Can I Trade In My Non-Running Car?

Is It Possible to Sell A Car that Doesn't Run?

Figuring out what your options are with a non-running vehicle can be a daunting task. Do you have to junk it? Are you forced to let it sit in your driveway until a car enthusiast happens to pass by with cash on hand? Can you even trade it in and get a car that actually works?

All of these questions are rather common in regards to non-running vehicles and, thankfully, have answers of their own.

Do Dealerships Trade For Cars That Don’t Run?

If you have a vehicle that doesn’t run, you may be considering bringing it to a dealership and trading it in for a new vehicle.

Most dealers are looking to accept vehicles that run. This is because their job is to refurbish and then resell vehicles they receive. A non-running vehicle may require significantly more expensive repair work before it can be resold.

Depending on the reason behind why your car doesn’t run, the dealership may not accept it for a trade-in. If they do accept it, you can be sure that the estimated cost of the repairs will be deducted from the trade-in value of the car.

Even for dealerships that do accept non-running vehicles, there are downsides to trying to sell your vehicle directly to them for a trade-in.

For one, if you want to buy a new vehicle, you will be limited to the cars sold by the dealership that will accept your non-running car. Also, they may only pay you the scrap weight of the vehicle rather than take the whole car into consideration.

Selling A Non-Running Car

If you have a broken car, it may be wiser to try to sell your car rather than trade it in to a dealership. However, the process for selling a broken car can be complicated depending on what type of damage your vehicle has. For instance, was it damaged in a car crash or are you experiencing mechanical problems?

If you want to sell your non-running car, you should start by getting estimates from different mechanics to determine what it would take to get the car in running condition. Provide them with details, pictures and videos of the car to get an accurate estimate.

Once you have an estimate, you can start advertising the vehicle online or contacting local scrap yards and junkyards to get estimates. It can take some time to shop around and get a price you like.

You also have the option to part your vehicle out and sell each of them individually, but that can be time-consuming and difficult. Along with separating out the 30,000 parts of your vehicle, you’ll also have to take the time to find buyers for each part. It could be months before you’ve finished.

But what is the value of a vehicle if it can’t even run?

How Much Is A Non-Running Car Worth?

The value of a car can decrease if it’s not running. However, figuring out exactly how much value it has lost depends on a number of factors. If it costs more than the value of the car in running shape to fix it. For example, if repairs cost more than the value of the car in optimal condition, then few people will see it as a worthwhile investment. In that case, the car’s value is determined by the scrap metal and parts inside it.

However, if the car’s total value as a running vehicle may exceed the amount of money required to repair it, then it may be worth repairing. The best way to determine whether your vehicle has any value is to ask for estimates from mechanics about what it could cost to get it running again.

Does your vehicle need a new engine or transmission? Then the value of the vehicle should probably be at least $5,000 when fully operational. If it’s not worth that much even when running, there’s no point completing the repairs.

Why Should You Sell Your Non-Running Car To DamagedCars.com?

Selling to DamagedCars.com is the quick and easy way to get cash for a non-running vehicle so you can start searching for a new car. It takes only 90 seconds to get a quote. If you like the price you see, we can help you schedule a FREE pickup and FREE title transfer for your car in under 48 business hours.

When the tow truck driver arrives, he or she will hand payment directly to you. It’s that simple. If you’re not quite ready to sell, that’s okay too. Our quotes are guaranteed for seven days, so you have time to think it over. Once you’re ready, you can get back in touch with us and schedule your pickup.

DamagedCars.com offers fair market prices for vehicles no matter what shape they’re in. We take into account any work you’ve done on your vehicle as well as its make and model. If you have a non-running car you want to get rid of fast, click “get an offer” from DamagedCars.com to get started today. It’s that simple. Why wait?