5 Must Sell Car Parts Before You Scrap Your Car
Each year, millions of new vehicles are registered in Canada, but when a car reaches the end of its life, it’s sold for scrap for recycling, and the seller gets some cash in return. If you have a scrap car and want to scrap it, then you must stop for now and think bigger and maximize your payout by selling the valuable auto parts separately, because reusable parts can fetch far more cash than the whole vehicle as scrap.
In this guide, we will explore the auto parts one can sell before scrapping a car. But before diving deeper into it, let’s explore why you should sell.
Why Sell in Parts before Scrapping?
Typically, auto scrapyards or recycling centers value a scrap car by its weight in metal while overlooking its parts value. So, by removing and selling the usable auto parts and then scrapping the car, one can expect 5x to 10x more profit than scrapping a car as a whole. Although this process requires you to have proper market knowledge, and enough time for removing (7-8hours per vehicle), you may get a good payout.
Let's understand this with a real-world example. Suppose you have a non-running Toyota Corolla that can be sold for scrap somewhere at $400 - $1,100, but by selling its usable main parts like the catalytic converter or engine and then scrapping the rest of the body, you may expect to earn $700 - $1,800 or even more.
Must Sell Car Parts Before You Scrap Your Car
Canadians lose hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars every year by scrapping without stripping first. To avoid being counted in one of them, then take note of the following car parts you can sell before scrapping a car.
1. Catalytic Converter
It’s one of the most valuable components on most vehicles as it mostly contains precious metals, platinum, palladium, and rhodium that are attractive for buyers, and that’s why they pay top dollar for it. By selling a catalytic converter, you can expect to earn $40-$1,200 or even more, depending on various factors.
2. Engine
The engine is another auto part that can be sold for cash before scrapping a car completely. A working engine is also one of the most sought-after used parts on the market because, typically, car owners whose vehicle has suffered a mechanical failure can buy a used engine unit instead of investing in a newer one. Low-mileage engines in relatively good condition can be sold at a price of $100-$2,000 or more.
3. Wheels (rims)
You can expect to get paid around $150-$800 or more if you prefer stripping wheels. However, payout can vary if the wheels are in good condition, are made of premium metals such as aluminium, and the tire sets are mounted on rims.
4. Battery
Car batteries are a high-demand item, especially in the current era of the growing EV market. A standard automotive battery in good condition can fetch $30-$100, while batteries from hybrid or electric cars are considered significantly more valuable, worth $200 to $1,500.
5. Alternator & Starter Motor
Alternators and starters are components that fail regularly, as a result, more people are looking for used components to keep their vehicle running. You can easily sell a working alternator or starter from a popular model, at a payout ranging from $50-$200 per unit.
There are other components that can be sold separately in the scrap and used markets. These include AC components, transmissions, airbags, electronics systems and others. But we recommend only going with stripping main items if you are individually looking to maximise your payouts, not actively involved in part-selling business.
Pros & Cons
Stripping cars for parts before scrapping can be a smart move, but it’s not always the best option for everyone. Let’s take a look at the comparison:
Pros
- Higher Profit
- Better Value Control
- Contribution to the circular economy
Cons
- Time-Consuming Process
- Requires Tools & Skills
- No 100% guarantee of getting a higher payout
Final Thoughts
You can maximise your payout by stripping the car down into parts rather than scrapping it as a whole. To significantly boost your earnings, all you have to do is remove high-value parts like the catalytic converter, engine, wheels and sell them either on online marketplaces, local auto wreckers or auto repair workshops.
If you want to sell a car for parts or scrap a car in Ontario, contact us, and we will remove your car and pay you top cash ranging from CA$200 to CA$20,000.
