If your car is a Category A Insurance Write Off then you will need to scrap the car. You have a number of options:
- Pay a scrap merchant to come and collect the car and take it away.
- Sell the car to a scrap merchant.
- Strip the salvageable parts down yourself and sell as separate items.
- Sell the car as a wreck.
Paying a Scrap Merchant to Collect Your Car.
This may be your only option if the scrap car is only suitable for crushing and smelting to recover the metal. It is rare that there are no salvageable parts so don’t assume that your car has been completely destroyed even if it looks like a complete wreck. However, recent legislation requires written off cars to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner so don’t think you can just dump the wreck somewhere. Scrap merchants are carefully regulated so you can be sure your car is scrapped properly if you do decide to pay for your car to be taken away, scrapped and the metal recycled.
Selling Your Car to a Scrap Merchant.
This is always the preferable option so make sure you shop around to see if your scrap car is worth something. If the engine and parts are in reasonable shape they can have value as spare parts. Reputable online car dealers will give you a fair price for a damaged or written off car so don’t forget to try a number of different dealers.
Stripping Salvageable Parts from Your Car.
If you have a mechanical background or some technical knowledge, you could try stripping the car of working parts and selling them online or through a car ads magazine. This is a particularly good option if your car is rare or the parts are difficult to get hold of. If you have a very common car it is unlikely to be worth the effort.
Selling the Car as a Wreck.
There is always the option of selling the wreck ‘as seen’ through an online classified ad or through your local paper. This can be worthwhile if the car is repairable but legally not allowed to be driven on the roads. Stock car racers, farmers and race track enthusiasts are always on the look out for cars that can be made to work but are not legal on the road.
