If you happen to own a car that has aged or is no longer usable and is sitting idle in your garage or driveway, you may be curious to know if you can get any reasonable value from selling it off. Maybe the MOT test results were not good, or the cost to fix it exceeded your expectations, or you left it parked for months because it stopped functioning.
Before jumping at the first offer that comes along, it is good to know how the price of scrap cars is determined so that you get reasonable value for your used car.
If you are looking to scrap your car in Manchester, comparing your options and knowing what to ask can help you make a more informed decision.
Understand What Determines Your Scrap Car’s Value
It is important to know what you are offering when looking for a good deal price. It is easy to underestimate an old car’s value because of its age. The truth is, a car is made of many valuable metals such as steel and aluminum, and depending on the car’s condition and type, there may be usable parts on it.
Below is a list of considerations which can affect your offer price.
Vehicle weight and metal content
The weight of a scrap vehicle plays an important role in determining its value since heavy vehicles usually have a higher amount of recoverable metal compared to lighter cars. For instance, a big family or SUV car might be worth more than a light city car at the scrap yards.
Nevertheless, the weight of a vehicle is not the only criterion. It also depends on metal prices and completeness of the vehicle.
Current scrap metal prices
Prices for scrap cars fluctuate. When making a quotation, the buyer takes into account the current market prices and the costs associated with treating the car.
This implies that the price that you saw on the website a few months ago might not be the price currently available. In order to get an accurate quotation, you need to give the registration number and details of your specific car.
Vehicle condition and reusable parts
An automobile need not necessarily be roadworthy to have valuable parts. An automobile that has problems with its engine could still have valuable doors, wheels, alternators, among other valuable parts.
On the other hand, if your automobile does not have wheels or if the catalytic converter has been stripped out, it may reduce the recovery that the buyer could get. Be truthful about the condition of the vehicle so that the price quote offered is realistic.
Compare Quotes Before Accepting an Offer
One of the easiest methods of increasing your chances of receiving fair prices is getting more than one quotation.
Not all buyers incur the same cost of processing, demand for vehicle components, method of collections and quotation. This means that two different firms could give varying amounts for the same vehicle.
While analyzing the quotations, consider more than the actual amount quoted. Inquire whether the quote is inclusive of collection, conditions of payment and whether there are any special conditions.
Take the case where one buyer gives an amount of £220 while another one gives £250. While the higher quotation seems better, one may find out that any of the two firms may charge additional fees or give you a lower quote after examining the vehicle.
An acceptable quotation should give information about what is quoted and under what condition the amount may change.
This becomes important when the vehicle is in an inaccessible position in a narrow drive or when it has lost some of its components or is immobile. Inform the buyer of these conditions prior to the collection of the vehicle.
Do Not Assume Your Broken Car Has No Value
One of the most common errors in determining the value of a severely damaged car is considering it completely unusable. Nevertheless, it is necessary to consider what the vehicle can offer.
In case of breakdowns of an engine, for instance, a car might still have a working gearbox, intact body parts, and many others. And even if these parts cannot be reused, there will still be some scrap worth in the leftover metal.
It is important to keep this thought in mind when you try to find the most effective way to dispose of a damaged car. There is no need to spend money on costly repairs just in order to improve scrap prices.
Nevertheless, do not waste money buying replacement parts until you make sure that the extra profit will cover all costs.
What if the car has failed its MOT?
The fact that the car has failed its MOT test does not necessarily imply that it should be scrapped. However, if the cost of repairs is affordable and the vehicle is otherwise in good shape, then getting the car repaired might still be the way to go.
However, if the necessary repairs involve an expensive engine repair, structural corrosion, or multiple faults, scrapping may actually be the better solution.
You should factor in all the costs associated with maintaining the car, and determine if you even still require the car.
Keep the Vehicle Complete Where Possible
Do not remove parts unless there is a valid reason to do so prior to organizing the collection.
It is natural to want to separate the battery, wheels, and other parts from the car in case they will fetch additional money. Nevertheless, it will make the offer for the car less attractive for a scrap dealer, while some facilities will also charge extra for accepting the vehicle without some of the crucial components.
It is usually easier to evaluate the vehicle when it is complete. Should you be interested in selling some of the parts on its own, estimate whether the loss in terms of the scrap price is worth the extra money you can make.
Also, you should avoid separating those components that will need to be disposed of with specialized equipment.
The most optimal way of acting in this case is asking the scrap buyer how it will impact the offer.
Understand What Your Car Is Actually Worth
Many individuals look for answers on the Internet regarding the price that could be offered for their specific vehicle.
The problem is that there is no universal price applicable to all cars.
This price varies depending on the weight, model, state, completeness of the car, market rates at the moment of purchase, and buyer’s evaluation.
For example, a hatchback, an estate car, and a commercial vehicle will have different prices. Even two cars of the same model may be valued differently due to the fact that one car is in perfect condition and the second is incomplete or damaged.
If you ask about the price of scrap cars, keep in mind that you cannot take the price from the Internet as the exact figure. The price quotation for the specific car will be more appropriate.
For a more detailed explanation of local valuations, read our guide to how much a car is worth for scrap in Manchester.
This can help you understand the factors behind an offer before deciding whether to accept it.
What to Do When Scrapping a Car
After evaluating the deals, it is now time for you to prepare your vehicle and its documents.
If you are not sure how to go about getting rid of your car, then doing a few simple things will make it easier for you.
Step 1: Choose an authorised treatment facility
When a vehicle has reached the end of its useful life and is being scrapped as waste, it must be handled through an authorised treatment facility (ATF). These facilities are equipped to deal with end-of-life vehicles and the materials they contain.
You can use the official GOV.UK vehicle scrapyard finder to locate an appropriate facility.
Step 2: Prepare your vehicle details
Have ready your registration number, make, model, and condition. Give details on whether the car runs, has failed MOT and is missing anything important.
This will help the purchaser give a more accurate quotation and plan to have the right collecting machinery.
Step 3: Check your documents
The logbook will be helpful during the scrapping of your car. You should observe the official DVLA guidelines in regard to handing over that particular document to the authority concerned.
In case the logbook is missing from your side, then contact ATF and follow the official guidelines accordingly.
Step 4: Confirm the quotation and collection
Before the day of collection, ensure that the agreed price and payment arrangements are in order and that there are no conditions. Inform the purchaser of any problems concerning the vehicle’s removal, such as access and key arrangements.
In England and Wales, payment for a vehicle that is to be scrapped should be paid via bank transfer or cheque. If this does not apply to you, refer to the relevant guidance.
Step 5: Keep the relevant paperwork
If the eligible motor car is totally destroyed, then the ATF will be expected to provide a Certificate of Destruction after seven days. This paper will confirm that the vehicle has been surrendered for destruction.
There is also the need to notify the DVLA as required. Remember that merely collecting the car does not constitute all procedures.
Can You Scrap a Car That Is Still on Finance?
This is an important factor to consider if you find yourself with a vehicle you do not want but which you still have not paid off.
The ability to scrap a vehicle with ongoing finance will depend on the nature of the contract and the owner’s rights to the vehicle at the time. If you have a hire purchase or PCP, the finance company may hold on to their ownership rights until the agreement is sorted out and any necessary purchase payment made.
Your name on the V5C registration form is not proof enough of ownership.
Before scrapping a financed vehicle, get in touch with your finance company and obtain a settlement amount and any information about what you can do. It would be best if you make sure that you have the right to scrap the vehicle before doing so.
You can read more about vehicle ownership and disposal in the official GOV.UK guidance on scrapping vehicles.
How to Choose the Right Scrap Car Buyer in Manchester
There are other things to consider apart from getting the highest quotation. You should go for the buyer that communicates clearly, has credible collection procedures, and transports the car via the right channels.
Before accepting an offer, consider the following:
- Pricing: Are the quotations and any other terms of payment clear?
- Collection procedure: Are there collection arrangements, and can the firm deal with a car that does not work?
- Method of payment: Does the firm have a clear method of payment that follows the rules?
- Legal procedures: Will the car be taken to an appropriate place, and will you get the necessary papers?
- Communication: Will it be possible to reach out to the firm?
Are you trying to find out who will give you the most money for your junk cars? The answer is that there is no buyer that will give you the best price for all of your old cars at all times. What is important here is a quotation that will provide you with a good offer for your specific car.
It doesn’t take much time to get quotations and compare conditions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Scrapping Your Car
There are a few simple things which one may do wrong and make the procedure a little bit harder, or even leave you in uncertainty regarding how much money you are going to get.
- Accepting the first quotation without comparing: The second quotation will give an idea whether the first one is reasonable.
- Not providing a detailed information on your car: If you neglect mentioning any lack of parts, damage caused by an accident or problems with access, the buyer will have to re-evaluate his quotation.
- Getting rid of some parts: Some parts may have their own resale value, however, getting rid of them can diminish the quotation you get.
- Neglecting the paperwork: Remember to fill in all the necessary DVLA forms, and keep the documents that you receive.
- Choosing a buyer based only on the price: Other things like clear terms, license, collection and paperwork are equally important.
Conclusion
Getting a good deal on your scrap car in Manchester requires an understanding of how the valuation process works. The weight of the car, current metal prices, parts which are salvageable as well as whether or not the vehicle is intact are some of the factors that could affect the quotation made, so it is wise to get the facts right.
Collection, payment and documentation are other important issues. Price is one factor that is crucial, but one needs to make sure that everything else has been taken into consideration.
Should your car have become too expensive to fix, be MOT failed or no longer used, you should take the time to evaluate your options.
For more information on the various aspects of scrapping your car, check out Scrap Car Guys.
The list of location services that we currently provide includes: Manchester, Oldham, Bury, Heywood, Middleton, Bolton, Stockport, Rochdale, Warrington, Cheshire, Mossley, Droylsden, Hyde, Denton, Ashton-under-Lyne, Dukinfield.