Things You Should Do Before Selling Your Old Vehicle

In today’s world, motor vehicles have become an essential part of our life. From daily commutes to long-distance travel, vehicles have made our lives easier in many ways.

So, what happens when your car or truck starts giving you trouble and needs expensive repairs? One option is to sell it to a car wrecker.

Here Are Some Things You Should Do Before Selling Your Old Vehicle:

1. Remove All Your Personal Belongings

Before selling your old vehicle to a car buyer like car wreckers Hamilton, the first thing you need to do is remove all your items from the old vehicle. This includes clothes, documents, electronic devices, and other personal items.

Car wreckers will not be responsible for any lost or damaged belongings, so make sure everything is taken out of the car before handing it over.

If you have any valuable items in the car, such as a global positioning system (GPS) or an expensive after-market stereo system, you might want to consider selling them separately. This will ensure you get the most money for them before they get damaged in the wrecking process.

Remember, wrecking companies are in the business of breaking cars down into their component parts, so any possessions left in the car will be lost or damaged.

2. Disable The Car Alarm

Now that you won’t be using the car anymore, you’ll need to disable the car alarm. This simple process can be done in just a few steps.

First, find the alarm’s disarm switch and press it down. Once it’s been disabled, make sure to keep the key fob on you, so you can reactivate the alarm if needed.

Another thing to remember is that disabling the alarm will also deactivate the immobilizer. So, if your car has one of those, make sure to take off any ignition kill switches before handing over the vehicle to car wreckers.

3. Disable The Car Tracking System

Before calling the car wrecker, you’ll need to disable the car tracking system. If you’re not sure where the fuse box is located, consult the car owner’s manual.

Once you’ve found the fuse box, locate the fuse for the car tracking system and remove it. This will disable the system and allow you to proceed with selling your old vehicle.

If you don’t have the owner’s manual, most cars have a sticker on the driver-side door that tells you how to disable the tracking system. Once you have disabled the system, call the car wreckers and schedule a time for them to pick up your vehicle.

4. Remove The License Plates

Whether your old car had regular license plates or customized number plates, car wreckers won’t be interested in buying it with the plates still attached.

Take them off and dispose of them according to state regulations. As for the customized number plates, keep them safe as you might need them for your new car.

Car wreckers usually remind the seller to take off the plates to avoid legal problems.

5. Notify Your State’s Department Of Motor Vehicles

When selling your car to wreckers, you must fill out and submit a notice of sale to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This document declares that the car has been sold.

The process is usually quite straightforward and can be completed online or in person. However, there may be a small fee associated with the process.

Once everything is processed and approved, you’ll receive new documentation from the DMV. Keep these in a safe place, as they’ll prove that you’ve sold your car to wreckers. You’re now clear of any responsibility or liability related to your old vehicle.

6. Notify Your Insurance Company

In addition, you must also notify your insurance company about the sale, so they can update their records. If you’re not sure how to notify your insurance company, contact them directly and ask for assistance.

7. Contact Your Lender

If you have a car title loan, you must contact the lender and let them know you’re selling the car. The lender may have specific instructions on how to proceed with the sale.

If there’s a lien on the car, you may need to pay off the lien before selling it. Be sure to have proof of ownership and lien release paperwork ready when you sell the car to wreckers.

Final Word

When giving your car to a car wrecker, it’s essential to take some time beforehand to prepare. By following the tips shared above, you can make the process run as smoothly as possible.

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