So you’ve done your research and realized that selling your car to a scrap yard will net you the most money. You’re probably more concerned with receiving the best scrap price at the lot because you know that the car’s parts still have worth even if the vehicle itself does not work.
Even if you’re in a hurry to get it over with, it’s never easy to say goodbye to an automobile you’ve cared for or invested in financially. However, there are a few things you must take care of before transporting your wrecked car to the scrapyard. In this article, Mr. Junk Cars will share all the things to do before junking a car.
Go With a Legit Company
Make sure the junk removal company you choose to work with has a license. When asked for proof, a legitimate dealer will gladly provide it; some may even have a copy displayed in their lobby. If you’re going to do business with a company, you should verify that it has a good reputation and follows the law.
Remove Your License Plates & Cancel Insurance
This may seem like a waste of time to some drivers; after all, who wants the license plate of a car that’s about to be crushed anyway? However, license plates are still important even if a car is no longer in use. In some states, like Maryland, removing the vehicle’s license plates is mandatory when ownership changes.
Vehicle registration documents must be returned to the DMV, which is often housed in a county courthouse whenever a vehicle is sold. There, they will take away your license plates and cancel your registration. The cancellation process may take a few working days after you have mailed back the plates. You are now free to proceed with canceling your insurance if it has already been processed. Having your registration canceled may be a prerequisite to canceling your insurance.
Remove Valuables & Personal Belongings
You might be like most car owners and keep some of your belongings in the trunk or under the seats. Your vehicle and any items left within it become the junkyard’s property as soon as you turn it over to them. Before handing over the keys, it is the owner’s responsibility to empty the car of any personal belongings. Clothing, jewelry, cash, electronics, important papers, spare tires, tools or jacks, and CDs are a few things you might wish to remove.
Use Up or Siphon the Gas
The fluids and gas you leave in a vehicle at a junkyard can sit there for a long time. Since fuel and fluids deteriorate or become useless over time, junkyards usually drain them before storing vehicles on the lot. Recycling old fluids is a nuisance for many junkyards. It would be best if you siphoned or used the gas in the car before junking it. Use all of the gas if your car is still running. Alternatively, you might have to siphon the gas from the tank manually.