How to Prepare Your Car Before Selling It for Scrap

Featured Image Caption: Car Scrap Recycling

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Scrap metal recycling is the process of preparing a used or unwanted material such as steel, aluminum, or copper for reuse. This means that recyclers will take your car apart until they salvage all of the usable parts. Preparing your vehicle can be a tedious and time-consuming task. This is why many people choose to sell their car as is, but this can also result in less money when it comes time to sell. If you want more money for your scrap vehicle, there are some things you need to do before you get rid of it. Here are a few ways to get the most out of your car when selling it for scrap.

Check for Leaks

When preparing your car for scrap metal recycling, there are a few things you should do first. First, check if the car has any leaks in the engine or oil pan. This can potentially make it difficult for the metal recycler to process and recycle this type of product. If you do have a leak, contact the facility to ask about their procedure for this.

Remove the License Plate

Whether you trade in your car or sell it for scrap, you need to remove the license plates from both the front and back, if you have them. Since your license plates are registered with your local DMV, you are responsible for what happens to the car. To avoid issues and make the process as smooth as possible, remove the plates beforehand and turn them into the DMV.

Remove Personal Items

Additionally, you should remove all personal items from inside the vehicle before taking your car to the facility, including CDs and additional speakers. These items can get mixed with other metals and cause new problems at the scrap metal recycling facility. This can cause the recyclers to have to sort through many items, which takes more time than if your car is cleared of all personal items. Even if there is only trash in your vehicle, make a point to throw it away separately before turning the car in.

Clean the Exterior

Make sure you remove all debris, including dirt, grease, vermin, and bird droppings before taking your car to the recycling facility. Some facilities charge a fee for this, so it’s best to leave as much dirt and debris at home as possible. If the car is still drivable, take it through the car wash on the way over. If not, hosing it down in the driveway can make a big difference.

Remove Attachments

Remember to remove roof racks and other attachments like snow chains, bike rack mounts, or even added trailer hitches. Scrap metal recycling facilities cannot process many of these products, especially if they are made out of plastic. If you still want to get rid of plastic attachments, look for a plastic recycling facility nearby to dispose of them. Alternatively, you might want to use them on future vehicles or sell them separately, so don’t forget to detach these items before bringing your car to the scrap metal yard.

As discussed, there are a few steps you can take when preparing your car for scrap metal recycling in order to increase your profits and generally make the recycling process easier and safer. Making a point to remove any personal items from the interior and exterior of the vehicle will also ensure that you don’t accidentally leave anything behind. Overall, selling your car for scrap can be a great way to dispose of it while keeping your environmental impact as low as possible.