Sell My Vehicle For Salvage
A salvage vehicle is a car or van which has previously been subjected to a certain level of damage. Salvage vehicles, whether they were written off or just knocked about, will either have their broken parts replaced so they can get back on the road themselves, or will become donors to help fix other vehicles. A salvage car or van will also fall into one of four categories (A, B, S or N), depending on the level of damage that it has sustained.
How is Salvage Value Calculated?
How is Salvage Value Calculated?The value of a salvage vehicle will be based on a few different factors. Firstly, the make and model will give you an initial idea of what it could be worth. However, you need to take into account how old the vehicle is, and what condition it’s in. By considering these factors, you will be able to determine whether you could8 get more money by selling your car for salvage, or if it’s too badly damaged. Our Car Depreciation guide gives more information on the different features that could affect the price of your vehicle. Other factors to consider include the fluctuating scrap metal market (how much scrap metal is worth) and the time of year you are trying to sell.
How Does a Salvage Title Work?
Salvage vehicles fall into different categories (known as salvage titles) depending on the type of damage the vehicle has sustained. The categories are A, B, S and N. Read below what each category means:
Category A – Scrap
Category A – ScrapThe vehicle cannot be repaired. The entire vehicle has to be crushed.
Category B – Break
Category B – BreakThe vehicle cannot be repaired. The body shell has to be crushed, but you can salvage other parts from it.
Category S – Structural
Category S – StructuralThe vehicle can be repaired following structural damage.
Category N – Non-Structural
Category N – Non-StructuralThe vehicle can be repaired following non-structural damage.
Read more on the categories and what it means if your vehicle is written off.
What does a salvage car mean?
A salvage car is one that has been written-off by its insurers, but only into one of the two ‘lesser’ categories. Cars written off into categories A and B are destined only for the crusher (although some non-structural components can be salvaged from Category B cars first), whereas cars in Categories S or N may be repaired back into a roadworthy condition. These are known as salvage cars.
Can a Salvage Title be Removed?
No. If your car has been written off into either the S or N category and even if it has been restored back to full working condition, there is nothing you can do to get rid of that marker on your log book. The incident is a part of your car’s life story, and cannot be removed. This does not apply to category A or B write-offs as these have to be scrapped rather than repaired and salvaged.
Can the Salvage Value of a Vehicle be Zero?
It is very unlikely a vehicle will have no salvage value at all, but in certain cases this could happen. Typically, even if your vehicle has been severely damaged or is a non-runner, there will usually be value within the vehicle’s parts, such as the engine, catalytic converter and wheels, tyres and rims.
How is salvage value calculated
The value of a salvage car is calculated both by doing a little bit of research on car values and getting repair bill quotes from local garages. Find out how much your car would likely cost on the used car market if it was in full working condition, taking into account both age and mileage, and then deduct any quotes you have received for the cost of repairs. This is a general figure that you can put towards a salvage car, but is only an estimate and there can be some movement in either direction. Always remember that when buying a written-off car back from insurers that they will likely go in low, so there may be some negotiating to be had.
Can Salvage Vehicles be Insured?
Can Salvage Vehicles be Insured?If you have been able to repair a written-off car, providing it was in Categories S or N, and have got it back into a roadworthy condition, then it can absolutely be insured. Any car, if it is to be on the road, must be insured, and to drive without insurance is a crime that could not only see you facing a hefty fine, but also could result in a loss of your driving privileges altogether.
In most cases, it is likely to cost you more to get insurance for a car with a salvage title and you’ll probably also find that there’s only a limited amount of coverage that you’re able to find. Some insurers may pay out very little for the car itself as they’ll believe there isn’t much value left in it, while others may only offer you larger premiums citing larger safety concerns as the reason.
Can Salvage Vehicles be Financed?
To put it simply, yes. Salvage title vehicles can be financed, however it may be more challenging than financing a vehicle with no title. This is because of the risks associated with the vehicle. Even though it may have been repaired, restored and be in good working order.
Are salvage cars bad?
Or to put a positive spin on it, are salvage cars good? Unfortunately, there is no blanket answer to cover all bases. However, salvage cars offer a great opportunity to buy a car for much less money, provided you’re prepared to get your hands dirty or pay a little more in the garage to get it back to working order. Salvage cars can be an absolute bargain, but if you’ve neglected to factor in the additional work needed, or you’ve found some underlying issues that weren’t first visible, then you could find yourself buying a money pit.
Who buys a salvage car?
Salvage cars are often bought by specialists who will be able to carry out the necessary work to get them back in working order and back on the road – or strip them of their surviving parts to help another car get driving again. You do not need to go searching for these buyers, however, as that’s where we at Scrap Car Comparison come in. We work with these buyers up and down the country to ensure you’re getting the very best price in the quickest and easiest way possible.
