Is your old car gathering dust, costing you more in repairs than it’s worth? You’re not alone. In 2018, the average lifespan of vehicles in the US hit a record 11.8 years. And experts predict that by 2021, a staggering 84 million vehicles will be over 16 years old. While vehicle longevity is impressive, driving a car past its prime can be impractical. Older vehicles are often less fuel-efficient and more susceptible to breakdowns. If this sounds like your current ride, you might want to consider Scrap Cars For Parts. Selling valuable components from a scrap car can bring you a surprising amount of cash, potentially hundreds of dollars just from the most sought-after parts. This money can then contribute towards a newer, more reliable, and safer vehicle.
Interested in learning how to make the most of scrap cars for parts? Let’s dive into why scrapping your car and selling its components could be a smart move.
Why Consider Scrap Cars for Parts?
Household transportation expenses in 2018 averaged around $(9,761). A significant portion, $3,975, went towards vehicle purchase, and $2,109 on fuel. The remaining $3,677 likely covered maintenance and repairs. Both aging and poorly maintained vehicles are less fuel-efficient, increasing running costs. For example, 2010 light vehicles had an average fuel efficiency of just 33.9 mpg, considerably lower than the 39.4 mpg average of 2017 models. As vehicles age, fuel consumption tends to increase, and parts naturally wear out, leading to more frequent and potentially costly repairs.
Those recurring mechanic visits can quickly add up, sometimes exceeding the car’s actual market value. If your old car has become a regular in the repair shop, scrapping it might be the most sensible option. Neglecting necessary repairs is not only financially unwise but also dangerous. Vehicle failure was a contributing factor in over 44,000 car crashes between 2005 and 2007.
Furthermore, decaying and corroding car parts pose health and environmental risks. Exposure to heavy metals from old car parts can lead to serious health issues, including heavy metal poisoning and cancer! These metals and other vehicle fluids can contaminate soil and water, harming people, animals, and plant life. Corrosion also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
These reasons alone should be compelling enough to say goodbye to your clunker. If you have the skills and time, parting out your car and selling scrap car parts individually can be a profitable venture. Let’s explore the most valuable scrap car parts you can sell for cash.
Engine: A Top-Value Component for Scrap Cars
The engine is undeniably one of the most valuable components in scrap cars. Engine replacement is a major expense, driving many individuals to the secondhand market for more affordable options. The same principle applies to transmissions. If your engine is still running, it could be an easy sale to someone needing a replacement.
Even a non-functional engine retains value as scrap metal, particularly for its aluminum content. Aluminum is more valuable than steel, so be sure to consider any aluminum parts on your scrap car. However, selling an engine requires some preparation. Unless you’re selling the entire car, you’ll need to remove the engine, drain fluids, and transport it to a junkyard, possibly with professional help.
Selling a Used Engine
A car engine converts energy into motion, typically through fuel combustion. This process generates expanding gas, which the engine harnesses to move parts like gears, valves, and pistons. This energy then transfers to the transmission system, powering the wheels. Engine part failures, such as spark plugs, oil pumps, or pistons, disrupt combustion, leading to overheating, unusual noises, or starting issues.
Given its vital role, a vehicle engine is highly valuable. A complete engine rebuild can cost up to $4,000, while a full replacement can reach $7,000. This high cost makes selling your engine a lucrative first step when considering scrap cars for parts. Here are two ways to profit from this valuable component:
Selling to Engine Rebuilders
If your engine is repairable, consider selling it to engine rebuilders or remanufacturers. If it passes inspection, they will repair and resell it. Used engines are more affordable than new OEM parts, making them popular among buyers seeking engine replacements.
Scraping for Metal
Even if your engine is beyond repair, its metal components hold value. Most engines contain aluminum, especially in blocks and heads. Aluminum’s higher value compared to steel makes it a worthwhile scrap car part.
Transmission System
The global automotive transmission market is estimated at $(109.36 billion) and projected to reach $(130.25 billion) by 2026. These figures highlight the significant value of transmission systems. The transmission transfers engine power to the wheels and regulates energy to control speed. It allows drivers to adjust speed and is crucial for maintaining safe driving conditions. Without a transmission, a car would be stuck in a single gear, either at its maximum or minimum speed, if it moves at all. The transmission converts engine power into torque, which rotates the wheels and enables movement.
Signs of a failing transmission include slipping gears, burning smells, and fluid leaks. Ignoring these issues will eventually lead to complete transmission failure.
Selling the Complete System
If your transmission is repairable, selling it as-is to car parts buyers is an option. Some repair shops might purchase it to avoid costly repairs. Like used engines, used transmissions have a viable market.
Scraping for Metal
Aluminum is frequently used in transmission system cases, potentially comprising up to 85% of the system. Steel, cast iron, and brass are also common metals found in transmissions, making them valuable scrap car parts.
Catalytic Converter
The U.S. Clean Air Act spurred the invention of catalytic converters, mandating 75% emission reductions for 1975 vehicles. Since then, catalytic converters have become essential vehicle components, reducing harmful emissions like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxide. These pollutants are major health and environmental hazards linked to global warming.
Alt text: Close-up of a catalytic converter, a valuable part from scrap cars, showing its metallic honeycomb structure.
Catalytic converters are highly targeted by thieves, with around 4,000 thefts reported annually in the US. Replacement can cost up to $(2,000). Instead of paying for replacement and other repairs on an old car, consider scrapping it. Selling used catalytic converters is often illegal; however, you can legally sell them for scrap. Converters contain valuable metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, typically 4 to 9 grams per converter. Car scrap yards are the best place to sell them. Catalytic converters significantly influence a junk car’s price, so knowing if yours is intact is crucial.
GPS System
While smartphones have largely replaced dedicated GPS devices, a built-in car GPS system from scrap cars can still fetch a good price. Even portable GPS units can add value when selling scrap car parts.
Fenders
Fenders are often overlooked until damage occurs. They protect wheel wells and the car’s undercarriage. Modern cars often integrate fenders with bumpers, increasing replacement costs. Used fenders are sought after as a more affordable alternative, making them profitable scrap car parts.
Doors
Car doors provide essential protection from the elements and are valuable scrap car parts. While seemingly single components, doors consist of various parts like window and mirror controls, locks, and sheet metal, all sellable separately to maximize profit. Accident repairs often necessitate door replacements, creating demand for used doors and their components.
Bumpers
Damaged bumpers are a common sight. Modern bumpers are complex, multi-layered structures made of aluminum, steel, fiberglass, composites, and plastic, designed to minimize damage in low-speed collisions. A bumper in good condition from scrap cars can earn you a considerable sum. Front bumpers, especially if the car was rear-ended, might be in excellent condition. Demand for bumpers is consistently high due to frequent accident damage. Even bumpers from less common or discontinued models can be valuable due to parts scarcity.
Alt text: Variety of car bumpers, showcasing different styles and materials, highlighting bumpers as valuable scrap car parts.
Battery
Scrapping a car battery yields around $20, but recycling it prevents harmful chemicals from entering the environment. Alternatively, refurbishing a battery with distilled water and Epsom salt can extend its life by approximately five years.
Air Conditioning
A malfunctioning car AC is a major discomfort. Fortunately, AC system parts like compressors and condensers from scrap cars can be sold. They can be reused in other vehicles or repurposed. Professional removal might be necessary before selling.
Air Bags
Undeployed airbags in totaled cars can be valuable. While airbag replacement costs a few hundred dollars, professional installation can approach $1,000. Used, but unused airbags are a cost-saving alternative. Steering wheel and front passenger airbags are particularly valuable. Caution: Airbag removal is dangerous and should only be performed by professionals due to their explosive nature. Damage during removal reduces their scrap value.
Windshield Wiper Arms
While not high-value, windshield wiper arms from scrap cars can still bring in some money, potentially up to $65 per arm depending on the model.
Tailgates
Truck tailgates, though simple, can be worth a few hundred dollars if in good condition. Custom or specialized tailgates can fetch even higher prices as scrap car parts.
Motor Oil & Oil Filters
Recycling motor oil and oil filters isn’t highly profitable, but motor oil doesn’t wear out, it just gets contaminated. Proper disposal at recycling stations or garages ensures it can be reused. Oil filters can also be cleaned, refurbished, and reused after oil removal.
Radio
A functional car radio from scrap cars is always desirable, especially if it’s an upgraded aftermarket system. Even stock radios have resale value. Custom audio systems and speakers are particularly valuable interior parts. Online platforms can be used to sell radios to individuals seeking upgrades.
Infotainment System
By 2019, eight in ten cars in the US had dashboard touchscreens. Infotainment systems, popular for their multifunctionality, enhance vehicle control and safety with audio, video, and hands-free features. Functional infotainment systems from scrap cars can be sold to car accessory shops, pawnshops, or electronics stores. Complete sets with navigation, touchscreen, and stereo are more valuable. Online sales through forums and social media can yield higher prices from individual buyers. Even non-functional units have value in their electrical terminals, motherboards, wiring, glass, and plastic components for scrap.
Wheels and Tires
Alt text: Set of car wheels and tires, illustrating different rim styles and tire treads, valuable for resale or scrap from old vehicles.
If safely removable, complete wheel sets (rims and tires) from scrap cars can be sold. Aluminum alloy wheels are more valuable, but even steel wheels have scrap value. Tires with good tread and newer condition are more profitable in the secondhand market. Large tires from SUVs or trucks command higher prices. Even seemingly worthless old wheels and rims can be valuable to car enthusiasts or modification specialists, especially aluminum wheels.
Selling Wheels and Tires
- Complete Sets: Sell complete wheel and tire sets in good condition to buyers with matching car models for easier parting out.
- Separately: Sell tires and wheels separately if wheels are needed for another vehicle or if buyers only want one component. Sell good condition tires to parts buyers.
- Scrap: Worn-out tires and wheels still have scrap value for recycling, preventing landfill waste, although profit will be lower. California alone generates 51 million reusable and waste tires annually, highlighting the scale of tire disposal in just one state.
Car Seats
Car seats, both front and rear, from scrap cars are valuable junkyard parts. Seats in good condition are desirable replacements due to wear and tear, staining, and rips in original seats. Auto salvage yards are good places to start selling.
Radiator
Radiators, crucial for engine cooling, are valuable functional parts from scrap cars. They also contain significant aluminum, like engines, increasing their scrap value. Coolant must be drained before removal and selling.
Windshield
Automobile glass is valuable and frequently needed as a replacement part due to breakage in minor accidents. Windshields and windows also get damaged by rocks and hail, creating demand for replacement glass from scrap cars.
Lights
Headlights and taillights from scrap cars, if undamaged, can be sold as spare parts. High-end lights like Xenon lights are more valuable. Headlights are prone to damage in accidents, ensuring consistent demand.
Turn Your Old or Junk Car Into a Quick Source of Cash Now
This guide outlines the most valuable car parts for scrapping. Even old or non-running cars contain valuable components. If you have the time, skills, and tools, parting out your car and selling these parts can be profitable. However, it requires time for disassembly, parts valuation research, and finding buyers. For a faster, easier solution, consider selling your junk car to a car buying company. Companies like Cash Auto Salvage offer free towing, quick pickup, and immediate payment.
If you prefer a hassle-free approach and want to avoid the labor and potential mistakes of DIY part-out, selling your entire car is the quickest way to get cash.
Ready to sell your used, junk, or totaled car? Get an instant offer now and discover your car’s worth!
