If your New Year's Day resolution is to get a new car, it can seem difficult to get much value out of an old junker that barely runs. Who wants to buy it once it's past its prime or starts breaking down often? The good news is that there are several ways to sell a junk car in Houston.
1. Sell It to a Car Flipper
Probably the best way to get the most value out of an old car that still runs is to sell it to a car flipper. A car reseller who buys junk cars specializes in fixing them with their own labor and reselling them for a profit. Resellers can do that because repairs cost less when you do them yourself and use reconditioned parts. The result is that they're willing to buy cars that are too expensive to repair at a mechanic's shop.
2. Sell Your Car Part by Part
This option is mainly for car owners with experience working on cars. If you have the tools, skill, and workspace, you can dismantle your vehicle and sell the parts. Online marketplaces like eBay can connect you easily with DIY mechanics and repair shops looking for used parts from your car's make and model.
3. Sell Your Car to a Salvage Yard
If you don't have the expertise to dismantle the car yourself, a salvage yard that buys junk cars for parts is another option. Sometimes they dismantle the most valuable parts themselves, but often they let buyers come and take what they need for a price. It can be a profitable way to dispose of old vehicles, so salvage yards will be willing to pay a decent sum for your junker if it's the right year model.
4. Let a Scrap Yard Take Your Car
Your junk car may seem worthless, meaning it doesn't run, can't be repaired, and isn't valuable to a salvage yard. In that case, though, it's still worth the metal that it's made of. You can recover that value by selling it to a scrap metal yard. They'll crush and recycle its steel and aluminum parts. The amount of money you can get for your car's recycling value will depend on metal prices at the time, but scrap yards will often tow the car away for free if it doesn't run. That'll save you some money by itself.
5. Give It to a Charity
Probably the last option in terms of value would be to give your junker to a charity that fixes up old cars and gives them away. It helps other people who need a vehicle, and you can claim the donation to reduce your taxes.
Conclusion
Depending on the condition of your car, there are several types of buyers to sell a junk car in Houston. If you do a little research and get your paperwork in order, you can recover the value it has left in it and use it to buy a better ride for the new year.