How to Safely and Profitably Sell Your Old Car for Parts

There are many reasons to think about selling your old car. You might be wanting to upgrade, to make more space in your garage, or you may be looking to help finance the purchase of your next car.

In some cases, it can be more beneficial to sell your old car for parts rather than as a whole vehicle. Particularly if it’s damaged, isn’t running efficiently, or is on its last legs.

When looking to sell your old car for parts, the best way to do this is by going through a reputable wrecker. They can come and assess your car, give you a fair price for it based on the parts, then remove and dispose of it for you.

Here’s everything you need to think about in order to sell your old car for parts—and profit.

How to prepare your car for wrecking

There are a few important steps you must take to get your car ready for wrecking, and ensure it’s able to be salvaged for parts safely and efficiently.

Get your documents and paperwork ready

Gather all the necessary registration information, proof of ownership, insurance policies, and roadside assistance information together. This way it will be easy to cancel insurance when the time comes, and transfer ownership.

Remove any personal belongings or valuables

Look in the glove box, under the seat, in any pockets, and go through the boot. Once you send your car to the wreckers you won’t be able to get anything back. Check for things like important documentation, electronics, money, that pair of sunglasses you thought you’d lost, even your number plates. 

Drain all fluids

Leaving fuel in the tank and coolant in the radiator isn’t safe or environmentally friendly. So be sure to drain any fluids before selling your car for parts. If you can do it yourself, go for it. If not, speak with your wrecker and they can assist you.

Research what else you can sell

There may be some valuable parts of your car you haven’t thought about selling. A good GPS system, stereo, or alloy wheels are all items people may want to buy.

Understanding the car wrecking process

Car wrecking is quite a complex process. There’s more to it than just crushing your car into a cube.

First your wrecker will assess your vehicle. They’ll take a close look to check its condition and identify parts that can be salvaged. They’ll then make a price offer, based on the condition and that of the parts.

When you accept, they will organise towing and removal. At Advanced Auto Wreckers we offer free towing to take your vehicle off your hands.

You vehicle then arrives at the workshop for car dismantling. Car dismantling is an in-depth process, where all fluids are drained, and any parts that can be resold or recycled are removed. They then get cleaned and tested prior to on-selling.

Then, finally, the remaining shell of the vehicle will be crushed, and eventually on-sold to be recycled.

How to get the most money for your old car’s parts

There are some key factors that will determine how much your parts will sell for.

  • Make, model, and year. The type of car you have, and its age, will play a big part in how much money you’ll get for your car parts. It’s not just the car’s face value. Some cars, like older Holdens and Fords, have a loyal fanbase, with collectors always looking for parts to repair their vehicles.
  • Condition. When recycling old car parts, it’s generally their condition that determines how much money you can get for them. If your car has been well cared for and has lower kilometers, some parts will be in better shape. This means they are more likely to sell for a higher price.
  • Knowing which parts to sell. It’s important to know which parts will be more valuable to sell to car wrecking services. Parts like your engine, transmission, and catalytic converter are generally in demand. You can also make money from items like alloy wheels, electronics, bumpers, good quality tires, and batteries.

Sell your car for parts with Advanced Auto Wreckers

At Advanced Auto Wreckers we help you get the most for your car’s parts. We take care of everything for you. We will do a complete check to give you a fair price for the usable parts in your car. We then come and take the vehicle for you, and recycle it in an environmentally friendly way.

Get in touch with us for a free assessment, and see how much you can make from your old car parts.

How to Safely and Profitably Sell Your Old Car for Parts