How to Buy Junk Cars

Typical junk car

Assessing the value of any junk car should take the average buyer about 20 minutes.
Key points to look for are rarity, parts value, and original equipment.

Instructions

Buying junk cars

1. Determine whether the car will run. The value of a "junker" increases if the vehicle runs. Simple issues like a dead battery or bad ignition system can prevent a car from starting, but these can be easily fixed.

2. Look for rare parts, or odd options. Most cars come with optional equipment from the factory, and these increase the value of the car later in its life. Older models with factory air conditioning, for example, are worth more than those without. Factory radios, rear vent windows, automatic transmission, and even additional chrome parts can make a junk car more valuable. Odd factory wheels can also command a premium price.

3. Check for intact running gear, with matching numbers. Engines and transmissions come with serial numbers matched to the car, and if these are in place and have not been radically altered, the car could be worth more. Rare models with original engines can bring more on the junk market than those with replaced engines, or no engine at all.

4. Check the body and frame for rust. Floor boards and frame are prone to rust more quickly than other areas because of road salting or other corrosive exposure, and can be difficult to replace. A junk car with intact floor boards is worth more than one with lots of rust. A rusted frame could spell disaster if the vehicle is driven without restoration.

5. Check the wiring system for split or missing wires. Many junk cars left in fields or barns for years might have attracted rodents, which love to chew on wiring and build nests in sensitive areas of the vehicle. Wiring harnesses can be expensive and difficult to repair, and could cause a fire if damaged.

6. Determine the condition and value of the parts, not the whole car. Sometimes the restoration market will pay a premium for original parts, and the individual parts could be far more valuable than the entire vehicle. Old chrome bumpers without dents or rust, or intact window glass, can be a valuable find on a junk car.

Tips & Warnings

• Check junkyards often, as they crush much of their inventory on a weekly basis.

• Do not drive a junk vehicle without inspecting it first.