A car is a major purchase that can either make or break your budget. When you buy a new car, it will be one of the most expensive purchases you ever make.
It’s not unusual to have an old car parked in the driveway or garage that you no longer use. Maybe it doesn’t run, or maybe it just takes up too much space.
So what should you do with it? Sell it! Even if it’s been sitting unused for years, it is valuable to get some cash for your car.
If you need money and have an older model sitting in the garage, then selling your old vehicle might seem like the logical next step.
A lot of people get caught up in the moment and make decisions without thinking long term, so it’s important to consider your options before deciding what to do with a car that’s been sitting for years.
Selling a car that has been in your garage for a long time can be a difficult decision.
You may be eager to get rid of it and free up some space. But on the other hand, you may worry about how much money you could get for it.
What happens to a car if you let it sit too long?
If you let a car sit for too long, the battery will die, the fluids will dry up, and the seals will crack.
The car will become increasingly difficult to start, and eventually, it will become impossible to start at all.
In some cases, the structural integrity of the car can be compromised, which can lead to dangerous accidents.
So if you’re thinking of selling your car, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
On one hand, you’ll get a decent sum of money for a car that’s been sitting in the garage for years. Then, that money could be better spent on a newer model.
Anyway, we explain what can happen to the parts of your car when you don’t use it for a long time:
-
Flat tires:
Having flat tires could be the most obvious sign that an automobile has been parked for an extended period.
Tires flatten since, despite technical developments throughout the years, these car parts are not eternal.
Unmaintained tires can progressively: lose air monthly, develop flat spots that can permanently harm the riding quality of the tires, and erode because they are constantly subjected to the environment, even when stored in a garage.
-
A drained battery:
Tires that are substantially under-inflated or flat can be easily identified. However, you’ll need to do a little more testing to see if your car’s battery still functions after a lengthy period of inactivity.
To charge the battery, the car must be driven regularly.
While the battery is meant to keep its charge for some time, it needs assistance from the car’s alternator to remain charged and ready.
The battery will gradually lose charge if the alternator is not working.
-
Poor and leaking fluids.
In addition to tires and batteries, prolonged rest can affect your vehicle’s fluids, which include anything from fuel and engine oil to power steering, brake, and gearbox fluid.
Over time, moisture can accumulate in the gas tank. If enough of it accumulates, it may interfere with the efficiency of the fuel and possibly begin to corrode the gas tank from the inside.
Furthermore, the molecular composition of other fluids can degrade with time, and your vehicle’s hoses and gaskets might dry out, weaken, or fail, allowing fluids to seep out.
-
Unwelcome intruders
Unwanted visitors such as rodents, rats, mice, squirrels, and other pests can make themselves at home in a parked automobile.
They may be found climbing into the engine compartment and nibbling on electrical harnesses or building nests in the engine bay.
In addition, keep an eye out for ants in the cabin, which may be drawn to long-forgotten snack chips, sweet candies, and other food items leftover from your previous road trip.
So, if you’re not going to be using your automobile for a long length of time, empty all of its fluids before you depart. If you’re unsure how to proceed, see a specialist.
How long can a car sit without breaking down?
The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors, including the age and make of the car, how often it’s been driven, and the quality of the maintenance.
With some contributing elements, a parked car starts to develop problems after a few weeks if it continues to go without maintenance.
We always recommend that you do not go more than two weeks without driving your car if you anticipate restarting it.
Don’t let your car sit idle for more than two weeks; at the very least, run it for a few minutes.
You’ll end up saving time and money on repairs, and your car will be ready to go when you need it again.
Will a car start after sitting for a year?
It’s not uncommon for a car to sit unused for long periods.
However, after a lengthy period of inactivity, a battery will lose its charge, leaving you with no juice to run the vehicle.
Begin here if you want to try to revive: replace the fluids in the automobile, including the oil, coolant, and transmission fluids.
What should you consider when a car has been sitting for years?
When it comes to cars, one of the most important things is making sure that it is regularly maintained.
This means that you should not let a car sit for too long, as it could lead to several problems.
For example, if a car sits for more than six months, the fluids will start to dry up.
And if a car sits for more than six months, the fluids will start to dry up.
In general, it is best not to let a car sit for more than six months. This is because the longer a car sits, the more likely it is that something will go wrong.
If you’ve let your car sit for an extended period, there’s no guarantee that it will start up when you try to drive it.
There’s a good chance that the engine will be seized, the tires will be flat, or the battery will be dead.
Before you decide to sell your car, you should consider the following factors:
-How much money will you get for the car?
-How much will it cost to fix the car up?
-How often has the car been driven in the last year?
-What is the condition of the car?
How do you determine if your car is worth repairing if it’s been sitting for years?
If your car has been sitting for years, it may not be worth fixing up.
The longer a car sits unused, the more damage it will suffer, and it may be more expensive to bring it up to current safety and emissions standards.
However, if the car is in good condition and only needs a few repairs, it may be worth it.
If you’re continuously investing more money into repairs and upkeep to keep your automobile in good condition, it’s time to figure out if it’s costing you more to keep the car running than it’s worth.
Here’s a 5-step procedure for determining this:
-
1st step: Figure out how much your automobile is worth.
Do you want to know how you may make an educated decision on whether or not to fix your car? The solution starts with this initial step.
You must determine the value of your vehicle. Going online to Kelly Blue Book Value and/or Edmunds True Market Value is the most common and convenient way to accomplish this.
These are websites where you can fill out online forms with information about your vehicle (year, make, model, mileage, and condition) and then see what comparable vehicles are selling for in your region.
You’ll receive an idea of how much your automobile is worth in a range of selling circumstances, including how much you can anticipate earning for it.
-
2nd step: Determine the expense of keeping it on the road.
Request that your regular technician provides you with a detailed breakdown of three types of impending costs:
1) Any major repairs that must be completed immediately to keep thhe car on the road.
2) Other significant repairs that will be required over the next year but do not need to be completed immediately.
3) Major maintenance (not just oil changes) that will be required over the next year based on vehicle mileage and such things as replacement of major fluids, brakes, tires, timing belt, water pump, etc.
Postponing regular maintenance increases the likelihood of a breakdown.ç
-
3rd step: Perform a first cost-benefit analysis.
Add up everything you discovered in the 2nd step and compare it to the value you discovered in the 1st step.
If the cost exceeds the value, you would be better off using the money you would spend to keep this car on the road to buy a newer vehicle.
If this preliminary comparison shows that the costs are less than the values, move on to the next steps in this procedure.
-
4th step: Review past repair bills and calculate expenses.
Your first comparison favored maintaining the car on the road, but now you want to be more explicit about the additional expenses of driving the vehicle.
Mechanics cannot predict future repairs with absolute certainty. Remember that the older the car, the more likely it is that items will wear out or break.
-
5th: Make a decision.
Finally, if the statistics are too close to be obvious, spend some time getting a sense of how your car feels and performs.
Be honest with yourself.
If you get the impression that you’re driving a car that’s about to break down at any moment, believe your intuition, start looking for a junkyard to sell your car, and get cash for it.
Why should you sell a car that has been sitting for years?
If you have a car that has been sitting for years, it’s probably time to sell it.
Cars that sit for long periods can experience a lot of wear and tear, and they may not run well when you try to start them up again.
In most cases, it’s better to sell a car that has been sitting than to try to drive it again.
Even if a car has been sitting unused for years, it is valuable to sell.
The longer a car sits unused, the more damage it will suffer, so selling it sooner rather than later is always recommended.
It is important to ask yourself why you want to sell the car before making a decision.
For example, if your car has been sitting for years because you have financial problems or if you need some money, it may be a good decision.
Also, if the car is no longer in working condition, it’s not going to do you much good sitting in the garage.
Secondly, if you’re looking for a newer model, selling your old car can help you afford to buy a new one.
If you feel like you’re continually putting more money into repairs and upkeep to keep your car running, it’s time to find out for sure if it’s costing you more to keep the car on the road than it’s worth.
Whether you are traveling alone or with a family, one of your first considerations with any vehicle should be safety. And this is something that has steadily improved over time.
Depending on how old your car is, you may be missing out on the latest improved safety features such as advanced airbags, rearview cameras, side airbags, electronic stability control, better brakes and handling, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alerts, automatic parking, lane departure warning systems, and more.
When you have had a car in the garage for a long time, there is a lot at stake, you must keep in mind older vehicles cannot compete with the latest safety measures.
Old cars that sit in one place pose a health and safety risk. They might cause harmful substances to leak into the earth and eventually end up in the water supply.
If your old vehicle is parked in your yard or plain sight in your driveway, it is most certainly depreciating the value of your home.
Removing an automobile from your yard improves the appearance of your grass and prevents weeds and animals from nesting in and around the vehicle.
How to sell your car that has been sitting for years to a junkyard?
If you have an older car that’s been sitting in the garage for years, you may be wondering what to do with it.
If you’re looking to sell a car that has been sitting for years, a junkyard may be your best option.
Junkyards are interested in buying cars that are in poor condition, and they will often offer a higher price than you would get from a private buyer.
So how do you sell your car at Junk Cars Los Angeles?
1. Contact them by phone.
Call us at 323-205-7761. When we receive your call, someone in the junkyard will answer it. There will be no need for a remote operator or a contact center.
You will have direct contact with us and thus we will answer all your doubts, and questions and we will give you the information you need.
2. Car details and a quote
A member of our staff will ask you a few questions about your automobile or truck to offer you an accurate price for it.
Through the information and description of your car, we will be able to give you the highest price for it
3. Payment and pick-up.
We can schedule your car’s pick-up when we provide you with an estimate.
Please let us know what time works best for you; we don’t want to be inconvenient or invasive because we value and respect your time.
Our junk vehicle buyers follow a straightforward method that will enable you to sell your car quickly and easily.
Furthermore, you will get paid when we pick up your automobile; no more missing cheques in the mail, and no need to carry your car to the purchasers!
4. Completing the papers
When our tow truck arrives at your location, our pleasant personnel will have some papers to fill out.
This is a short process; the forms are clear and uncomplicated, and you will receive all of the assistance you want.
After the procedure is completed, you will be given a salvage bill of sale.
In conclusion, if your automobile has been sitting for several years, it’s probably time to sell it.
Cars that have been sitting for a long time can suffer from a lot of wear and tear, and they may not run properly when you try to start them up again.
If you’re not using your car, it may be worth considering fixing it up and selling it. This can be a tricky decision, as it may be difficult to know how much money you could get for it.
Therefore, Junk Cars Los Angeles will provide you with all the support you need to get rid of that car that occupied your garage for a long time and is now a nuisance.
By selling it to us, you’ll not only get free cash and towing, but you’ll also be able to free up your garage and avoid a lot of hassle.
Contact us as soon as possible!
