DEALERSHIP TRADE IN VS SCRAP YARD: WHAT GETS YOU MOST MONEY?

If you're trying to get rid of an old car, you've probably considered selling it to a used car dealership.

But have you considered taking it to a salvage yard? There's potentially more money in scraping your car! Read on to learn if scraping your old vehicles is the right option for you.

Trading vs. Scrapping Your Car

The first thing you should know is the difference between trading in and scrapping your car. Many people trade in their cars to dealerships to get a discount on their next purchase or just to get some cash. But while it may be convenient, they often don't get all their money's worth!

Scrapyards and auto recyclers will also pay you for your car, but they're interested specifically in getting the parts in your car. This is particularly great if you have an old beater or even a car that doesn't run anymore! People looking to fix up an old engine or get other used car parts are more than happy to find great deals at scrapyards.

While a dealership is looking to turn around and sell the car to someone else who can drive it, a recycler is just interested in the parts. If you're tired of throwing money away on repairs and know you won't get much on a trade-in, maybe it's time to consider calling a scrap yard!

 

Pros and Cons of Trading in Your Vehicle

Trading your vehicle to a car dealership comes with some benefits and drawbacks to consider. For many people, trading in their vehicle is easier, but they often lose out on a lot of money.

The biggest benefit that people see is the ability to get trade-in value for a new or upgraded vehicle from a dealership. It's relatively easy to drive a car in and get a discount on your next vehicle!

Unfortunately, this ease comes with a cost. You usually don't get as much with a trade-in as you would scrapping it. This is especially true when your car is an old beater that doesn't run!

Pros and Cons of Scrapping Your Vehicle

And that's why so many people opt for scrapping their vehicles instead. Used vehicles are still worth quite a bit of money, and you can take full advantage of this at a scrapyard.

Even if your car doesn't run well, the parts in the vehicle may be worth more than you think! The metal in vehicles is worth quite a bit, and specific parts are often worth more if they're salvageable.

As one example, this is why many places have seen a rise in catalytic converter thefts. This car part is valuable enough that thieves will steal it to sell on the black market, oftentimes just for the inherent metal value.

So don't be worried about scrapping your car if parts are not working. If some parts are salvageable, you might see yourself getting extra dollars on top of the simple metal value! For example, a working transmission will make your car worth sending to the scrapyard, even if much of the rest of your car is toast.

How to Scrap Your Car

If you have an old beater you're tired of driving, or you have a car just sitting in a garage somewhere, it might be a good idea to take it to an auto recycler. This is especially worthwhile if you can't even get your car to run. If the dealership doesn't take it, you should still get your money's worth!

Although it'll be easier for you to drive the car to a scrapyard, you may have to tow or have it picked up if it's unable to run. The mechanics inspect the car, give you a price, and leave with cash in hand!

Learn More About Scrapping Old Vehicles

If you'd like to learn more about the value of used cars, we'd love to help! We want people to be as informed as possible about what they have sitting in their yards and driveways, so we can make sure they make the best decisions possible.

If you have any questions about selling your old car, contact us at Bodyline Auto Recyclers! We'll do our best to answer all your questions and leave you with the knowledge and confidence to make the right decisions with your vehicle.