How To Sell a Damaged Car
Many people drive cars that have taken a beating over the years. Maybe you dropped your comprehensive insurance coverage, couldn’t afford the repairs, or the repair bill was more than the car was worth.
So, when it comes time to upgrade your transportation or dispose of a damaged car, truck or SUV, here’s what you need to know.
How to Sell Your Damaged Vehicle
Selling a damaged vehicle works a lot like selling any other car, with a few extra steps and a different potential audience of buyers. Here are some tips that can help simplify the process.
Determine the Vehicle’s Value Including Condition
Numerous online sources offer free vehicle valuations, including Kelly Blue Book, Black Book and the National Association of Auto Dealers (NADA).
To accurately determine the value most of these systems will need either the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or the year, make, model and mileage of your car. You can find the VIN on the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side when you look in from the outside. It should also be on your proof of insurance and your vehicle title.
- IMPORTANT TIP: Be honest with yourself about the extent of the damage so you get an accurate estimate and don’t turn down reasonable offers.
Find All The Paperwork
Track down the title to your vehicle prior to looking for a buyer. If you don’t have the title, inquire with your state’s motor vehicle bureau to find out how you can acquire a duplicate.
Other important paperwork includes any maintenance records and logs, transferrable warrantees, and any vehicle history reports. These reports let potential buyers know how the vehicle was damaged and how much harm was done.
Clean Your Car Inside & Out
Even cars with dents, ding and major damage need to make a good presentation. Wash the exterior as much as you can. Armor All the tires, dashboard and other surfaces like the central console. Vacuum the interior. And be sure you pull out your personal possessions you keep in the vehicle, including the glove compartment, center console and trunk.
If the car has a navigation or infotainment system, you’ll need to clean that out as well. Delete all saved locations (Especially your home address.) Bluetooth connections and any other personal data.
Market Your Vehicle
Now that your vehicle is ready to be sold, the next step is letting people know its up for sale. Even though your car is damaged, you still have several options, even though the buyer pool will be smaller.
- Social Media – Places like Facebook Marketplace may connect you with dismantlers and recyclers.
- Dealerships – Sometimes dealerships will buy outright or trade for damaged vehicles, but they often pay lower than others options.
- Local Junkyards – Junkyards and auto salvage businesses also buy damaged cars.
Remember that since fewer people buy damaged cars, it may take longer to sell. Be patient and evaluate all your options. Get offers from different potential buyers before you decide.
Transfer Vehicle & Receive Payment
Once you choose a buyer, paperwork gets involved. In most states, you can sign the back of your title with the details of the transfer. Some states may require you to submit a form, which is usually downloadable online.
How Do You Not Get Ripped Off When Selling A Car?
Not all people interested in your damaged vehicle are reputable or honest. Don’t transfer your title until you receive payment. Be cautious of the payment method and don’t accept checks unless you’re confident it’s legitimate and comes from a bank account with enough money to cover the amount.
Consider using secure and verifiable payment methods like:
- Cashier’s Check
- Cash App Transfer
- Money Order
- US Currency
Guard your personal information carefully and walk away from any buyer who wants to use exotic or complicated payment methods.
After you’ve received payment and transferred the title, be sure to call your insurance company to have the vehicle removed from your policy if it is still covered by a policy.
What is the best place to sell a damaged car?
One of the best places to sell any vehicle, damaged or not, is to Cash for Cars. It’s fast, safe and easy because:
Fast- Call or fill out the online form to get an offer in minutes. We have 250 locations across the US so we can pick up your vehicle and deliver payment promptly.
Safe- We’re part of Copart, a multibillion-dollar company with 40 years of history. You can be sure the check is good and our transporters are trustworthy.
Easy – Just get your offer, accept it, and schedule a time for us to pick up your vehicle and deliver your payment.
You don’t even have to be there for us to take your vehicle, keys and title and leave you a check.
Will Cash for Cars Take a Damaged Vehicle?
Cash for Cars takes any vehicle in any condition, running or not. As a part of Copart, we have a global base of buyers looking for vehicles to repair, recycle for parts, and other uses. Since we can find buyers for vehicles in any condition, we buy vehicles in any condition, fast, safe and easy.
No matter the condition of your vehicle, the process is still the same. Just call or fill out the online form to get an offer, accept the offer, then schedule a ime for us to pick up your vehicle and deliver your payment.
What About Other Buyers like Peddle and Carvana?
Several online companies buy damaged vehicles, but they may not be your best option. Carvana deals mostly in used cars. Peddle is a legitimate company, not a scam, but purchases older cars only so they might not accept yours. CashforCars.com takes vehicles in any condition to sell through our sister company Copart to hundreds of thousands of global buyers.
Parting Thoughts
We hope this information helps you dispose of your damaged car you no longer need. Remember, the simplest solution is to sell your vehicle to Cash for Cars. Just call or fill out the form, accept the offer, and schedule your pickup & payment. It’s fast, safe & easy.
