If you've driven your trusty vehicle into the ground so that it can no longer turn a wheel without running into problems, you'll be looking for a replacement. While you may not be able to trade in your rustbucket as you look for a new set of wheels, you shouldn't simply forget it and leave it out in the barn to gather dust. Although you may not realise it, you could get a reasonable price for your car if you take it to a reputable scrap merchant, as there will probably be some value within individual components. What parts are worth retrieving in this situation?
Steel
Certainly, your aged vehicle may look quite sorry for itself, with dented or chipped panels and corroded bodywork. Yet it still represents a lot of steel that can be repurposed for use in other industries. The engine may also contain a sizeable amount of iron, especially if it is quite old. This metal was used quite extensively to manufacture the block as well as other components.
Aluminium and Copper
Most cars will also feature aluminium due to its flexibility and lightweight nature. You may find this material within the engine cylinder head, for example, as well as the radiator and other parts in the engine bay. Copper may also be present within the alternator coilings and different cooling system parts.
Hidden Precious Metals
There are also precious metals hidden away within parts of an older vehicle that are very valuable in the scrap metal industry. Take the catalytic converter, for example. Older versions use platinum as a catalyst to remove toxic gases from the system. Some units even use palladium, which is even more valuable and can certainly be sold on to a willing buyer once it has been separated.
Circuit Boards
Take apart the onboard computer, and you will reveal several printed circuits. There are also circuit boards in other electronic systems like navigation systems or audio players. These boards can contain trace elements of some valuable metals like palladium and even gold, and while these are not present in huge quantities, they could nevertheless add to the inherent value of the vehicle.
Your Best Solution
Some people try to remove those individual components themselves and sell them separately, but this may not be the best approach. Talk to a local scrap vehicle merchant, and they are more likely to give you a better price for the entire car as it is. They will also be more adept at removing the parts and isolating the metals for onward sale.
If you want to sell your scrap car for cash, reach out to a junkyard near you.
