Can you sell a car that doesn't run? Your options in Queensland

Cars stop running for all sorts of reasons. A battery that went flat and never got charged. A blown head gasket. Flood water. An accident. Or it just sat in the yard for three years while life got busy. Whatever happened, a car that won't start is still a car, and it can still be sold.

Here is how it works in Queensland, and how to decide which option makes sense for you.

Your four options, according to TMR

Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads says that if a registered vehicle is unsafe or otherwise defective, you can:

1. 1Repair all the defects and then sell it as a working car.
2. 2Sell it to an auto dealer.
3. 3Sell it to an auto parts dismantler, which is what a wrecking yard is.
4. 4Sell it unregistered.

Fixing it only makes sense if the repair costs less than the difference it makes to the price, and if you have the time. For most dead cars, especially older ones, that maths does not work. That is where a wrecker comes in.

Why a wrecking yard is often the easiest choice

A wrecker is not buying your car to drive it. We are buying the parts and metal inside it, so whether it starts matters less than you might think. You do not need to get the car running or drive it anywhere. You tell us about it, we agree the details, and we come to you.

Compare that with a private sale, where buyers want to hear it start, take it for a drive and see a safety certificate if it is registered. We go through that side of things in selling privately vs selling to a wrecker.

Will I get paid for a car that does not run?

Often, yes. A running car is usually worth more because it tells the yard the engine and gearbox are likely good. But a non-running car can still have doors, panels, lights, seats, wheels and plenty of other parts that someone out there needs, plus the metal. What it is worth depends on the make, model, year and what is wrong with it. Our guide to what your scrap car is worth explains what goes into the number.

Getting a dead car off your property

A car that won't run won't drive onto a truck by itself. And if it is unregistered, TMR says moving it on the road may need an unregistered vehicle permit. That is why a car removal service brings a tow truck and does the moving for you.

To make pickup day go smoothly:

• Tell us where the car is, such as the driveway, the backyard, the street or a garage.
• Mention flat tyres, missing wheels, a locked steering wheel or no keys.
• Point out tight spots like narrow side gates, low carports or steep driveways.
• Clear anything stacked on or around the car.

Sorting out the rego

If the car is still registered in your name, you can cancel the registration with TMR using form F3517 and hand in the plates. If the rego is current, you may get a refund for the unused registration and CTP, less a cancellation fee. If the car is already unregistered, there is nothing to cancel.

We have a full step-by-step on how to cancel rego in QLD, including what to do if the plates are lost.

What to tell us when you ask for a quote

The more we know, the straighter the answer:

• Make, model and year.
• What is wrong with it, if you know. 'Won't start, clicks when I turn the key' is more useful than 'broken'.
• Whether it is registered.
• Whether it has been in an accident or has parts missing.
• Where it is and how easy it is to get to.

Pop those into our quote form or call 0451 160 233. You can also see what we offer on the car removals and cash for cars pages.