Selling your car after an accident may be a hard task, especially if there is damage or if it is not operational at all. Car Cashiers gives advice to vehicle owners in Perth on how they can sell their damaged or unwanted vehicles. Before making any agreement, you should ensure that the car’s condition, documentation, and insurance details are verified.
Can You Sell a Car That Has Been in an Accident?
Yes, there are still ways for you to sell your accident damaged car, despite the car’s extensive damage or lack of operability. The price that will be given for it will depend on various things such as the make, model, year, condition, mileage, and demand of the parts of the car.
It is not necessarily needed for you to have the car repaired before you sell it. There will be cases where repairing the car would cost you more than its increase in value.
Start by Checking the Damage
Before deciding how to sell the vehicle, look at the extent of the damage. Accident damage can affect different parts of a car, including the body, engine, suspension, wheels, electrical systems and interior.
Check whether:
- The engine still starts
- The vehicle can be driven safely
- Airbags have deployed
- There is damage to the wheels or suspension
- Fluids are leaking
- Doors, bonnet or boot can still open
- Warning lights are showing on the dashboard
If the vehicle cannot be driven safely, do not take unnecessary risks by driving it to a buyer. Ask about collection or towing options instead.
Call Car Cashiers on 0499 904 865 to discuss your accident-damaged car.
Should You Repair the Car Before Selling?
Repair of a car that has been damaged in an accident does not necessarily offer the most economical solution. Small repairs may prove worthwhile, but larger mechanical and structural repairs can be quite costly.
Think about both the repair price as well as the age, mileage, and condition of the car prior to the accident. It will also help to take into account how much the car will be worth after the repair.
Obtaining an estimate for repairs can provide you with some guidance. Repair costs that are high make it more reasonable to sell the car as is.
Check the Vehicle’s Insurance and Write-Off Status
If the accident resulted in a claim under an insurance policy, then determine what decision has been taken regarding the car. The car could be considered damaged and yet not written off, whereas other more heavily damaged cars could be written off.
The insurance documents will have valuable information related to the claim and the status of the car.
If your car has been declared as a written off vehicle, make sure you know the relevant requirements for the Western Australian State before proceeding with any transfer. There are special conditions that apply to written-off vehicles, and hence one should be careful when assuming that all damaged cars are alike.
What Affects the Value of an Accident-Damaged Car?
There is no single price for an accident-damaged vehicle. Several factors can influence its value.
These can include:
- Make and model
- Vehicle age
- Current mileage
- Extent of accident damage
- Mechanical condition
- Availability and value of usable parts
- Registration and paperwork
- Whether the vehicle starts and runs
- Overall demand for the vehicle
A newer vehicle with moderate damage may have a different value from an older vehicle with similar-looking damage. The condition of individual components can also affect the assessment.
Gather Your Vehicle Details Before Selling
Having access to this important information can make the selling process much simpler. It will be useful for you to know the make, model, year, registration number and mileage of your car.
In addition, it will be helpful for you to inform about the situation that led to the accident, as well as to provide some pictures or repair estimations for the damaged part of your car.
This will assist the potential buyer in understanding what kind of car they are buying.
Want to sell your damaged vehicle? Call 0499 904 865 to discuss your options.
Selling a Car That No Longer Runs
A damaged car will not necessarily have no value since an accident may make the car non-starting and even non-roadworthy.
Non-running cars could still have some parts that could be valuable due to the state of the engine, transmission, body, wheels, among other car parts.
In case your car is undriveable, you should inquire about vehicle towing service and not try moving the car by yourself.
How to Choose the Right Selling Option
There are many alternatives in the disposal of the accident damaged car. You could sell the vehicle through private sales; however, this requires marketing of the car, inquiries and even inspection.
In case the car is heavily damaged, not wanted or cannot run anymore, then it is advisable to use the services of the specialized vehicle buyer. However, it is important to understand what is covered in the offer, how the delivery is going to be made and what documentation is involved.
Be honest and do not hide accident damage on the vehicle.
Selling an Accident-Damaged Car in Perth
Collection may be a significant step for the sale of your damaged car in Perth. If your vehicle is unable to operate due to an accident or other reasons, it would be convenient for you to have it collected from your place instead of arranging for its transportation.
Factors such as local conditions, access to the vehicle, and its state may affect the method of collecting the vehicle. Accurate information about the location of your car and if it can be moved may facilitate the process.
What Should You Do Before Handing Over the Car?
Before the completion of the transaction, ensure that all personal effects are cleared from the car and all relevant papers and documentation that you may require is gathered.
Ensure that all the details pertaining to the sale, including payments, are agreed upon, as well as the procedure for collecting the car, in accordance with the rules of Western Australia.
A little time spent ensuring all is in order could save you a lot of trouble down the line.