If you have a car sitting in the driveway, garage or on the street that you rarely — or never — drive, it may be time to decide what to do with it. An unused car still takes up space, can lose value over time and may eventually become more expensive to keep.
So, what are your options? You could sell it privately, trade it in, keep it for occasional use, donate it where available, or sell it to a car removal or cash for cars company. The right choice depends on the vehicle’s condition, value, registration status and how quickly you want to move it on.
If the car has become more of a hassle than a useful asset, selling it for cash and having it removed can be a practical option.
What should you do with a car you no longer use?
The best option depends on the car and your circumstances. If the vehicle is relatively new and in good condition, a private sale or trade-in may make sense. If it is old, damaged, unregistered or no longer reliable, selling it to a car removal company can be much easier.
Before making a decision, consider:
- The current condition of the car
- Its approximate market value
- Whether it is registered
- Whether it is still safe to drive
- Repair and maintenance costs
- How much space it takes up
- How quickly you want to sell it
There is no point spending thousands on repairs simply to make an old car easier to sell if those repairs will not add similar value to the vehicle.
Why keep a car you hardly ever drive?
It is easy to think an unused car is harmless because it is just sitting there. In reality, ownership can come with ongoing costs and maintenance.
Even a vehicle that is rarely driven can develop problems. Batteries can go flat, tyres can deteriorate, fluids and seals can cause issues, and mechanical components may suffer when a vehicle sits unused for long periods.
You may also be paying for registration, insurance, servicing or storage while getting very little use from the car.
For example, imagine you have an older second car that you only drive a few times a year. If it needs a new battery, tyres and other repairs before it can be driven safely, keeping it may no longer make financial sense.
Sometimes selling the car is simply the more practical choice.
Is it better to sell an unused car privately?
Selling privately can potentially give you a higher selling price, particularly if the car is desirable and in good condition. However, it usually requires more time and effort.
You may need to:
- Take photos of the vehicle
- Write an advertisement
- Answer calls and messages
- Arrange inspections
- Deal with price negotiations
- Organise test drives
- Complete the required paperwork
- Wait for the right buyer
There is also no guarantee that your first buyer will follow through.
Private selling can work well when you have a clean, roadworthy vehicle and are prepared to wait for a suitable buyer. But if your car is damaged, very old, unwanted or no longer running, finding a private buyer can be much harder.
Should you trade in an unused car?
If you are buying another vehicle, trading in your old car may be convenient. The dealer handles the transaction as part of the purchase, so you do not have to advertise the vehicle yourself.
The downside is that the trade-in offer may be lower than what you could potentially receive through a private sale. Dealers also need to consider their costs when preparing and reselling the vehicle.
A trade-in can still be worthwhile if convenience matters more to you than getting the absolute highest possible price.
If you are not buying another car, however, there is little reason to trade one in. Selling it separately may give you more flexibility.
What if the car is damaged or no longer running?
A car does not necessarily need to be running to have value.
Old, damaged and non-running vehicles can still contain useful components and recyclable materials. Depending on the vehicle, parts such as engines, transmissions, panels, wheels, batteries and other components may have value.
This is where car removal services can be particularly useful.
Instead of paying to repair a vehicle that is no longer worth repairing, you can get an assessment or quote from a car removal company. If you accept the offer, the company can generally arrange a suitable time to collect the vehicle.
For someone with a dead, damaged or unwanted car taking up space, this can be much simpler than trying to find a private buyer.
Can you sell an unregistered car?
Yes, unregistered cars can often be sold, but the process is different from selling a normally registered vehicle.
An unregistered vehicle should not simply be driven on public roads because registration, insurance and road-use requirements apply. Depending on your state or territory, there may also be specific requirements for transferring ownership, cancelling registration or obtaining permits.
If the vehicle is unregistered and cannot legally be driven, ask the buyer or removal company how they will collect it. A professional car removal service can usually arrange transportation rather than expecting you to drive the vehicle to them.
Always check the relevant requirements in your state or territory before completing the sale.
What happens if the car is no longer roadworthy?
A vehicle that is unsafe to drive should not be driven simply because you want to sell it.
Problems such as serious brake issues, damaged steering or suspension, major tyre problems or significant structural damage can make a vehicle unsafe on public roads.
If your car is not roadworthy, tell the potential buyer or car removal company about its condition. Providing accurate information helps them understand what is involved in collecting the vehicle.
For a non-roadworthy vehicle, having it transported is usually the safer and more practical option.
Should you repair an old car before selling it?
Not always.
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make with unwanted vehicles. They spend money repairing an old car because they assume every repair will increase its selling price.
That is not necessarily the case.
Suppose your car is worth around $3,000 in its current condition but needs $2,000 worth of mechanical repairs. Spending the money does not automatically mean you will sell it for $5,000.
Before repairing an old vehicle, compare the likely selling price after repairs with the cost of the repairs, as well as the time and effort involved.
For an older or heavily damaged vehicle, selling it in its current condition may be the more sensible option.
What information should you have before selling your car?
Having the basic details ready can make the selling process much easier.
Try to gather:
- Make and model
- Year of manufacture
- Registration details, if applicable
- Vehicle identification details
- Approximate kilometres
- General condition
- Known mechanical problems
- Accident or damage history
- Service records, if available
- Number of keys
- Finance information, if applicable
You do not need to know everything about the vehicle. Honest information about its condition is more useful than trying to make the car sound better than it is.
Photos can also help when requesting a quote, especially if the vehicle has visible damage.
What documents do you need when selling an unwanted car?
The exact requirements can vary depending on where you live in Australia and whether the vehicle is registered.
Generally, you should have identification and relevant vehicle ownership or registration information available. You may also need to complete paperwork relating to the sale and notify the relevant state or territory authority when required.
If you are unsure about the paperwork, check your state or territory’s official transport authority requirements before completing the transaction.
A reputable car removal company should also be able to explain what information they need from you before collecting the vehicle.
What happens when you sell a car to a car removal company?
The process is usually straightforward.
First, you provide information about your vehicle, such as its make, model, year, condition and location. The company assesses the vehicle and provides an offer based on factors such as its condition, demand, usable parts and scrap or recycling value.
If you accept the offer, a collection time is arranged. The vehicle is then transported from your property to the appropriate facility.
Depending on the company and vehicle, the car may be inspected, dismantled for usable parts or processed for recycling.
The exact process varies between companies, so it is worth asking about payment, collection and paperwork before agreeing to the sale.
How can you get the best value for an unwanted car?
Getting the best value does not always mean choosing the highest advertised offer. You should also look at the overall deal.
Ask:
- Is the quote based on the actual condition of the vehicle?
- Is vehicle collection included?
- Are there any collection or towing fees?
- When will payment be made?
- What paperwork is required?
- Does the company accept damaged or non-running vehicles?
- Is the offer clear and straightforward?
A quote that looks attractive initially may not be as good if additional fees are deducted later.
It is also worth comparing a few offers if you have time. Providing accurate information about your car will help you receive more realistic quotes.
What happens to an unwanted car after it is removed?
An unwanted vehicle does not necessarily go straight to a scrap pile.
Depending on its condition, a vehicle may be assessed for reusable components. Parts that are still in good condition can potentially be removed and reused in other vehicles.
Metal and other recyclable materials can also be recovered during vehicle recycling. This helps reduce the amount of automotive waste going to landfill and gives useful materials another purpose.
For an old vehicle that has reached the end of its useful life, responsible recycling can be a much better option than leaving it abandoned on a property.
Is keeping an unused car ever a good idea?
Yes. Selling is not always the right answer.
You might want to keep the vehicle if it has sentimental value, is a classic or collectible model, is being restored, or you have a genuine future use for it.
If you decide to keep it, however, do not simply leave it untouched for years. Proper storage and periodic maintenance can help prevent avoidable problems.
For a standard older vehicle that you have no plans to use or restore, though, keeping it indefinitely may only delay an inevitable decision.
What is the easiest option for an unwanted car?
For a car that is still valuable and in good condition, a private sale may be worth the extra effort.
For a vehicle that is old, damaged, unwanted, unregistered or no longer running, a car removal service can often be the more convenient option. You can avoid advertising the car, arranging multiple inspections and dealing with buyers who may not be serious.
The biggest advantage is convenience: instead of having an unwanted vehicle sitting around, you can arrange for it to be collected and move on.
How do you know when it is time to get rid of your old car?
There is no single rule, but a few signs can make the decision easier.
If you rarely drive the car, repairs are becoming more frequent, registration and insurance are costing money, or the vehicle is simply taking up valuable space, it may be worth getting a quote.
The same applies if you have already replaced it with a newer vehicle and the old one has been sitting unused for months.
Take a realistic look at the situation. If you cannot remember the last time you drove the car, that may tell you something.
An unused car can quickly turn into a forgotten expense. Selling it can free up space, reduce ongoing costs and put some money back in your pocket.
If you have an old, damaged or unwanted vehicle sitting around, you do not necessarily need to spend more money fixing it or wait months for a private buyer. Take a look at its condition, understand your selling options and compare a few offers. In many cases, a straightforward car removal service can turn a vehicle you no longer need into cash while taking care of the collection at the same time.
If you are in Elsternwick, and looking for a cash for cars service, this is the best way to visit us.
Richmond Cash 4 Cars
(03) 7047 6388