By Marc Deiter on July 8, 2021 in Life Hacks
Getting rid of your old car can be a hassle. Selling it yourself could mean some last minute up-keep to make sure it’s new-driver ready. That includes things like oil changes, deep cleaning, and minor repairs. However, there are some other options to avoid this last minute maintenance while still put some extra cash in your pocket.
1. Recycle it
Maybe your old car is a clunker and doesn’t drive anymore. Instead of taking it to a scrap yard where it will likely sit for years and years, you can choose the environmentally-friendly option and recycle your vehicle. What’s better than going green?
There are some programs out there, like Green Vehicle Disposal, that make sure your car is disposed of in the most environmentally safe way. You’ll likely get a bit of cash for going this route too.
2. Call a junk removal service
Calling a junk removal service might be an efficient way to get that old car off your hands since they come to you. Some companies will also likely pay you for your retired ride. These companies typically sell the car for parts and scrap metal.
Sure, you could do that yourself, but calling the junk removal service tends to be much less time-consuming. You may not make as much with this option as you would if you did all the leg-work yourself, but the convenience factor may just make up for that fact. Plus, this is a great option if you no longer have a title for the vehicle.
3. Donate it to charity
Good news! Taking your car to the impound yard is not the only option. There are many charities out there where you can donate your old car. Often, they’ll even haul it off for you. Easy as pie!
You can search around to find a charity that accepts cars, but if you’re looking for a quick option, a couple of good ones are:
A bonus with this option is that donations are typically tax deductible. You can feel good about donating your car and enjoy a bit of a break on your taxes. That’s a win-win if we’ve ever heard one.
PS: Don't forget to clean out your car to make it extra easy on the charity.
4. Trade it in
Trading in a car tends to be the most common way to get rid of your old vehicle. If you’ve paid your ride off, trading it in when you buy a new car can help ease the pain on your wallet.
Check out how much your car’s make and model should be worth on Kelley Blue Book before you hit the dealership. Having an idea of how much your car should worth will help you in the haggling process, and make sure you get the best price for your trade-in. Otherwise, you may not get your money’s worth out of your ride, and that’s a bummer.
Getting rid of an old car doesn’t need to be a pain in the butt, so why make it one?