What to do with a damaged car in Ontario? (step-by-step guide)
If you have damaged or unwanted cars in Ontario and are wondering what to do next, then you are not alone, as several reports suggest there are approximately 91,750 reported motor-vehicle collisions in Canada in 2023 that result in injuries. However, the property-damage-only crashes are much more numerous, but a single national PDO total isn’t officially published, but it’s predicted that they could be tens of thousands. So you are not the only one who will deal with such a situation, so you don’t have to overthink, as there are various solutions available that can reduce your financial loss.
Schmidt’s Auto Recycling (formerly Earl’s Auto Parts), a fully licensed and MECP-approved recycler, is here with a clear, detailed guide you can follow now. The guide includes Ontario-specific rules, case studies from our scrapyard, money figures, and a printable checklist you can use while scrapping a damaged or unwanted car.
What to do With a Damaged Car?
Following are the steps one should follow to get rid of unwanted or damaged cars?
1. Safety first
If you were recently in an accident resulting in damage to your car, firstly, confirm whether anyone is hurt, and call 911. If no one is injured, move to a safe spot (such as the shoulder of the road or a nearby parking area). Take photos of damage, licence plates, the scene and anything else that might help during an insurance claim or dispute and exchange details with the other driver(s) to establish fault and speed up settlement.
2. Assess the Condition and Decide
Before deciding anything, randomly follow the tips below for a quick and accurate decision:
- Opt for repair if the damage is low and the car has good resale value in the market.
- You can also sell the car in parts if it has parts in good condition, but this process requires a little more time and knowledge, even though you may get paid more money than if you scrap it.
- Claim insurance if repairs exceed minor costs and you’re prepared for possible deductible and premium changes.
- Contact scrap car removal service and recycle the vehicle if the repair cost exceeds the overall vehicle value, or if the insurer declares it a total loss.
3. Get a Quick, Fair Scrap Quote (if scrapping)
If the car is older or repair-costly, then get quotes from licensed recyclers like Schmidts Auto Recycling, which offers free towing (same-day or next day), and transparent pay-outs or other programs like Retire Your Ride (handled by certified recyclers) to maximise value and ensure responsible recycling.
4. Transfer Ownership & Paperwork
If you sell or scrap the car, complete the transfer of ownership properly and notify the respective authorities, like the insurer (if any) and ServiceOntario, that the vehicle has been sold or scrapped. The process is simple, but most licensed and reputable facilities, such as scrapyards or auto recyclers, may assist you with your paperwork.
Short cases from Schmidts Auto Recycling
Case study 1: Mississauga: 2009 Honda Civic
What happened?
The engine was seized on the highway, and the repair cost exceeded its real market value, so the owner decided to scrap it.
- Decision: Owner chose to scrap. Same-day pickup to avoid shop storage fees.
- Timeline: Quote in the morning → pickup that afternoon → processed next day.
- Outcome: Customer received CA$520 cash.
Case study 2: Brampton: 2011 Dodge Caravan
What happened?
There was a front-end collision, and on the other hand, the insurer marked it not economically repairable.
- Decision: Owner cancelled repair claim, accepted free tow + instant cash from scrapper, transferred ownership immediately.
- Timeline: Quote Day 1 → tow Day 2 → dismantle Day 3.
- Outcome: Scrapped & recycled, and the customer received CA$750.
Why choose Schmidts Auto Recycling?
We started as Earl’s Auto Parts in the 1970s and rebranded to Schmidt’s Auto Recycling in 2023. Despite having years of experience in the field, we’re MECP-licensed, ARC-affiliated, and offer transparent pricing, free towing, same-day or next-day pickups, and handle all de-pollution and recycling per Ontario rules.
Ready to scrap damaged cars? Contact us for a free quote, same-day pickup, and top prices with no hidden fees or surprise deductions.
