If you've decided that your car has reached the end of its useful life and don't want to pump any more money into repairs, you're left with one option — selling it to a junkyard. Junkyards, which will take your car apart and sell its individual parts and materials — including the copper, aluminum, and steel on the vehicle — offer hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars for vehicles that are inoperable. But, before scheduling to have your car picked up by a scrap metal team, there are a few steps you want to take.

Top Ways to Prep Your Car for the Junkyard

1. Take Out All Your Belongings

Those drivers who've had to drop their car off at a repair shop for an extended period know the drill — comb through your car thoroughly to ensure you've collected all your personal belongings including sunglasses, CD collections, electronic toll readers, and any equipment stored in your trunk. You won’t be able to get them back once you hand the vehicle over.

2. Remove Any Parts You Can Sell Independently

There are some parts of even inoperable vehicles that can still bring in a moderate amount of cash if they're in good condition. Before selling your car to a junkyard, consider stripping out its sound system and tires if they're relatively new. Working sound systems can be used as replacements in other cars, while tires with sufficient tread will always fetch some money.

3. Get Your Title Ready

You can't sell your car without the title. So, before scheduling a time for your car to be picked up and towed, have this document ready. Without it, you can't prove to buyers that the car is legally yours.

Drivers who want to scrap an old vehicle should reach out to Roadrunner Recycling in San Marcos, TX. Roadrunner Recycling pays competitively for used cars — in some cases, up to $10,000. In addition to buying used cars, the recycling center also sells refurbished vehicles at attractive prices and buys metals like aluminum, copper, iron, and stainless steel. Visit the junkyard's website to learn more, or call directly at (512) 353-4511.