For some, a car is part of the family. There are memories held inside those four wheels, from passing your test and the road trips to romantic dates and the school runs.
Unfortunately though, no matter what the emotional attachment, cars can sometimes end up costing more in repairs to fix than they are worth. In this case, it’s probably time to say goodbye to that clunker and have it scrapped and recycled.
Here is our guide on what to consider and help you come to the best financial decision for you…
Firstly, you’ll need to know how much your car is worth, so you can compare this to the cost of keeping your car. Some online vehicle valuations to sell a used car don’t take into account your car’s condition, so if you have repairs that you don’t plan on fixing, this will diminish the value.
Don’t just assume a figure – repair costs vary depending on their scale and who you use. You can get a diagnosis and quote from a reliable mechanic or dealership and make sure you shop around for the best deal.
If you are leaning towards repairing your car rather than scrapping it, ask your mechanic how long you think the repairs will last for. Will your car be in working order for another three years? If so, it may make sense to go ahead. Or will another costly repair be needed after six months? Making this a much less appealing option.
If you rely on your car to commute to work, or your job or family situation requires your vehicle to drive long and vital journeys – you may want a new, more dependable car to avoid the breakdown headaches.
If you are less reliant on your car for responsibilities, then you can be more flexible and take more risks.
Also, is your car actually safe to drive? Are there airbags, seatbelts, perfectly working brakes etc.? Make sure you consider all the safety features.
How much do you spend maintaining your old car each month? These costs will need to be kept in mind during your sums when deciding if you’re going to keep your car.
Is your car rare or a classic? You’d be crazy to send a car like this straight to be recycled. Enthusiasts are likely to buy a collectible car from you, even if it needs repairs as they will fix it up. Do your research first.
In summary, you should find out and consider the following:
The bottom line is, if the cost of repairs (including predicted future ones), maintenance and ensuring it is safe, is higher than the sale value of the car – that’s the time to scrap.
Your car may be in working condition and not need any costly repairs, but you want a change of pace. You can still recycle your car or you may choose to privately sell it.
Privately selling a car, rather than recycling/selling to a dealership is likely to cost you in time though.
You’ll need to:
Scrapping your car can remove all the hassle and save you valuable time. Your car will be collected for free and you’ll get help with the paperwork sorted.
Just enter your car details and postcode for a free instant scrap car quote
