What Does a Junk Car Appraiser Look For?

Posted on May 13, 2020 by junkcars17

When you have a junk car to sell, your top priority is probably to make the most money you can. However, you can’t achieve your goal of retaining a decent profit unless you first choose the right junk car buyer. There are literally hundreds of so-called “junk car buyers” in your area, but not all are true, industry professionals. Many are con artists, scammers, and what you would call a “fly-by-the-night” business. Instead, look for a trusted Cash for Cars company that can offer the best payout for your junk vehicle. A reputable junk car buyer uses a systematic, concentrated approach to appraise scrap vehicles and estimate a fair offer.

Continue below to learn what a junk car appraiser looks for when building their estimates.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers — Sell Us Your Junk Car! 317-608-2188

Junk car buying companies accept all scrap vehicles and motorized equipment, regardless of age, make, model, or condition. However, these same factors will influence the overall value of a scrap vehicle. When you schedule your junk car appraisal, the appraiser will arrive and look for several factors to determine the overall scrap value of your vehicle, but the top 4 include:

❶ Vehicle Location – The location of your junk car has a small, yet nominal impact on the overall appraised value. This impact is not the same across the board, and instead, varies from company to company. To reduce this impact, choose a junk car buyer that offers free towing and haul-away, so that you will not have to pay out-of-pocket to have your junk car removed.

❷ Vehicle Condition – The condition of a scrap vehicle is important to the overall scrap value since more operational parts and cars are worth more than non-operational ones. Cars that still run are worth more than cars that do not, and so on. If the car does not run, it will likely be sold for its parts, all of which can affect the overall appraisal.

❸ Current Scrap Metal Prices – The current prices for scrap metal in the United States and global economy have the most impact on how much your junk car will be appraised for. The average car is made of approximately 55% steel, 300 lbs. of aluminum, and weighs around 2.5 tons. You simply need to look at the market and do the math.

❹ Make and Model – The make and age of a junk vehicle also have a major impact on its appraisal value. Some cars are more in demand in the scrap industry than others. For instance, older or rarer cars whose parts are not manufactured anymore are higher in demand than current make and model vehicles.

Where to Sell a Junk Car for the Highest Price in Indiana

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis. Our Indiana junk car buyers offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you cash. No title? No problem! Give us a call anyway! Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, today.

5 Possible Causes for an Overheating Car Engine

Posted on April 24, 2020 by junkcars17

When your check engine light illuminates, it is often the first sign of car trouble. There are various reasons why your car’s check engine light could come on, from a loose gas cap or faulty chip, to a blown head gasket or something much worse. But when it comes to your engine overheating, there are 5 probable causes behind the problem; and the signs are not hard to see.

Continue reading to learn how to identify an overheating car engine, and the top 5 reasons why it happens.

Is Your Car Engine Overheating?

One of the first signs of an overheating car engine is usually seeing the temperature gauge nearing or exceeding the maximum internal engine temperature level illustrated on the dial. Yet, most people just see smoke coming from the hood! You might also smell burning oil or fuel, which is another sign of your car engine overheating.

5 Causes for Overheated Engines:

⚙ Radiator Issues

There are two common radiator defects that can lead to a car engine overheating. First, you could have a bad radiator fan. This fan blows air over the radiator fins in order to help control the temperature of the coolant. If it comes loose, has broken shrouds, or spins freely when the engine is off, it cannot perform its intended duties, causing the coolant temperature to raise and overheat the engine. But if the fan is not the problem, it could just be a faulty radiator. Leaks, clogs, and broken lines can cause a radiator to malfunction, and subsequently cause a car engine to overheat.

⚙ Cooling System Issues

A vehicle’s cooling system lines can get blocked or clogged with rust, dirt, or sediment. This inhibits the cooling system from being able to do its job, thus causing the engine overheat. This is why regular fluid flushed and replacements are imperative. Another common cause of an overheating car engine in terms of a vehicle’s cooling system are leaks. Leaks in the cooling system are a frequent cause for overheating car engines. Also, if you use the wrong concentration of coolant, it can have the same affect. Be sure to get an even water-to-coolant ratio.

⚙ Thermostat Issues

A bad thermostat is another common reason for overheated car engines. It is a heat-sensitive valve that opens and shuts in accordance to engine temperature. If something goes wrong and the thermostat gets stuck in the closed position, the car engine’s temperature will skyrocket.

⚙ Water Pump Issues

The water pump is colloquially known as the “heart” of the vehicle since it pumps coolant much like a heart pumps blood. But a vehicle’s water pump pressurizes and propels coolant through the cooling system, so it plays a major role in a car’s temperature control. If something goes wrong, the coolant can’t make it to the engine, and the engine gets too hot.

⚙ Belt and Hose Issues

Broken and loose belts, as well as, worn or burst hoses, are common causes for overheating car engines. Belts turn the water pump, which is essential for the cooling system and more. If they stop working, so does the cooling system. A faulty hose means leaks, which means a lack of coolant. This also causes a car to overheat.

Is Your Car Now a Total Loss? Sell Your Junk Car for Cash TODAY!

Your Trusted Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers

Will Auto Insurance Cover Engine Fires?

Posted on April 7, 2020 by junkcars17

Car engines can catch fire for many reasons. From arson to accidents, the list of possible causes might be broad, but will always bring you back to the question of insurance coverage. Is an engine fire accident covered or not? Continue reading to learn what you need to know about car insurance engine fire claims, and your options for recovering a payment for your junk vehicle.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Unless you have comprehensive insurance coverage for your vehicle, it WILL NOT be covered under policy in the case of an engine fire. You see, collision coverage will cover car wrecks, while comprehensive insurance policies cover all types of damage that can happen to a vehicle aside from a collision, such as vandalism, fallen tree, flooding, theft, and of course, engine fires.

In some states, comprehensive insurance coverage is mandatory for all vehicle owners, but most states keep it optional. However, if you are financing your vehicle, it is likely that your lender will require comprehensive coverage, even in you live in a state that does not legally enforce such insurance. This is especially true if the vehicle is being used as collateral for a loan.

Engines Fires

Engine fires can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, engine fires are intentionally started for the purpose of vandalism, which is referred to as arson. Other times, car engines catch fire as a result of serious collisions, improper fuel storage, and faulty or defective automotive mechanics. Most auto insurance does not coverage mechanical malfunctions, but engine fires are typically an exception under such policies.

If an engine catches fire in your garage, even if the cause was accidental or a result of a system failure in the house, it will not be covered under homeowners’ insurance, but would be covered under comprehensive. Similarly, if your car is vandalized and set on fire, it will not be covered under your homeowners’ nor your automotive insurance (unless you have comprehensive).

Total Loss Vehicles

Virtually all engine fires cause a vehicle to be a total loss, which means the cost to repair it back to its original, pre-accident condition is higher than the current market value. When this happens, and you do not have comprehensive insurance coverage, you might be feeling like you are out of luck. Although you cannot receive an Actual Cash Value insurance settlement to buy a new car, you can sell it to a local junk car buyer. A Cash for Cars Company will pay you on the spot for your vehicle, regardless of its condition. This profit can be handy, as it can be applied toward a new car or car payment.

How Sell a Junk Car in Indiana

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis, Indiana. We make the car selling process as easy as possible by offering FREE towing with our in-house tow truck! So all you have to do is call and accept our offer. We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you CASH ON THE SPOT! We accept all vehicles and motorized commodities, regardless of age or condition. Request a free estimate, today!

The Good News After Totaling an Old Car

Posted on March 26, 2020 by junkcars17

Have you just totaled your car, and since it was so old, the insurance check is nowhere near enough to cover the cost of a new one? If so, you are probably panicking right now, nervously wondering how you are going to get to work tomorrow, and afford a new car after that. Well, don’t. There is actually some good news for you! You can still make a decent return on your junk car by selling it to a local junk car buyer, rather than cashing in your paltry insurance offer.

Continue reading to learn how to get started and who will pay you the most cash on the spot for your totaled vehicle.

Junk Car Buyers Accept All Vehicles

You can sell your totaled car to any local junk car buying company. In fact, a Cash for Cars Company will accept any type of motorized commodity, regardless of the age, make, model, or condition. They buy cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, construction equipment, tractors, and anything else that was designed to run on fuel.

How to Get Started

Your first step to selling a totaled car to a Cash for Cars Company is to inform your insurance carrier. From there, all you have to do to get started is find a reputable junk car buyer who can actually afford to pay you the full and fair amount for your vehicle. Because there are literally hundreds of options right in your very own city, finding a truly professional and honest company can be challenging.

Look for a junk car buying company that provides free estimates, free towing and pickup, and cash on the spot. Furthermore, be sure they have been in business for several years, are polite, and have good customer reviews. You will know you have found a good Cash for Cars Company to do business with if they have all of these attributes, plus show you courtesy and respect.

Once you choose a junk car buyer, all you have to do is make the call, get a quote, and accept their offer. From there, the Cash for Cars Company should pick up your vehicle, have you sign over the title, and then pay you cash on the spot! Just be sure you remember to remove all your personal belongings and license plate before they arrive!

Who to Trust for the Best Junk Car Deal in Indiana

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a totaled car in Indianapolis, today! We accept all make and model vehicles, regardless of age or condition! There is never a middleman, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. Furthermore, we will dispose of your vehicle according to all Indiana EPA regulations. You can rest assured that your car will not have a negative impact on our environment. We also offer free towing haul away!

Why Junk Car Sales Makes Environmental Sense

Posted on February 26, 2020 by junkcars17

Are you on the fence when it comes to getting rid of that junk car of yours? If so, perhaps learning why junk car sales is so impactful on the quality of our local economies and environment, will push you in the right direction. In fact, selling a junk car is as easy as making a single phone call, so long as you choose the right junk car company to do business with.

Continue reading to why junk car sales makes such environmental sense, and how you can sell your junk car in as little as one day!

Junk Cars and the Economy

Junk cars can be sold for the metal inside them, which is 100% recyclable, and can be repurposes almost indefinitely. This makes junk car sales a lucrative industry for both buyers and sellers. Furthermore, the sales of junk cars also stimulate the economy in many ways, like circulating locally-earned money and providing jobs. An estimated 14 million tons of steel are scrapped from cars, annually [Source: ISRI].

Junk Car Recycling

The junk car selling enterprise is profitable, but it is also environmentally-wise. Cars are primarily made of metal, with an average of such metal being 65% steel. Since steel is a widely-used commodity that can be recycled and reused over and over again, it generally retains good economic value. Per ton, the average price of steel lingers around $250 or so.

Why Recycle Junk Cars

According to the EPA, the steel recycling process requires around 74% less energy than it takes to make new steel. In fact, virtually all steel produced today contains an average of 25% recycled metal. Furthermore, recycled steel is less expensive since the fixed overhead costs of mining and production are no longer relevant. Aside from the environmental benefits, perhaps the best reason for you to sell your junk car and have it recycled is because it can put instant cash in your hand.

How to Sell Your Junk Car for Cash

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car for cash in Indianapolis, today! We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years. You will get the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. We buy all types of vehicles in all types of shape, running or not, and offer free towing and pick-up.

How Does the Junk Car Buying Process Work?

Posted on January 13, 2020 by junkcars17

After years of collecting weeds and stray animals, your junk car is ready to be sold to a salvage yard. Although you might think that its value is not worth the trouble of going through the junk car selling process, you’d actually be surprised to learn how much a buyer would pay for it’s metal content. You see, cars contain a large amount of metal, which is 100% recyclable. This reusable metal is highly value to our economy, and therefore, fervently sought out by a variety of buyers, including junk car companies.

Sure, the worth of a junk car will vary on a large spectrum depending on a wide range of factors, but the reality is that you can still get rid of a piece of junk and put some cash in your pocket, all in the same day. All you have to do is get the junk car selling and buying process started on the right foot.

Continue reading to learn how the junk car sales process works, what you need to know, and who to trust for the highest payouts in Central Indiana.

Junk Car Research

Your first step to selling a junk car is happening right now; research. It is important to educate yourself on the basic economics and practices in the junk car buying industry. This knowledge will set you up with a basis that will allow you to ask the right questions and choose the right buyer. Typically, the first item of information a junk car seller wants to know is how much their car is worth. As mentioned, junk car values will vary depending on a wide scope of factors, including make, model, age, condition, and current market demand.

The only way to know how much your junk asset is worth is to have it evaluated in-person by a qualified junk car professional. Such professionals will retain state of the art technologies, like electronic weight scales and metal analyzers, and apply these technologies to their years of experience, allowing them to develop an accurate estimation of value for a junk vehicle.

Contact a Junk Car Pro

Once you have given yourself a basic crash course in junk car economics, you are ready to start contacting junk car companies to see who will pay the most and offer the best customer conveniences. For instance, it is wise to choose a junk car buyer who can provide pickup and haul away service at no extra charge. They will simply come to you. Some junk car companies deduct towing fees from their total offer for this type of service. See our blog, “How to Choose the Best Junk Car Buyers” to learn effective strategies for finding a dependable Indianapolis junk car buyer near you.

Accept an Offer

Once you have a junk car buyer on the phone, request a free estimate for your junk car. They will simply ask you a few questions about the vehicle regarding the age, make, model, and condition, and from there, give you a rough estimate. If you prefer a more precise estimate, you can bring your vehicle in and have it evaluated in person. However, if the company does not offer free pickup, you will have to pay to have it towed. In the case that the company does offer free pickup, and you choose not to accept their offer, you will have to reimburse them for the towing.

Prepare Your Vehicle

After you accept an offer, you will need to prove your ownership. A car title is the best way to do this, however, some junk car buyers will accept other documents that prove you are the owner, such as the registration. See our blog, “How Do I Replace a Lost or Stolen Car Title?” to learn more about obtaining one for your junk car. Locate the car title and have it ready for the junk car buyer when they arrive. Finish by clearing out all other personal belongings, including trash and your license plate. Once the junkcar4 buyer arrives to collect the vehicle, just give them the title and they will hand you cash or check.

Learn More About Selling a Junk Car in Indiana

When you really just don’t know who to trust when it comes to scrapping a salvaged vehicle in Indiana, simply go with the best. Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to request a free, over-the-phone quote, or more information regarding the junk car selling process. Whether your vehicle runs or not, we are ready to make you an excellent offer and take it off your hands for free. We have an in-house tow truck that will come directly to your location to pick up your junk car.

How to Assess Your Junk Car’s Worth

Posted on December 30, 2019 by junkcars17

When it comes time to sell your junk car, the very first step is to determine its realistic value. In order to do so accurately, it requires a particular formula that includes gaining a basic understanding of how scrap metal is assigned value on the market, and what factors influence your particular vehicle’s overall worth. Continue below to cover all of these speeds and more.

Junk Car Values

Junk cars are valuable because they contain metal, which is 100% recyclable, and can be melted down and repurposed infinitely. Not only does this help preserve our planet’s natural resources by reducing the need to mine for new ores, it decreases air pollution produced by metal refining factories, stimulates the economy, and much more. So although a junk car is deemed a total loss, it is still worth some cash, but the amount of cash depends on several factors.

Such factors include the current market price for the vehicle, the amount of depreciation in its used condition, the cost of repairs or replacements needed to get the vehicle back into a working condition, the make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle’s location, its present overall condition, the current market prices for scrap metal, and much more. This is why the value of one junk car is almost always different from another. However, the most important and influential factor is market value. Basically, when the price of metal is down, a junk car is worth less; and when the price of metal is up, a junk car is worth more.

How to Get a Fair Junk Car Assessment

The best way to learn how much your junk car is worth is to have it appraised, professionally. It requires certain equipment, resources, and industry knowledge to make a proper estimation. This includes metal identification technology, such as XRF analyzers, as well as, electronic scales, metal market adeptness, and much more. So who can you trust do have all of this and a commitment to customer service? The answer is in Central Indiana.

Just Call GC’s Junk Cars!

Here at GC’s Junk Cars, our Indianapolis junk car center retains advanced technologies and state-of-the-art analyzation equipment that allows us to read the type of metal in a vehicle, and the quantities present. We also look up the make and model vehicle to determine the specific percentage of metals and non-metals, then implement the proper mathematical calculations to remove the non-metal percentage from the final quote.

Contact us today at 317-608-2188 to request a free, over-the-phone quote, or more information regarding the junk car selling process. Whether your vehicle runs or not, we are ready to make you an excellent offer and take it off your hands for free. We have an in-house tow truck that will come directly to your location to pick up your junk car!

How Do I Get a Vehicle History Report in Indiana?

Posted on December 6, 2019 by junkcars17

It is important to know what the history of a vehicle is before completing the purchasing paperwork. In other cases, you might want to learn the background of your car before you sell it in order to have a better idea of its potential worth. Regardless of your need for a vehicle history report, be sure you are taking the proper steps to acquire one from an approved source with accurate data.

Continue reading to learn your options for obtaining a history report for a vehicle in Indiana, and how to sell a car that no one else will buy.

Online Searches

The first place to start when looking for vehicle history information is the internet. This is simply the fastest and most comprehensive method of searching for vehicular history. However, be warned that not all vehicle history searches online are free. Some online searches require a non-refundable fee, which can range from a few dollars to $30 or more, depending on the supplier and the extent of information you are looking for.

Special Note: When looking for an online car history report source, be sure it is supported by data provided by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This will be the most up-to-date and accurate information available to the general public.

Car Dealerships

Another option for recovering an official report for a vehicle’s history is to contact the dealership it was purchased from last. Although this option is not the most dependable source, it may be good for newer cars that have had few owners. Car dealerships should retain such documents on vehicles up to 3 years after their purchase date.

Keep in mind that there are some sources of vehicle history data that are not available to the general public. These sources include Carfax, CVR, DMVDesk, and Experian. These companies only provide information to official car dealerships.

How to Sell a Junk Car

If you discover that your vehicle has a salvaged title, you can sell it to a junk car buyer for a fail-safe way to get rid of it. Simply contact a local Indianapolis junk car company and tell them all about your vehicle. They will give you an offer, and upon accepting it, will come and pick it up the next day. Some junk car buyers will pay you cash on the spot and provide free tow-away service.

Trusted Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers

Can the Wrong Fuel Damage a Car?

Posted on November 27, 2019 by junkcars17

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you put a different type of fuel into your vehicle than you normally do? Could you put diesel fuel in a Honda? Or unleaded fuel in a Lamborghini? There are certainly some good reasons why car manufacturers instruct a particular type of fuel for their vehicles; but how scientific are they? What if you accidentally use the wrong fuel nozzle at the gas pump? Will your car be damaged beyond repair? If so, how can you recover without insurance coverage? As a vehicle owner, these are all very pertinent questions that warrant answers.

Continue reading to learn what might happen if you put the wrong type of fuel in your car, and what to do if it ever happens by accident.

Here is the thing about using the wrong type of fuel in a car: it can either have severe effects, like major engine damage or corroded fuel lines, or it can have no real effect at all. It depends on the type of fuel used, and the make and model vehicle it was put into.

Putting Diesel in a Gasoline Engine

If you were to put diesel fuel into a gasoline engine, the effects would not be as devastating as the former scenario, however, it would still be a bad situation for both you and your car. Not only will it make the car smoke excessively, the car will not perform well. Furthermore, it may clog the fuel filter, lines, and injectors. If you were to continue giving a gasoline engine diesel, the engine would eventually stop working altogether. If this situation does occur, do not start your car. Instead, disconnect the battery and then have your vehicle towed to a mechanic.

Putting Gasoline in a Diesel Engine

If you put regular gasoline into a vehicle that runs on a diesel engine, you are in a bad position. First, do not start the car, otherwise, the damage will be catastrophic to the engine and fuel system. Second, to remedy the problem, you will have to have the entire fuel system cleaned. This includes everything from the tank and lines, to the injectors, filter, and more. In addition to automotive damage, gasoline and diesel fuel have different boiling points, so from a mechanical standpoint, using gasoline in a diesel engine would destroy the engine and related systems.

No Car Insurance?

In the case that you do not have automotive insurance, your position is worse since you might be left with a totaled car and no settlement check. If this happens, you still have some viable options for selling your car. The best option is to sell your totaled car to a local junk car buyer in Indianapolis. They will pay you cash on the spot for the market value of your car, so long as you can prove ownership of the vehicle.

Here’s How to Get Started!

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to get paid cash for your totaled car in Indianapolis. Our Indiana junk car buyers offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you cash. No title? No problem! Give us a call anyway! Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, today.

Your Options as an Indianapolis Junk Car Owner

Posted on November 15, 2019 by junkcars17

There are several advantages of owning a junk car that many people have never considered. To most, junk vehicles are garbage that no one wants to deal with or buy. Instead, a junk car can actually be a great treasure! Continue reading to learn a few ideas, tips, and fun ways to put a junk car to good use once and for all!

One of the greatest opportunities for junk car owners is be able to discover different ways on how to discard or get rid of a junk car in their garage or driveway. For example, there are various components in vehicles that can be recycled and reused in countless ways. This option is the most recommended, however, there are many other fun ways to reuse a scrap vehicle.

Selling Junk Cars Parts

A person can sell a junk vehicle as a whole, or disassemble the parts and sell them piece by piece. Since there are so many salvageable parts on a scrap car, you can potentially make more money if you take apart the junk vehicle yourself and sell each individual component separately. But beware, this option requires a lot of effort, automotive and mechanical knowledge, and time. For the average car owner, the better and more convenient option is to sell a junk car whole.

Sell a Junk Car Whole

There are several options when it comes to selling a junk car as a whole. Depending on the status and conditional state of the vehicle, the cash value with always vary. The better condition the car is in, the more money it is worth. Also, if a car still retains the valuable components, such as a catalytic converter and engine, then it is worth even more. The best place to start if you wish to sell a junk car for cash is an Indianapolis junk car buying company. Junk car buyers do just that; they buy junk vehicles and break them down into more valuable parts. Junk car buyers are a good options because they retain the appropriate equipment, machinery, and tools to quickly disassemble a car and recycle the metal that is inside.

Why Choose a Junk Car Buyer

Junk car buyers will certainly give you a higher cash return for your junk vehicle than a regular person who’s found your ad in the paper. They know and understand the worth of certain metals with automobiles and retain the finances to purchase large inventories of scrap vehicles for recycling purposes. They also make the process easier for the client because they generally offer pickup and towing services for free. This way you do not even have to leave your house to sell a junk car.

Creative Uses for junk Cars

One great option is to simply keep your old car in case you need to replace a worn-out part in your current vehicle. Using old car parts as spare or backup parts is a great way to save money and be resourceful at the same time! Buying new car parts can be costly and time consuming. Using a spare part saves cash so long as you can find a person to install it for a fair price. This is a great way to put your old car to use while saving money too.

Another option for old junk vehicles is to use them for art or other fun commodities. Many artistic people like to take regular items and turn them into fun and useful things. For example, old car parts can be constructed to form beautiful modern and creative art, or even refurbished into household items like towel racks and mantles.

Overall, junk cars have many uses and should never be shrugged off as a waste of space or trash. Recycling, earning money, creative art, and more are just the beginning of what a junk car can do for you and others! If you own a junk vehicle, consider some of these ideas and spread the word so everyone can make a little cash and contribute to the environment at the same time!

Call Our Trusted Indiana Junk Car Buyers!

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis to our reputable and honest Cash for Cars Company you can trust. We offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you CASH ON THE SPOT! We accept all vehicles and motorized commodities, regardless of age or condition. Request a free estimate, today!