When researching the question, “how much money do you get for a junk car?” you are likely to come across two solutions: selling junk cars or selling used car parts. When you’re looking to get rid of a car, both are valid options. 

Sure, when junking a car, most individuals will sell the whole vehicle for one lump sum. However, someone familiar with the market knows it’s often more profitable to sell junk cars for parts than simply getting a cash offer for the entire piece.  

So, if you’re looking to sell used car parts, it may be worth investigating how to sell a car for parts. If this is you, keep these five tips in mind as you start your research.

1. Finding the Right Place to Get Rid of Parts of a Car

Selling an old car can be a tedious process unless you turn to a company that will pay for junk cars. Many auto enthusiasts, though, maybe knowledgeable enough about the parts of a car to make a better profit by selling used car parts instead.  

To learn more about the car parts market, you’ll want to start by researching the question, “who buys car parts?” In most cases, you’ll find individuals who are looking for specific car parts. While public marketplaces, such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay, are often filled with private individuals looking for specific parts, there are many car junking companies that are also willing to pay cash for car parts. So, make sure you do plenty of research before you start listing your parts for sale. 

2. Getting Rid of Car Parts: Drafting a Car Parts List 

Once you’ve researched who buys car parts, it’s time to start making a list of the basic parts of a car. You’ll want to know the make of the vehicle and the vehicle model so that you can look up the parts and pieces that are worth selling. Knowing the car make and model is the best way not only to identify the car but also to ensure you are listing the correct parts for sale. 

Some of the most valuable parts of a car worth reselling include, but are not limited to:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Catalytic Converter

The good news: most any part of your car is worth reselling, even if you are just scraping the metal. 

3. Make Sure You Test Everything Before Attempting to Sell Used Car Parts

Before you can sell an old car for parts, you’ll need to test each part. Selling a defective part can not only put the buyer at risk but also make you liable for anything that may happen should the part misfire. 

The best way to do this is to run a few tests to look for:

• Water leaks
• Smoke leaks
• EVAP/vacuum leaks
• Gas Leaks
• Coolant leaks
• Sparking
• Dead battery and more

If you don’t know how to test the individual parts, have a professional do it for you. 

4. Take Pictures of the Parts for Listing

Once you’ve made your list of car parts and tested them, you’ll want to start taking their pictures. This is important not only for posting your parts online for selling but also for documenting the state of each piece. With pictures, buyers can’t come back and claim there was damage to the part at the time it was sold to them. 

Photographing your car’s parts can be as simple as laying them out on the ground and taking multiple shots of the part. However, to ensure that you are getting the best pictures, lay each piece out on a clean backdrop instead of on an old shelf or dirty garage floor. 

5. Make Sure You Set Realistic Prices

Finally, once everything is set, it’s time to list your car parts for sale. Note that to get the best price for your auto parts, you must set realistic standards. For instance, while a brand-new catalytic converter may sell for a couple of hundred dollars, a used one may only go for $70 or $80 depending on its condition. 

While you want to make the most of your parts, you must keep in mind that when selling used, you want to price things to sell. 

Get Money for Your Junk Cars

When trying to get rid of a car, selling used car parts can be quite the undertaking. That’s why many individuals decide to sell an old car as is for a lump sum of cash. The good news? There are plenty of reputable junk car buyers out there to help simplify the process for you. Just take your time and make sure you conduct plenty of research to find the right outfit for your needs.