So, the day has finally come. Well, that old car sitting in your Perth driveway – the one which has served you well but is now nothing more than a garden ornament – is ready for its last trip. Or maybe you’ve had a bad accident, and your car is for the wreckers. You realize the smart decision is to ring up some car wrecker, get cash for it and open things up.
But for many, that’s where the confusion sets in. “Most of us don’t do it very often, and it can feel like a black hole.” How does it work? Am I gonna get a decent price? What do I need? What are the potential pitfalls?
Before you pick up the phone, breathe. However, with a little preparation you can take the stress out of the process and make this relatively quick and easy. At WA Auto Parts, we’re the market’s leading supplier of used auto parts. With a massive stock of parts for most makes and models, we’ve got you covered up and down the coast. An informed customer is a satisfied customer.
This guide will take you through the 5 most crucial things to know before you place that call. If you have these ducks in a row, then you can negotiate with any car wrecker with confidence.
Know Your Vehicle’s Exact Details
You don’t call a builder and ask for an estimate on building “a house.” But there’s no way they could answer without more information about the size, materials and location. Dealing with a car wrecker is no exception. We can only be as precise as the information you provide us. Without specifics, you can expect to receive a very general estimate that we’ll be sure to walk-back the minute we inspect the car.
To ensure you receive an accurate, reliable quote from the start, take five minutes to gather this key information:
Make, Model and Year: This is basic. Probably a “2007 Subaru Forester” is preferable to “old Subaru.”
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Every car has a unique 17-character identifier, which can be found on the dashboard or driver’s side door jamb. T he VIN code enables us to precisely determine the equipment of your car, such as the body variant or type of engine.
Overall Condition: Here is where being truthful is the best policy. We’ve seen it all, so don’t think your car will be judged. Tell us: Is it running still? Is there any accident, and if yes what is the main damage? Any big parts missing (e.g. engine, radiator or wheels)? The more precise your description, the more firm our quote will be.
Expected Kilometres on the Odometer: Just in case the battery still goes and you can read the dash a kilometre reading always helps.

That way, you’re ready to answer when you contact us on (08) 9358 1392, and our team can give you a realistic price based on reality. It forms the basis for a transparent transaction without surprises.
Keep Your Proof of Ownership Papers Handy
This is an important one and non-negotiable for any operator worth its salt. What About Proof Of Identity Potentially stolen car wreckers are required by law to be sure the owner is the one who is selling or ditching a car. The atmosphere is so that everyone is being watched, because no one will want to trade or discard a hot car. Attempting to sell a car without the proper paperwork is a giant red flag on our end, and it will slam the brakes on things faster than you can say “used #car for sale.”
Before you decide to sell that car to the salvage yard, find these:
Evidence of Dominian: Evidence of the documents relating to your vehicle is the Certificate of Registration, for Western Australia means. It is this document which can show that the car legitimately belongs to you. Importantly, even if the registration has lapsed, it doesn’t matter. The document is the evidence of ownership.
Personal Photo ID: You MUST have a current government-issued photo ID (i.e. Driver’s License). The name on your identification must match the name of the Certificate of Registration.
It will make your life soooo much easier to have both of these in your hands by the time you make contact. It proves that you are ready for a professional and legal transaction and means that you will not find yourself in the exasperating position of having everything all worked out – only to be tripped up by being without a piece of the paperwork puzzle.

Know How Your Car Is Truly Valued
There’s a reason for the amount of money that a wrecker will give you — and it’s not just some arbitrary number. It’s a precise number, based on a few key factors. Knowing these things helps you set realistic expectations and see where the true value is, which in most cases is not what you think.
We Totally Evaluate the Value of Your Unwanted Car Since we are a Japanese, European, Australian, Korean and American car specialist parts company. Here’s what goes into your quote:
Scrap Metal Weight Your car is, at its heart’s core, a giant clump of metal. Much of its value derives from its weight in steel, aluminium and other metals. That’s why heavier cars, such as SUVs, 4WDs and vans tend to have a higher minimum value than an itty-bitty hatchback. They are traded on the world commodities market, and its price can impact the quote day by day.
Savable Components: And here is where our 15 years makes a difference. We don’t look at a wreck and see a heap of trash; we see a salvage yard of parts. Does the engine run well? Can the transmission be reused? Do the alternator and starter motor work? If you are driving a locally favored model, for vital working parts, then we have use for these which increases the value of your car to us.
High-Value Parts: A few individual parts are worth quite a bit. The most valuable is the catalytic converter, which contains a handful of precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium. These are also important for emission control and have a high recycling value.
Overall Condition and Completeness: As mentioned, a complete car not running is worth more than an empty shell. To the extent that essential parts are omitted, this should of course decrease in value.
You’ve just received a quote through WA Auto Parts — this already includes the factors mentioned above and has been tailored to deliver you the most competitive price we possibly can.
Explain the procedure and inquire about any possible hidden fees
Your association with a car wrecker isn’t meant to be combative. A reputable company should not hesitate to be open and explain how they operate. You have have every right to ask questions and the answers will tell you a lot about who you are dealing with.
Make sure you ask these crucial questions before accepting any offer:
“Are your removal or towing services for the car absolutely free of cost?” The answer for any decent Perth wrecker will be an absolute YES. Free towing is included with the service. And if a company is attempting to charge you for pickup, hang up and find someone else.
“Is the quote you’ve given me the bottom line? Ask them to state that there are no extra fees or surprises at the pick-up day. If a quote is firm, then by God it should be firm.
“When and how will I get paid?” You should never have to wait for your money.” The norm is that you are paid on the spot, with either cash in hand or an instant bank transfer (like Osko/PayID) before the tow truck drives away from your car.
“Do you take care of disposal paperwork? A professional service will take care of the paperwork and files with the Department of Transport which makes the process painless for you.
At WA Auto Parts our system is easy. We quote you. If you do, we book a free pickup when it works for you. We come out, verify the information, pay you on the spot and tow the car off. No fees, no fuss.

Do a 2-Minute Reputation Check
In the internet era, there’s no excuse these days for being stuck with a shady operator. A few minutes of basic due diligence could save you some heartache along the way and prevent you from falling for a potential scam, surprise rate hike, or unprofessional operation.
Read Online Reviews An astute online presence is what we‘re all after, so go on – do the Google thing and search for the company name. What other customers in Perth are saying pros who do the job? Look for consistent themes. Do they get respect for being on time, delivering the goods and as quoted? Or are there grumblings of low-balling and bad communication?
Find a License: An honest company should be licensed and insured. In WA they should have a Motor Vehicle Repairer’s Business Licence. This demonstrates they are responsible and in-line with industry best practice.
Professionalism Do they have website physical address. Can they answer the phone in a way that’s professional and polite, and patiently take care of your concerns? It’s in the little things that tend to represent their overall approach to business.
Conclusion: Call and Be Confidant
And there you have it. Know your car, bring your papers, determine its worth, clarify the process and check up on the company’s reputation.
By just following this very basic check list, you’ve gone from being an unsure seller to a well-informed and prepared sellers. The deal is now in your hands. You know enough to recognize a good operator, ask the right questions and do your best to get a good outcome.
Selling your old car should not be a stressful process. It is the ultimate, happy step in your car’s life cycle. Now that you’re armed and ready, your next call is sure to be a confident one.
If you’re looking to sell or recycle your junk car, put our 15 years of experience to the test. Speak to the reliable, experienced experts at WA Auto Parts today by calling (08) 9358 1392 now for a free no-obligation quote.




































