You’ve made the decision. The old car that’s been faithfully getting you around town has finally expired, and it’s time to send a wrecker. It’s a shrewd strategy — one that clears space, addresses an issue and puts cash in your pocket. But when the decision is made, the next question is a very reasonable one: “How do I get the most money for it?”
There’s a popular belief that when it comes to being bound for the wrecker, the value of a car becomes set in stone and there is nothing you can do about it. Some people even make the costly mistakes that actually lower their payout as they search for a better deal.
We here at WA Auto Parts know that as the best auto buyer and wrecker for over 15 years in Perth, transparency is key to conducting business. We do not want you to be short changed with your car. There is fair deal that is basis of our business. Which is why we’ve put together this straightforward no-nonsense guide to the Do’s and Don’ts of getting your car ready. Adhering to these tips will make the process smooth and painless for you, and hopefully allow you to maximize your cash payout.
Part 1: The DO’s – Brilliant Practices that Build Value
These are simple effective measures you can use to make your vehicle more attractive to a wrecker and the transaction professional and seamless.
DO Keep the Car Complete as Far as Can Be
This, unquestionably is the most significant piece of advice we can give you. When we quote, we are quoting the vehicle as one piece. A whole car, containing all of its parts when it doesn’t run, is worth a lot more to us than one that’s been stripped down. We view it as an entire resource mom, prepared for our systematic deconstruction. A car with missing parts means we’ll have to spend more time trying to figure out what else is missing and it immediately devalues the entire car.
DO Create a Valuable Component List
You don’t want to take parts, but you definitely want to be your car’s best advocate. Before you give us a ring, spend a few minutes doing an “asset audit.” Walk the outside perimeter of your car and jot down (either in your mind, on paper or on your smart phone) any parts that are new or nearly new.
That’s your list of talking points when you call us for an estimate. Don’t just say, “I have a 2010 Holden Cruze,” you should be saying, “I have a 2010 Holden Cruze. The engine’s still running beautifully, and there are four near-new tyres that I don’t want you to forget about – all right?” (The battery was only replaced three months ago, too.)
So whether you are looking for Japanese, European, Australian or Korean car parts, Ford falcon Used car parts Sydney can help! The more you identify them, the better we’re able to do that, and a lot of times it leads to a better offer.
DO Get Rid of Your Personal Items
That may not put a dollar value on your quote but it is one of those essential steps to make the whole experience as smooth and as painless as possible. Our cars are second homes in so many ways, as the years go on. They contain rogue sunglasses, important papers tucked in the glove box, kids’ toys beneath the seats and house keys and garage remotes.
The night before your tow truck is set to come, make a detailed and final sweep of every nook and cranny. Look in the glove box, the centre console, all of the door pockets, under each seat or in between them, back in the boot and even down where you store your spare tyre. This saves the heartache of realising you have lost something, be it sentimental or monetary. It also makes you look like an organised and professional seller, which is what we like!
DO Make Sure the Car Can Be Accessed
Pretend you’re our tow truck driver. It’s not simply showing up at the location to discover blocked-in by vehicles, locked through a gate stuck out behind a muddy compound on four flats. WA Auto Parts does offer free towing like always, so the easier you make your car to get to, the quicker and hassle-free it is for all of us.
If you can, create a path around the car. Of course, if the tyres are flat and hold air then inflating them to their operating pressures can go a long way. Also, if the vehicle is parked on-road, please ensure there is enough space for our truck to be able to drive around. Some foresight here saves a lot of heartache and eliminates the possibility of any hitches or holdups on pickup day.
DO Have Your Paperwork Ready
It’s the missing piece of the puzzle for professional sellers. To finalize the transaction, any licensed wrecker in Western Australia will require 2 things: a. Proof of Ownership (Your Vehicle’s Certificate of Registration / Title) b. Your Matching Photo I.D.
Having these papers at hand and ready to go will show us that you are a bona fide seller when you make that call to (08) 9358 1392. It enables us to close the deal with certainty and most importantly it allows us to get your payment processed swiftly without any holdups.
Part 2: The DON’Ts – What Not to Do at All Costs
As important as knowing what to do is knowing what not to. Avoiding these six common mistakes will find you saving yourself time, money and headaches.
DON’T Strip Parts Off the Car
This is the No. 1 mistake people make, and it nearly always ends up costing them money. It’s simple logic: “I’ll sell it for $30, the stereo is worth $50, and the old wheels are in excellent condition — I’ll get at least $200 out of those.” And then call the wrecker. In reality, this strategy backfires.
When we find a car with things taken off of it, we have to assume the worst. We don’t know what else is missing. Without a battery, we can’t test anything else in the car’s electronics. We need to consider the cost and time of replacing them ourselves. So when we lower our quote for a stripped car, it’s usually more than the small amount you made selling the parts one by one. You could be losing hundreds of dollars off your quote to earn an extra $50. How to sell it is to always sell it as a whole car.
DON’T Waste Money on Repairs
If you know your car has a mechanical problem — an oil leak, say, or a broken sensor — don’t waste money trying to fix it before calling us. You won’t see a return on that investment. As a one-stop used auto parts shop, we have the knowledgebase and a huge selection of parts to get things fixed far more efficiently — and economically — than an average customer can. We won’t be adding $300 to our offer for a simple fix. What its worth to us is a few of the big and raw materials, not the condition that it runs in.
Feel Free to Skip a Car Wash or Detail
We like cleanliness in a car, so don’t spend time or money washing, waxing or detailing any vehicle destined for our yard. A glossy car does not change the worth of its engine or transmission or scrap steel. Within hours of receiving your car at our facility it will be de-polluted to the highest standards and processed for recycling. Its aesthetic beauty has absolutely no correlation with its worth to us. Have a great weekend — and don’t spend it with bucket and sponge.
DON’T Forget the Catalytic Converter
This is an important piece of information, if your car still has its original catalytic converter. Because of the PM’s in them (platinum, palladium, rhodium etc) these are one of the most valuable single parts on a car for recycling. When calling for the quote, it would be ideal to include that there’s still part of the “cat”. Its existence is a big part of a good valuation, and if we can confirm it’s present, we are able to give you our best possible price.
Conclusion Smart Site Preparation for Optimal Return
Presumably there is a good reason why that car is going away, and if you can extract every possible dollar from its passing, it won’t be because you’re lucky. The strategy was basic: Offer a solid, marketable car, be fully prepared with your homework and do not invest one dime on “fixes” or cosmetic details you think should be added at the last minute.
By adhering to these straightforward Do’s and Don’ts, you position yourself to play the leading role in this process. You have a fair, honest, and profitable transaction with a professional company who appreciates your business.
Ready to give these tips a try? With more than 15 years in business, WA Auto Parts is one of Australia’s leading used parts suppliers and recyclers. Give us a call today on (08) 9358 1392 for an obligation free quote