Is your car too old for an auction?

The time has come to say goodbye to the old car, but do you bite the bullet and have it scrapped or do you spend time trying to sell it on to somebody else? Sometimes, our hearts can take control in these situations, but that can lead to a waste of your time, energy and (in the worst case) a loss of money. Here are some tips on what to do with your old motor:

· Car more than ten years old? – Probably a SCRAP

· Vehicle has 6 months MOT? – Possibly an AUCTION

· Extensive bodywork damage? – Probably a SCRAP

· Own a classic car? – High likelihood of an AUCTION

· Extremely low mileage? – Possibly an AUCTION

· Undesirable model – There are certain cars that simply do not perform well at auction, no matter how pristine they are. They include Rovers, Peugeots and Renaults.

· Mechanical fault – In some cases, the cost of repair (e.g. for an exhaust) can outweigh the car’s value at an auction, leading to it being scrapped.

The above points can be used to make your decision – but it can also come down to experience. Go to someone in the scrap or auction industry (preferably someone who deals in both) and ask their opinion. An organisation like Giveacar, who scrap and sell cars on behalf of the public with the profits going to a charity of your choice, have scrapped or sold over 5,000 vehicles since January 2010. That’s a lot of case studies. If you do decide to go it alone on the auction side of things, or decide to scrap your car for cash, then you might like to give them a call – they are happy to dish out free advice on what the best course of action may be for your old vehicle.

You might even come around to the idea of just donating your car. A little odd maybe, but (particularly if you don’t think your car will raise a lot of money) the stress free process may just outweigh your desire for a small amount of cash. The Giveacar team will talk you through the donation process from start to finish, including discussing with you what is the best outcome for your car. They only send a car to auction with your permission and at the same time, don’t assume that they would just scrap your car if it looks a bit tatty! Every now and then, they come across a hidden beauty that raises much more than a scrap donation would have.

It really comes down to your expectations. If you are not happy with what the experts are telling you, take a few days, look around, find the best price and then make your decision. These old machines can form an important part of our lives. You could be very attached to your old car, van, jeep, motorbike or scooter so deciding what to do with it at the end of its life should be based on a well informed decision, not a desire for quick cash.

Whether your car is due to be auctioned or scrapped an other option is car donation, see the Give A Car website for further details about the charities they support and to read their charity blog.