Over 6 million auto accidents take place per year in the United States alone, leaving millions of vehicles damaged beyond easy repair. Many people have difficulty deciding what to do with a wrecked vehicle and often don't realize the multitude of possibilities they have. If your vehicle has been wrecked or damaged and is beyond repair, there are several options you have to dispose of it.
Parting a wrecked car out is often the most lucrative way to get rid of a wrecked vehicle. Parting a car out requires time and a place to store the vehicle until you are finished with it. Selling used auto parts is quickly becoming a multi-million dollar business. Parts on your vehicle such as the engine, catalytic converters, air compressors, evaporators and rims can usually be sold fairly quickly. List the parts with a local database or sell them on eBay.com. Once you have sold most of the valuable parts, you can have the vehicle scrapped.
A scrap yard (also known as wrecking yard or junk yard) is a place where many wrecked vehicles go. The company will buy the wrecked car from you and usually pick it up for free. The yard will then keep the vehicle for a while and sell specific parts from the vehicle that are still usable. Once the usable parts are removed, the company will normally crush the vehicle and use it for scrap metal. Scrapping a wrecked vehicle is usually the most convenient way to get rid of it, but it leaves you with little financial gain; the profit made from the sale of the parts goes directly to the wrecking yard.
Depending on the condition of your wrecked vehicle, you may be able to maximize the amount you get for it by selling it outright. If the vehicle is drivable, selling it may be the best option for you. Always check your state laws before attempting to sell any vehicle that is wrecked or has a salvage title. There may be specific disclaimer forms you need to have the buyer to sign to protect yourself after the sale is completed.
There are hundreds of foundations nationwide that work with non-profit agencies to collect vehicles, some of which are repaired and given to people in need and some are sold to raise money for non-profits. Donating your vehicle to charity is an ideal way to help people and will usually allow you to claim a tax deduction.
