What Can Raise a Junk Car Offer

Condition and parts demand are two of the five things we look at, and a whole car scores better on both than one with pieces gone. So before you call, leave these where they are:

• Engine and transmission, even if they do not work
• Catalytic converter. Our guide to how the converter affects an offer explains why, and what the law says if you cut one off
• Wheels and tires, even flat ones
• Battery and radiator
• Doors, hood, trunk lid and glass

If parts you already took off are sitting in the garage, mention them and ask whether they can make the trip with the car.

A buyer on the phone knows only what you say. It is easy to list the problems and forget the good news. If any of these are true, say so:

• A newer engine, transmission or set of tires, especially if you have the receipt
• A body that is straight and clean, even though the car does not run
• It starts or runs, even badly
• A trim level or engine option that people look for
• Everything is there: nothing has been pulled

These facts bear on condition and parts demand. There is no promise that any one of them changes the number, but a buyer can’t count something it was never told about. Photos help here too; see what photos to send.

Easy access is not one of our five factors, so we won’t tell you it adds to the number. It does matter to the job, though, because a truck that can load the car on the first try makes for a smoother pickup. You can help without spending anything:

• Give the exact pickup address and any gate code, assigned stall or parking level.
• Clear boxes, bikes and other cars out of the path.
• Say whether the wheels roll, and whether the car is in park with the keys around.
• If it is a tight spot, measure it. Our guide to getting a car out of a tight spot explains what to measure.

If you are not sure whether something affects the number, ask the buyer directly. That goes for us, too.

Paperwork does not make the car more valuable, but without it a sale can stall. DOL says an Affidavit in Lieu of Title can stand in for a lost title at sale. We need one of these: Title, Affidavit in Lieu of Title, or Junk Vehicle Affidavit. Our paperwork guide explains them. If there is no title but the car is registered in your name in Washington, call us and we will try to help. See our no-title page for more.

The thing that raises a car’s value the most may be selling it as something other than junk. If it runs and is safe, a private sale may fit better. See junk, sell or donate. If junking is right, send us the details on our form or call (206) 941-0612 and we will give you a number. Our cash for cars page covers how it works.