Did you know that 25% of cars in the US are at least 16 years old? So, if these vehicles are people, they’re old enough to drive in some states.
Granted, it’s not illegal to drive such a vehicle, so long as it’s in good condition and not a safety hazard. Unfortunately, not many aged cars meet these criteria; many are even on the verge of being junk. Some may have also held a salvage title at some point.
Such automobiles may be better off processed in a vehicle salvage yard. To these businesses, even the most dented, rusted, or heavily damaged car still has value.
So, if you have a car that fits the bill, it’s high time to consider selling it to a salvage yard. We’ll explain the basics of what these businesses are and why you’d want to sell an old or junk car to them, so be sure to read on.
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Motor Vehicle Salvage Yard Definition
A motor vehicle or auto salvage yard is a business that acquires or owns salvaged vehicles. These establishments store, buy, sell, or process salvaged vehicles and their parts. Many of these businesses also work with junk cars and junk vehicle parts.
Vehicle salvage yards can dismantle cars and sell the components as spare parts. They may also rebuild or restore the vehicles and then resell them afterward. Some yards may also profit from crushing salvage or junk vehicles.
Salvage Automobile Definition
A salvage automobile is a vehicle with a salvage title. Most cars labeled “salvage” are those damaged by road collisions, fires, or floods. In many other cases, salvage vehicles are those declared by an insurance company as a total loss.
Most states prohibit the operation of vehicles with a salvage title. According to https://www.cashcarsbuyer.com/sell-salvage-car/, the same goes for totaled cars. That’s because these vehicles can already pose dangers to road users.
That doesn’t mean salvage cars are useless, though; they may still be restorable. In this case, the owner must rebuild or repair the car to full working order. From there, the owner can have the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) inspect it.
If the vehicle passes the inspection, the DMV then rebrands it as a “rebuilt” vehicle. This changes the salvage title to a rebuilt title.
Unfortunately, not all salvage cars are fixable, especially if they have excessive damage. In such cases, the law requires them to get a non-repairable tag. In some instances, salvaged cars with recoverable components can get a “parts-only” title.
Reasons to Sell a Salvage or Junk Car to a Salvage Yard
Selling to a salvage yard is a quick and easy way to make money from a used car, a junk car, or even one considered a total loss. In doing so, you may also avoid potential legal fines for keeping a deteriorating car. Proper disposal of such cars can prevent them from turning into hazards, too.
Exchanging Your Junk Car for Cash
Steel and iron alone account for about 65% of an average car. Both types of metals, in turn, are highly recyclable, with an average recycling rate of 90%.
Car batteries, carpets, seats and seatbelts, glass, tires, and wheels are also recyclable. Bumpers, fenders, mats, and even oil filters undergo recycling, too.
Because of their recyclability, even cars with severe damage are still worth something. That’s why auto salvage yards will pay you if you sell your junk car to them.
Reduce Health and Safety Risks
Over time, unprocessed wrecked cars can start to emit or leak dangerous gases and toxins. For starters, lead can seep out of degrading car batteries and mercury from lights. Freon and anti-freeze can drip out of tanks and contaminate the surrounding areas, too.
Rain or stormwater runoff can then carry those toxins all the way to marine waters. So, that junk car in your yard can actually be poisoning marine lifeforms.
Although not easy to ignite, scrap tires can also be dangerous as they still pose fire risks. Worse, once they do burn, it’s difficult to extinguish their flames. That’s because the average tire holds about 2.5 gallons of oil, which can then feed the flames to keep them burning.
Because of those health and safety risks, the US has strict laws on salvage and junk vehicles. For the same reasons, it’s best to hand over that heap of metal to a salvage yard for proper disposal.
Stay Away From Abandoned Vehicle Penalties
Many states regard junk cars rotting out in home yards as abandoned vehicles. So long as the vehicle is visible to the public, other people can report it as a public nuisance vehicle. If this happens, the owner is likely to face hefty penalties.
The fines vary from city and state, but most constitute hundreds of dollars. For example, in Denver, CO, a first offense comes with a mandatory minimum fine of $500. A second offense within a 2-year period can lead to a minimum penalty of $800, while a third can cost at least $999.
So, unless you have a garage or shed where you can keep your junk car from public view, you may end up paying those fines. If not, then it may be best to sell that pile of metal, plastic, and glass to a salvage yard.
Help Prevent Crime
According to the FBI, traffickers hide drugs in secret vehicle compartments. Almost any part of a motor vehicle, from a seat to a dashboard and even a tire, can feature these storage areas.
If you leave a junk car out in your yard, it can become a hiding place for such illicit substances. That’s definitely one thing you don’t want to happen, but it can, and it has to other people. That’s why as early as now, you should consider getting that junk car hauled away to a salvage yard.
Don’t Let Your Old or Junk Car Keep Rotting Away
As you can see, there’s not a lot of good reasons to keep an old or junk car that you no longer have any use for. It can even be dangerous, or at the very least, illegal. So, rather than letting it rot away out in the open, consider selling it to a vehicle salvage yard.
Looking for more innovative ideas on what to do with old cars or even home improvements? Browse our many other categories for our latest blog posts then!
