Should You Junk A Running Beater?
Posted on: 25 July 2022
If you've got an old, rusty hulk on your lawn, it goes without saying that calling up a junkyard is probably the best way to get rid of it. However, the situation may seem a little bit murkier if you've got a running beater on your hands. You may even be wondering whether it's worthwhile to junk your daily driver or if it makes more sense to try to sell it on the private market.
As with most financial decisions, the answer won't always be clear-cut. However, there are plenty of reasons why you may want to consider junking your old car, even if it still technically starts up every time you turn the key. If you're currently mulling this decision over, check out these three reasons why junking a running car can often be a smart financial move.
1. Running Vehicles Aren't Always More Valuable
People buy old vehicles for many reasons, from wanting an easy project car to just needing something cheap to get them to and from work. Unfortunately, these reasons don't mean that every old car still has value. You may drive a very common vehicle that doesn't have much value as a project. Alternately, your old car may have too many mechanical problems to function as a reliable daily driver.
Whatever the case, it's important to look carefully and honestly at your car's condition and value before making any decisions. You may find after a little research that the private sale price of your old car isn't much more than its scrap value. In these cases, junking your car can be a much faster and more convenient way to put nearly as much money in your pocket.
2. You May Not Have Time
If you need money immediately, selling your old car on the private market is seldom a great option. Newer and highly desirable cars might sell quickly, but much older vehicles with a laundry list of problems can sit on listing sites and local classifieds for much longer. You may find that you get plenty of tire kickers but few legitimate offers.
On the other, junk car buyers typically promise quick turnarounds. In some cases, you may be able to receive an offer and have cash in your hand within a few days. When you need that money to get into a more reliable vehicle or for some other urgent purpose, the ease of selling to a junk car buyer can often make all the difference.
3. It Might Have Severe Mechanical Issues
Not every car that runs is long for this world. Many problems, including severe mechanical issues or transmission trouble, can ultimately doom a vehicle, even if it's still capable of limping from point A to point B. Selling a car with these problems can be tricky, and there's a reasonable chance the problem will only worsen as you wait for the right buyer.
The good news is that junk car buyers don't care about the mechanical condition of your car, so you're free to sell it even if it's burning oil and can barely stay in gear. Handing over your keys and getting some cash will allow you to finally rid yourself of your old heap and get into a vehicle that isn't hovering over death's door.
For more information on why you should get cash for junk cars, contact a professional near you.
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