy vehicles regardless of condition, the extent of the damage may affect how much a wrecker is willing to pay. Seriously damaged accident vehicles may have fewer salvageable or working components, which will affect how much a wrecker is willing to offer.

By weight

If you’re selling to a junkyard or scrap metal yard, then they will only care about the amount of salvageable metal and won’t take into account condition or any salvageable parts. Metal yards or junkyards will generally pay more for larger, heavier vehicles like trucks, regardless of condition, because of the greater weight of salvageable steel in them.

Price and demand for scrap metal

If you’re selling your car for scrap, then the price and demand for scrap metal will be a factor in the price you’re offered.

Choosing a Wrecker

To get the best price for your vehicle, you should always contact multiple wreckers and compare quotes. Try to find a wrecker that specialises in your type of vehicle. For example, if you’re looking for cash for trucks in Melbourne, aim for a truck and commercial vehicle wrecker.

As you would with a mechanic, make sure you find a reputable wrecker. Look for a wrecking company with plenty of experience and years in the industry. Make sure they have a good reputation. If you have a mechanic you trust, ask them to recommend a reputable wrecker.

Ask about their vehicle pick-up policy. The best wreckers will offer free car removal across Melbourne, while other companies will charge for vehicle removal.