Is your old car more of a burden than a benefit? Vehicle lifespans are increasing, with the average car in the US now lasting nearly 12 years. While this longevity is impressive, older vehicles often become less practical due to decreased fuel efficiency and frequent breakdowns. If you’re facing constant repairs with your aging car, it might be time to consider an alternative: selling your Car Parts Scrap.
The most valuable components of a car for scrap can fetch you a significant amount of money, potentially hundreds of dollars. This cash can then be a stepping stone towards a newer, more reliable, and safer vehicle.
Interested in learning more about how to profit from selling a car for scrap? Let’s dive into the details.
Why Consider Car Parts Scrap?
In 2018, the average US household spent nearly $10,000 on transportation annually. A significant portion of this, around $3,700, went towards vehicle maintenance and repairs, in addition to fuel and car payments. Older cars are notorious for their lower fuel economy. For example, 2010 models averaged around 34 mpg, considerably less efficient than 2017 models at nearly 40 mpg. As vehicles age, parts naturally degrade, leading to increased repair needs and costs that can quickly exceed the car’s actual market value.
Repeated trips to the mechanic for your old car might be a sign that it’s time to consider scrapping it. Ignoring necessary repairs is not only costly but also dangerous. Vehicle failure was a factor in over 44,000 car crashes between 2005 and 2007.
Furthermore, decaying car parts scrap can have serious health and environmental consequences. Corrosion releases heavy metals and chemicals that can contaminate soil and water, posing risks to humans, animals, and plants, including heavy metal poisoning and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
These factors make scrapping your old car a responsible and potentially profitable decision. If you possess the skills and time, selling individual car parts scrap can maximize your return. Let’s explore the most valuable car parts scrap you can sell for cash.
Engine: Top Value in Car Parts Scrap
The engine is undeniably one of the most valuable car parts scrap. Replacing an engine is a major expense, driving many car owners to seek used alternatives. If your engine is still functional, it’s highly sellable as a replacement. Even non-working engines retain value as car parts scrap due to their aluminum content, which is more valuable than steel.
However, selling an engine as car parts scrap requires preparation. You’ll need to remove it, drain fluids, and transport it, tasks often best handled with professional help.
Selling a Used Engine
A car engine converts fuel into motion through internal combustion, generating energy to power the vehicle. Engine failure, caused by issues like spark plug, oil pump, or piston problems, disrupts combustion, leading to overheating, unusual noises, or starting failure.
The engine’s critical role makes it a valuable car parts scrap. Engine rebuilds can cost up to $4,000, and replacements can reach $7,000, making used engines a sought-after commodity.
Here are two ways to monetize your engine as car parts scrap:
Selling to Engine Rebuilders
If your engine is repairable, consider selling it to engine rebuilders. They refurbish engines that pass inspection and resell them at a lower cost than new engines, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
Scraping for Metal
Even a completely defunct engine has scrap value. Most engines contain valuable aluminum in components like the block and heads. Aluminum’s higher scrap value compared to steel makes it a worthwhile car parts scrap component.
Transmission System: Valuable Car Parts Scrap
The global automotive transmission market is estimated at over $100 billion, highlighting the significant value of transmission systems as car parts scrap. The transmission transfers engine power to the wheels and regulates speed, crucial for vehicle control and safety. Without it, a car operates in a single gear, limiting speed and potentially preventing movement altogether, as it converts engine power into torque for wheel rotation.
Signs of transmission trouble include slipping gears, burning smells, and fluid leaks. Ignoring these can lead to complete transmission failure.
Selling the Transmission System
A repairable transmission system can be sold as-is to car parts buyers or repair shops seeking to avoid expensive repairs. The market for used transmissions, similar to used engines, is robust.
Scraping Transmission Metals
Transmission cases often contain substantial aluminum, potentially up to 85%. Steel, cast iron, and brass are also common metals within transmissions, all contributing to its value as car parts scrap.
Catalytic Converter: High-Value Car Parts Scrap
Catalytic converters, mandated by clean air regulations, reduce harmful vehicle emissions like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxide, which are major pollutants contributing to health problems and global warming.
The valuable metals inside catalytic converters, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, make them prime targets for theft, with thousands of incidents reported annually. Replacing a catalytic converter can cost up to $2,000. Instead of repair, consider selling it as car parts scrap.
Selling used catalytic converters is generally illegal for individuals. However, you can legally sell them to scrap yards for their material value. Converters typically contain 4-9 grams of precious metals, significantly impacting a junk car’s scrap price.
GPS System: Sellable Car Parts Scrap
While smartphones have become common GPS devices, a car’s built-in GPS system still holds value as car parts scrap. Even portable GPS units can add value when sold with the car or separately.
Fenders: In-Demand Car Parts Scrap
Fenders protect wheel wells and undercarriage areas. Often integrated with bumpers in modern cars, their replacement can be costly. Used fenders are in demand as cheaper alternatives, making them profitable car parts scrap.
Doors: Valuable Car Parts Scrap
Car doors offer protection and are valuable car parts scrap. Individual door components like window and mirror controls, locks, and sheet metal can be sold separately to maximize profit. Doors are frequently needed as replacements after accidents, increasing their value as spare car parts scrap. Even working parts like locks, handles, and mirrors have a market.
Bumpers: Frequently Replaced Car Parts Scrap
Damaged bumpers are common. Modern bumpers are multi-layered, combining aluminum, steel, fiberglass, and plastic to minimize low-speed impact damage. A bumper in good condition can fetch a good price as car parts scrap, especially if the vehicle make and model are popular or no longer in production, making spare parts harder to find. Bumpers are consistently in high demand due to frequent accident damage.
Battery: Recyclable Car Parts Scrap
While a car battery might only bring in around $20 as car parts scrap, recycling is environmentally responsible, keeping harmful chemicals out of the environment. Batteries can also be refurbished with distilled water and Epsom salt to extend their lifespan.
Air Conditioning System: Reusable Car Parts Scrap
Air conditioning components like compressors and condensers can be sold as car parts scrap. They can be reused in other vehicles or repurposed. Professional removal may be necessary.
Air Bags: Potentially Valuable Car Parts Scrap
Undeployed airbags in totaled cars can be sold as car parts scrap. While the airbag itself is relatively inexpensive, professional installation is costly (around $1,000). Used airbags offer a cost-saving alternative. Steering wheel and passenger airbags are particularly valuable. Caution: Airbag removal is dangerous and should only be done by professionals due to their explosive nature.
Windshield Wiper Arms: Minor Car Parts Scrap
Windshield wiper arms offer modest returns as car parts scrap, potentially up to $65 per arm depending on the model.
Tailgates: Truck Car Parts Scrap
Truck tailgates, especially custom or specialized ones, can be valuable car parts scrap if in good condition, potentially fetching hundreds of dollars.
Motor Oil & Oil Filters: Recyclable Car Parts Scrap
Recycling motor oil and filters is environmentally responsible. Oil doesn’t wear out, it just gets dirty, and proper disposal ensures it can be reused. Oil filters can be cleaned and refurbished.
Radio: Sellable Car Parts Scrap
Car radios, especially custom or upgraded systems, are sellable car parts scrap. Stock systems also have resale value for those needing replacements or upgrades. Online marketplaces are good venues for selling radios.
Infotainment System: Tech Car Parts Scrap
Modern infotainment systems with touchscreens are highly sought-after car parts scrap due to their multifunctionality, enhancing vehicle control and safety. Functional systems can be sold to car accessory shops, pawnshops, or online. Complete sets with navigation and stereo systems are more valuable. Even non-functional parts have scrap value in their electrical components, motherboards, and wiring.
Wheels and Tires: Profitable Car Parts Scrap
Wheels and tires are profitable car parts scrap. Aluminum alloy wheels are particularly valuable, but even steel wheels have scrap value. Tires with good tread are more valuable. Larger SUV or truck tires fetch higher prices.
Selling Wheel and Tire Sets
Complete wheel and tire sets in good condition are sellable, simplifying removal.
Selling Tires and Wheels Separately
Tires and wheels can be sold individually to cater to different buyer needs. Good condition tires are more desirable.
Scraping Tires and Wheels
Worn tires and damaged wheels still have scrap value for recycling, preventing landfill waste.
Car Seats: Desirable Car Parts Scrap
Car seats, both front and rear, are desirable car parts scrap if in good condition, as they can wear out, stain, or rip.
Radiator: Aluminum Car Parts Scrap
Radiators, crucial for engine cooling, are valuable car parts scrap. They contain significant aluminum, similar to engines, adding to their scrap value. Coolant removal is necessary before selling.
Windshield: High-Demand Car Parts Scrap
Automobile glass, especially windshields and windows, is high-demand car parts scrap due to frequent damage from accidents and road debris.
Air Conditioning System: Reusable Car Parts Scrap
Air conditioning system parts, again, are reusable and sellable as car parts scrap.
Lights: Spare Car Parts Scrap
Headlights and taillights in good condition are sellable spare car parts scrap. High-end lights like Xenon lights are more valuable.
Turn Car Parts Scrap into Quick Cash
As you can see, your old car is a treasure trove of valuable car parts scrap. Parting out your car can be profitable if you have the time, skills, and tools to dismantle it and research part values.
However, selling your entire car to a junk car buyer like Cash Auto Salvage offers a faster, easier solution. They provide free towing, quick pickup, and on-the-spot payment, saving you the labor and time of selling individual car parts scrap.
If you prefer a hassle-free approach, selling your whole car is the quickest way to turn your clunker into cash. Get an instant offer now and discover your car’s worth!
