Getting rid of an old car can be challenging, especially if it doesn’t run. You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who wants to buy a car that’s little more than an oversized, rusted lawn ornament. For most people with junkers that don’t run, the best solution is to sell it to a junkyard. But how do you get the car there? Here are a few options to consider.
Ask a Friend
It is possible to tow some cars that don’t run behind another passenger vehicle. A towing rope usually does the trick, so long as the brakes and steering in your junker still work correctly. You’ll need to sit in the junk car and operate the brakes and steering wheel as is necessary to get to the junkyard while your friend’s car provides the forward momentum for you. Hopefully, they won’t charge you more than gas money and a few slices of pizza.
Hire a Towing Company
Having a friend tow you is only a viable option if the junkyard isn’t too far away and you don’t have to go on the freeway. Otherwise, it’s not a very safe choice. Instead, you’ll need a professional towing company to take your beater for you. If you have to hire a tow on your own, you’ll want to shop around for the best rate, then schedule your tow at a time that works for you and gets your car to the junkyard when they’re open. It can be a bit of a hassle, and it will take a significant chunk out of the cash you get for selling the car.
Pay the Junkyard to Tow It
Many salvage yards have their tow trucks. You’ll have to talk to the yard buying your car to determine if this is the case for them. If it is, they can usually come to get it from your property for you and pay you when they pick it up, saving you a trip out to the lot. Be sure to ask how much their towing fee is, though, so you’re not surprised by the cut taken from your car’s price.
Get a Free Tow from the Yard
Better yet, find a salvage yard that can tow your car for you and won’t take a cut from your payment at all. Many junkyards nowadays include free towing for any vehicle that they buy. They’ll give you a quote over the phone for your car, then pick it up and pay you as described above. It’s fast, easy, and doesn’t cost you a single dollar out of the cash you get for your junker.
If you’re trying to sell an old car in Fort Meyers, FL, be sure to find a way to get that junker to the junkyard—preferably one that doesn’t cost you anything.