Your car has been declared totaled, and now you’re left wondering: can you pull out valuable parts before handing it over? The short answer is yes—but there’s a catch. Once a vehicle is labeled as a total loss, its value is calculated by your insurance company. Removing parts without proper replacements can lower the vehicle’s total loss value, potentially reducing your payout.
If you want to keep aftermarket wheels, a new stereo, or even a recently purchased battery, you need to replace them with parts of similar condition and functionality. Otherwise, your insurer can deduct their value from your claim.
Is It Even Worth It to Remove Parts?
Whether or not it’s worth removing parts depends on their value versus the impact on your total loss settlement. Let’s say you have $1,200 aftermarket rims on your car. If you swap them out for OEM rims in good shape, you may preserve your settlement while keeping the upgrades. But if no suitable replacements are available or the car is difficult to access (e.g., jammed hood, collapsed body), removal may not be worth the effort.
Replacing upgraded parts with their original equivalents often avoids any change in payout. For instance, swapping a custom stereo for the stock unit lets you keep the valuable gear without lowering the car’s assessed value.
Where Is Your Car Stored? It Matters
Another factor to consider is access. If your totaled vehicle is stored at a tow yard or repair shop, you’ll need permission to remove parts—and likely during business hours only. Some storage locations only allow personal belongings to be retrieved, not physical components. You may also be charged fees to access or work on the car.
Before you make a plan to strip your vehicle, call the facility and ask what’s allowed.
Can I Remove Aftermarket Parts?
Absolutely. You are allowed to remove aftermarket parts, such as upgraded wheels, stereos, or performance accessories—as long as they’re replaced with similar components. If no replacements are installed, your insurance adjuster will deduct the value of the missing parts from your total loss payout.
Be transparent with your insurance company. If the adjuster has already inspected the vehicle, notify them of any planned removals and replacements before they re-evaluate it. Failing to disclose changes can lead to unexpected value reductions.
Most Common Parts Worth Removing
Stereo Systems If your car has an expensive aftermarket sound system, it might be worth pulling out—especially if you still have the original stereo to replace it with. Keep in mind that removing a stereo without replacing it will reduce the total loss value.
Battery Just replaced your car battery before the accident? Many people want to salvage it. If the hood is accessible and you have a decent replacement, it can be a smart move. However, if your only replacement is a worn-out battery or the hood is jammed shut, it may not be worth the trouble.
Wheels and Rims High-end rims and performance tires are often more valuable than people realize. If you swap them with stock wheels in comparable condition, your payout shouldn’t be affected. Just avoid using mismatched or severely worn wheels, as that can trigger a value deduction.
What If You’re Not Mechanically Inclined?
Parting out a totaled car sounds easy—until you’re the one lying on the pavement with a wrench. If you’re not confident in your mechanical skills or don’t have access to tools or safe working space, the effort may outweigh the benefit.
That’s Where DamagedCars.com Comes In
Instead of navigating complex removal rules or losing time and money figuring it out, let DamagedCars handle everything. We offer a simple way to sell your totaled vehicle without stress. No need to part it out yourself. No towing fees. No lowball offers.
Here’s how it works:
- Describe your vehicle – Share the make, model, and condition.
- Accept your offer – Receive a fast, fair quote with zero obligations.
- Get paid – We’ll tow your vehicle and hand you a check—often within 24–48 hours.
Conclusion: Should You Strip Parts From a Totaled Car?
Yes, you can remove parts from a totaled vehicle but only if you do it the right way. Have quality replacements on hand, communicate with your insurer, and make sure removal is even allowed. In many cases, the value you gain from pulling a stereo or wheels might not be worth the hassle.
For those looking to move on quickly, DamagedCars.com provides a faster, easier solution. We pay cash for totaled cars and handle all the logistics. No stress. No guesswork.
