Getting rid of your unwanted old car in the UK: it is better to scrap it or to sell it?

The time has come, it's time to say goodbye to your old and outdated vehicle and make the leap to a more modern car, but at this point you're probably wondering: should I sell my old car or is it better to get rid of it in a scrapyard? Well, that's precisely what we're going to talk about in this post, the advantages, and disadvantages of both options.

Advantages of selling your old car

You will get more money

No matter how little they pay you, if you get someone who might be interested in your old car. They will certainly pay you more than the scrapyard. There are many people who only use their car rarely and an old, but working car that is capable of getting them from one place to another will meet their expectations. There are also people who have recently got their licence and a cheap car to learn will be perfect for them.

Sentimental issues

You may have grown fond of your old friend over the years and are sad to see it reduced to a pile of scrap, especially if it still works. In that case, you might consider selling it to someone you know who will look after it and you won't have a guilty conscience.

Advantages of sending it to the scrapyard

Saving time

If you need to get rid of your old car quickly, it is much quicker to scrap it than to try to sell it. It can take weeks or months to get a response from a buyer who is actually willing to pay for your car.

In addition, buyers will want to see the car, you will have to meet them to show the car even they may not buy it, etc. All of this might waste a lot of your time, which will significantly reduce the margin on the sale.

However, at the scrapyard you can get rid of the car in a matter of minutes, just fill in the forms and that's it.

Warranty

If you sell the car to someone else and after a short time something goes wrong, the buyer can demand that you pay for the repair. Although the warranty you have to offer is well defined in the UK, you still run the risk of being sued, going to court, etc. If the difference between selling the car and sending it to a scrapyard in UK is not high enough, take this into consideration and evaluate carefully whether it is worth the risk.

Either way, whether you decide to sell your old car or scrap it, the really important thing is that you do things the right way. Make sure you notify the authorities, you are not any longer the car's owner or that the vehicle has been scrapped. If you sell it, make a contract with the buyer specifying the condition of the vehicle and a disclaimer of any damage caused by use and age. This will save you trouble and put your mind at rest.