At some point in our lives, we’ll likely find ourselves needing to part ways with an old car.
But what’s the best way to do it? That really all depends on what your aim is.
Here’s how to get rid of your old car in Perth.
Laws and regulations
When it comes to getting rid of an old car, there aren’t that many laws or regulations that apply. The main thing to consider is transfer of ownership.
If you sell a licensed vehicle in Western Australia or transfer it to a new owner, you must notify the Department of Transport within seven days of the sale and arrange the transfer of ownership. Failing to do so could result in a fine.
Transferring ownership is a reasonably straightforward process. All you need to do is complete a Transfer of Ownership form and submit it to the Department of Transport, which you can do using their online platform DOTDirect.
Selling your car
Gone are the days of the notice board at the local shops. These days, when wondering how to get rid of an old car, the best locations to sell are online marketplaces. Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and Carsales.com.au are the three main platforms people use.
Gumtree used to be the number one location for selling used cars online, thanks to its free service. However, in 2023 Gumtree instituted a mandatory listing fee for people looking to sell cars on the platform. Fees start at $19.95 and go up from there.
You can definitely still list and successfully sell a car on Gumtree, but it’s lost top spot to the more readily available Facebook Marketplace.
These days, Facebook Marketplace is the go-to for quick and cheap car sales. It’s easy to set up and post a listing, and you get the option of adding a detailed description, with plenty of photos. And as it’s part of the Facebook platform, people can get a better sense of the person behind the sale, and more trust as to your car’s legitimacy.
Carsales
Carsales.com.au is known to be the best private sales platform for mid-priced cars and above. While its fees are higher, you tend to get genuine, more qualified buyers who are serious about purchasing a car.
Donating your car
If you’re wondering how to get rid of an old car, an option you may not have thought about is to donate it.
You can either donate it to family or friends (a great way to give the kids a first car that you trust), or donate it to charity.
When donating to family or friends, all you need to do is complete a Transfer of Ownership form and then it’s their legal property.
A number of charities around Perth accept cars and other vehicles as donations. These charities take your car to be sold at auction, and you can then claim the proceeds of the sale as a tax deduction. You need to get the car professionally valued first, then get a Certificate of Donation to prove its sale price.
Getting a dealership trade-in
Another option is to trade your car in at a dealership.
The dealership will assess your car to determine its sale value. You can then negotiate a price with them. While they might offer you cash on the spot, be aware that it may be somewhat less than a private sale. However, it can be worth it to have the process undertaken quickly and smoothly.
If you’re considering a new car at the same time, trading your car in is a good option, too. The dealer will give you a price for your old car, and then take it off the balance of your new one. However, older cars may not get much, and there may not even be much interest—it all depends the type of old car you’re trying to get.
Should I sell my car to an auto wrecker?
Another option is to sell your car to an auto wrecker. This is a good option if it’s an older model, and you don’t expect to get much for its sale, or you just want to get rid of it quickly.
The auto wrecker will salvage all the usable parts, which will then be reused as replacements in other cars—essentially reducing your car’s environmental footprint in the process. Any hazardous materials like oil and other fluids will be safely disposed of, and your auto wrecker may even come and pick the car up for you.
When it’s time to get rid of your old car, we’re here to help
It can be hard to say goodbye to an old car. So at Advanced Auto Wreckers, we make the process easy for you.
We pick your car up for you, and give you a fair price. You know that all the best parts and pieces are going to be used to repair other cars, while the rest will be responsibly wrecked and recycled.
Contact our friendly service team at (08) 9459 8155, or fill in the contact form on our website, to discuss how we can help you get rid of your old car.