What to do with end-oflife cars
There are a number of options when it comes to laying your old car to rest.
Regardless of your car’s age, eventually you’ll be left with the dilemma of maintaining, repairing, selling, or scrapping it. As the costs mount to maintain older cars, there has to be a point where we cut our losses and say “enough is enough”.
There’s no crystal ball to help you determine whether paying for repairs will keep your old faithful vehicle safely ticking along for a few more years, or if an unexpected, expensive repair job is just around the corner.
When your pride and joy gets too old or expensive to maintain, or you’re handed a quote for repair work that is beyond your budget, here are a few options to help set it free.
Sell ‘As Is, Where Is’
One way to get rid of your car is to see if anyone else might want it as a project, or to help fix up a vehicle they already own. Commonly, this practice is applied to the engine, transmission, driveline, or interior components.
Online platforms, noticeboards, or community groups are common places to help you sell your unwanted items. Always ensure that you are 100 per cent accurate in your description — outline the vehicle’s condition, and if you’re a private seller include the words “As Is, Where Is” as part of the description, especially if the vehicle has an expired WoF or licence.
Write up a sales receipt and outline that the buyer is in agreement of the vehicle as presented on the date of sale. Be sure to inform the NZTA that you are no longer in possession of the vehicle, either online or at a licensing centre.
Part it out
If you have the time, space, and knowledge, parting out a vehicle has the potential to gain more money, especially if the vehicle is a popular or sought-after model. It might be that there is a market for a particular part by itself when buyers don’t want the whole car.
The danger with this is that if there are only a few common items that most people want, you could be stuck with half a car on your hands that proves hard to get rid of. This is where a recycler or scrapper could come in handy.
Dismantlers, recyclers, scrappers or auctioneers
There are companies that will take your car, crush it and send it for recycling. They will strip it for parts and sell them off-the-shelf, or store them in large yards where the public can come and purchase the parts they require until the vehicle reaches a stage where it’s only good to be sent for scrap/ recycling.
The advantage of this option is that the vehicle can be collected, and all you need to do is remove the plates, cancel the licensing, show some ID to the driver and kiss your beloved car goodbye.
Ever wondered where accident-damaged cars go? Auction houses like Manheim and Turners sell these end-of-life cars via damaged or salvage auctions on behalf of major insurance companies.
If you are looking to sell your end-of-life car, Turners will even buy it prior to the auction, meaning you can get your cash up front.
Be sure to inform the NZTA that you are no longer in possession of the vehicle.