Is there anything specific I need to know when taking a vehicle to a salvage yard?

Question

Does anyone have any tips in general about things I would need to be aware of when taking a vehicle to a salvage yard?

Do I need to give them my title?

Do I need to register my vehicle as salvage?

What price can I generally expect when selling a 4-door Sedan to a salvage yard?

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Answer 1

You need to bring them the title. As far as values go, it depends on the year/make/model and condition of the car. Junk is high right now, salvage tards in Wisconsin are paying between $400 - $450 for junk cars

Answer 2

Taking a vehicle to the salvage yard is the last ditch effort to sell the vehicle.  Don't expect more than a few hundred dollars.  It all depends upon the condition of the vehicle and it's popularity for parts.  For example a high production vehicle like a Camry or Accord will bring more than something like a discontinued vehicle of the same vintage.  A vehicle that has a heavy hit is worth less than a vehicle that just needs a mechanical repair...something like a new rear differential.

They will want your title so they can sell the vehicle as a unit if someone wants it.  Finally, state laws vary, but taking a vehicle to a salvage yard is different from a vehicle being a "salvage" title.  So, don't worry about that.  A salvage branding on a title usually implies an accident where the damage was at least 75% of the vehicle's pre-wreck value,  Hope this helps.