When you have a junker of a car that you want to remove from your driveway permanently, you have three primary options -- selling it as a "fixer-upper," selling it to an auto salvage yard, or selling it to a scrap metal yard. (Donating a car for the tax write-off may serve as an alternative to an outright sale in these cases.) Which option makes the most sense for your needs, goals, and lifestyle? Here are three situations that may help dictate your final choice.

1. No One Wants to Buy Your Non-Running Vehicle

You'll always get as much money as possible for your vehicle by selling it to a private party. Unfortunately, this kind of sale can often prove difficult, time-consuming, or even impossible. A non-running vehicle may be especially hard to sell unless your prospective buyer is a mechanic or has ready access to cheap mechanic services. If you don't have time to show your car to countless tire-kickers and you can't get a decent offer from a dealer, you may find it a great relief to have the vehicle hauled away to the nearest scrap yard or scrap metal yard.

2. You're Into Recycling

Cars contain a variety of materials that can be recycled and reused, along with many toxic substances that need to be removed with care and disposed of safely. If you prefer to have your care dealt with in the most environmentally friendly way possible, skip the auto salvage yard and seek out scrap metal yards instead. The scrap metal yard will evaluate the amounts of different types of metals in your car and then pay you one flat fee. You may not earn as much this way as you might by selling the car to an auto salvage yard, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you accelerated its journey to the recyclers.

3. You Have Other Metals to Sell

Buyers interested in your scrap car won't necessarily be in the market for an old refrigerator, bicycle, or metal shelf. If you want to get rid of an old vehicle alongside other non-usable metal objects, scrap metal yards will be more than happy to oblige you. Sending the whole collection over to a scrap metal yard can help you clear out your garage in a single, trouble-free step.

Every auto salvage company and scrap metal yard will have its own specific rules and preferences, so it pays to do your homework in advance. Call your local facilities, ask plenty of questions, and collect as much information as you can before making your move. Then put the money you receive toward a shiny new vehicle or anything else you may want.

To learn more, contact a company like TNT Auto Salvage.

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