How to Sell Your Car with a Blown Engine and Still Get Top Dollar
Are you tired of that old car sitting in your driveway? The motor is no good, it barely works, and you just want to get rid of it. Well, you can sell a car with a blown engine and still get top dollar.
A blown motor is absolutely avoidable, but if you ignored the signs of a blown engine and continued driving your car, the damage is irreversible.
Don’t give up just yet, though—just because the engine doesn’t run doesn’t mean the car is worthless.
What to do With a Car with a Blown Engine
What are you going to do with the car? Selling is the best option for anyone unprepared for extensive and expensive repairs of a blown engine.
There is no simple solution to this problem. Damaged pistons from broken timing belts, blown head gaskets, and crankshaft failure cause a blown bottom end. When this happens, you’ll have to figure out what to do with your car that doesn’t run.
Here are a few things that you can do with a car that has a blown engine:
- Rebuild or replace: You can rebuild the engine or replace it. Both will require that you are skilled at automotive repair. You must also consider the cost and the overall value of the vehicle.
- Trade the car: Dealerships will take a trade-in in almost any condition, even if the engine is blown. You won’t get top dollar, but they will give you some value towards buying a new vehicle.
- Sell it for parts: There are options online for posting car parts for sale. You can also sell them by word of mouth or cold-call local mechanics to see if they are interested in purchasing car parts.
How to Sell a Car with a Bad Engine
Car care professionals say the typical value in the motor averages to be about 20 percent of the car’s overall worth. For this reason, the logical choice is to sell your car with a blown engine.
Before you put your car up for sale, there are three things to do first. Take an opportunity to review this information to ensure that you get more money when you sell.
1. Check Overall Condition
Since you are selling the vehicle, it is vital to know where the car still retains value even though the motor doesn’t work. Walk around the car and pay close attention to any dents, dings, and damage. Take notes on a pad of paper. Even minor wear-and-tear must be noted. You will need this information later.
Think like a buyer. What would you want to know is wrong with the car? Check everything, from vents to handles to mirrors and safety belts.
2. Consider Selling Options
The next step is to get the best deal on the remaining value of your car. First, find out who buys cars that don’t run. For example, Jeep owners love their Jeeps, even when they don’t run. Why? Probably because, regardless of the year, many of the parts are interchangeable.
That may not be why they love their Jeeps, but it will be why they buy your defective Jeep. Yet, private parties are not your only option.
3. Consult Trusted Professionals
An auto service technician can be an incredible resource for you when you blow the engine in your car. Even if you decide working on the car doesn’t make sense financially.
According to AAA, two-thirds of people feel like they can trust a mechanic to be honest and upfront. If you have an auto mechanic you can trust, they can be an excellent source to help you sell your automobile—and if he doesn’t buy your vehicle, ask if he knows anyone who would.
If you don’t know a mechanic, other automotive professionals can talk to you about where to sell your car. They can also help you get the best deal.
The Value of a Car with a Blown Engine
There are tools online that you can use to determine the blue book value of the car. With the notes you took earlier in hand, carefully input the data.
Be thorough. You will not get an accurate appraisal of your car if you are not straightforward with its condition. The more information that you provide to the online tool, the more confident you will be with the figures.
Make sure to mark the place where it asks about the condition of the engine.
An auto technician can appraise the value for you if you are concerned you won't be capable yourself. You can contact Consumer Reports, who can help you locate a trusted mechanic.
How to Get the Best Deal When Selling Your Car with a Blown Engine
That old car in your driveway is more than a nuisance. It’s cash sitting in your driveway. Regardless of how you choose to remove the vehicle, you can make money off that hunk of junk. A blown engine doesn’t have to stop you from selling your car.
U.S. Junk Cars buys used cars that no longer run. You can even get a cash offer over the phone. With 28 years’ experience in the junk car removal industry, you can trust that you will get top dollar for your junk car.
Their friendly and knowledgeable service representatives are here to walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have. They don’t require any personal information to start, and if you don’t have the keys or the title, they will still buy your car.
Do you have a car with a blown engine and are ready to sell? Contact us today at U.S. Junk Cars so that we can get you top dollar when you sell us your car with a bad motor.