Many people can’t separate junk cars from vehicles that have a salvage title. While they may seem very similar, there are key differences between the two types of vehicles. These differences affect how the car can be used and what options are available for selling it. Knowing what kind of car you have helps you decide the best choice for getting rid of it.

Salvage Vehicles

To be classified as a salvage vehicle, it must be given a salvage title. That happens when an insurance company declares the car to be a total loss, meaning it would cost more to fix it than it’s worth. An insurance company can declare the vehicle a total loss for various reasons, including extensive cosmetic damage or a complete drive train failure.

Even if it has been designated a total loss, a salvage vehicle can still be fixed to be driven on the road again. If it is repaired, potential buyers must be made aware that it has a salvage title, and it legally must pass a thorough inspection before it’s driven. That’s because the extent of the damage can make the vehicle unsafe and difficult to insure.

Many people who buy salvage cars never intend to drive them. Instead, they remove any undamaged parts of the vehicle and sell them individually. While that requires extra effort, it typically allows them to get a higher return than if they sold the car as-is.

Junk Vehicles

Whereas a salvage vehicle can be restored to functional use, junk vehicles are damaged beyond repair. They have either been destroyed in an accident or rendered obsolete because of old age and negligence.

Unlike a salvage vehicle, there is no special title or registration paper for a junk car. Another critical difference between the two is that a junk vehicle doesn’t have valuable parts that can be sold individually. That often means the only real option to get rid of a junk vehicle is by scrapping it. Scrap yards will pay you for the metal parts of the car and recycle those components for various uses.

No matter what condition your salvage or junk car is in, the experts at Phipps Auto Parts will pay you for it. As one of the premier scrap yards in Goshen, OH, this licensed recycling center specializes in buying unusable cars for a fair price. If your vehicle isn’t operational, they’ll even provide you with a helpful and convenient towing service to get it to their facility. Learn more about their services by visiting them online, or schedule a tow by calling (513) 722-2034.