7 Important Things You Should Do Before Junking a Car

Did you know that 14 million tons of recycled steel come from junked cars each year?

Junking your car can be a great idea, especially if your old vehicle doesn’t work anymore. But before you ditch your old car, you’ll need to get a few things in order.

Here are seven things you’ll want to do before junking a car.

1. Remove Paperwork From the Glovebox

Most drivers keep paperwork related to their vehicle’s registration or maintenance in their car’s glovebox, as having these documents on-hand in the event of an accident can be helpful. Since these documents contain personal information, you’ll want to remove them and either store them in a safe location or shred them.

You’ll also need several of these documents when contacting your local Department of Motor Vehicles office.

2. Clear Your Personal Belongings

Next, it’s time to clean your car out and remove any valuables.

Start with your car’s CD player. Then, check the side compartments next to the seats, as well as the center console.

Don’t forget to look in less obvious areas, too, such as under the floormats and beneath the seats.

3. Remove Your License Plate

Once you’re sure you won’t drive the vehicle again, carefully remove your license plate from the vehicle. It’s an easy process and all you’ll need is a screwdriver.

Then, contact the DMV to find out whether or not you’re allowed to keep your old license plate or if you need to turn it in. Each state’s rules vary.

4. Take the Vehicle off of Your Auto Insurance Policy

Auto insurance is expensive enough as it is. You don’t want to pay for a vehicle that you’re not even using anymore!

Log into your provider’s website and remove the vehicle from your plan.  All in all, it should take less than five minutes to do.

5. Consider Removing and Selling Valuable Parts of Your Car

Certain aspects of your vehicle, like satellite radios or specialized emblems, are valuable to some. The same can be said of auto parts like your car’s battery, tires, engine, and more.

Should you junk these items, you’re practically tossing away free money, so consider removing them before junking the car.

6. Transfer the Title (if Necessary)

Not all states require a title transfer during the junking process. Again, you’ll want to visit your area’s DMV website to get the specifics.

If you do have to transfer, don’t worry, it’s an easy process. You should be able to find the necessary forms online.

7. Find a Great Price

You’ll want to shop around a bit before committing to a certain company or junkyard.

To get the most for your vehicle, you’ll want to start with nationally-recognized junk companies, as larger companies often have more resources and thus can often pay more cash for cars.

Follow These Steps Before Junking a Car

While junking a car is a great way to make some quick cash or get rid of your old clunker, you’ll want to make sure you have everything squared away before you say goodbye to your vehicle for good. Remember to keep important documents related to your vehicle safe and check if you’ll need to turn in your old license plate.

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