Sometimes, it can be hard to let go of an old vehicle.

So much of our lives are spent in our cars, and it’s easy to build a strong attachment to the car or truck that helped you get to so many places where you’ve made lasting memories.

But if it’s time to move on to a new vehicle, consider taking your old one to the scrap yard to be recycled. Many times, old or aging cars, trucks, or vans require more work to be sold than the vehicle is worth. Having your old vehicle scrap recycled could be the best option for the highest return.

So, if you’re ready to let go of your aging vehicle, here’s a checklist to make sure you get the best return for your scrap metal.

Deciding if your vehicle is ready to scrap

This can be a tough choice, but it’s important to know everything you can about the life left in your vehicle before you choose to scrap it. If the engine will still run, it will be worth more to sell it as a vehicle instead of as scrap metal.

Vehicle scrap metal recycling regulations in Tennessee

The state of Tennessee has very strict rules and guidelines concerning scrap recycling a vehicle, and they need to be adhered to before you bring your car, truck, or van down to the scrap yard. Here’s a quick summary:

Records
Scrap yards must keep records of all transactions for three years.

Proof of Title
Tennessee law requires a title with purchase for any car less than 12 years old.  For cars older than 12 years, a scrap yard like Roane Metals may purchase them without a title, as long as ownership by the seller can be confirmed.  Scrap yards, including Roane Metals, will run a title search through a database on every car purchased to ensure it is not reported stolen or has a lien on it.

Fingerprints
When materials are purchased, the scrap yard must take the seller’s fingerprints.

Driver’s license
A copy of the seller’s driver’s license is taken when materials are sold.

License plate number
The seller’s license plate is recorded and kept on file.

Collect your personal belongings

This is an obvious first step, but take the time to search your vehicle one or two more times before you take it to the scrap yard. It will be much more difficult to recover a forgotten item once the scrap recycling process begins.

Remove valuable parts from your vehicle

The metal parts of your vehicle are what’s most valuable for scrap recycling purposes, which means there are several parts of your car that can be sold on sites like Craigslist or eBay.

GPS
While some drivers prefer to use smartphones over built-in GPS systems, removing these from your old vehicle can still command a high price on the resale market. Electronic shops, car dealers, parts collectors, and manufacturers are all possible buyers for your built-in GPS systems.

Stereo
No one wants to drive a car without a stereo. Especially if you’ve purchased some custom speakers or other equipment, you’ll want to be sure you get some of the money back on the resale market. Parts collectors, parts recyclers, and private buyers on sites like Craigslist and eBay could be potential buyers.

Rims and tires
Quality tires and rims can be expensive, so buying these parts second hand could be a game-changer for a potential buyer. Parts recyclers, street racers, car enthusiasts, parts collectors, repair shops, and junk car buyers may be interested in your purchasing your old wheels.

Car battery
This is a part that needs to be removed from your car anyway before it can be recycled, and many times can be resold on its own. Individual buyers and scrap yards may be interested in purchasing your car battery.

Doors, windows, mirrors, and electrical parts
These car parts can all be very expensive if sold brand new, but they can all be sold individually to buyers looking to replace these parts.

Complete necessary paperwork

When taking your vehicle to be recycled for scrap metal, it’s important to show the proper documentation of ownership. Remember, you’re selling your vehicle to the scrapyard to be recycled, so bring your car title and be prepared to provide it when necessary.

Remove license plates

Your old license plate doesn’t stop being useful once your vehicle is sold for scrap. Removing the license plate is a legal requirement and your DMV may ask for it once the title is canceled.

Make sure your scrap yard is licensed

Don’t trust your vehicle to a scrap yard that doesn’t have the needed requirements to purchase your car, truck, or van. You’ll want to take your vehicle to a reputable scrap recycling facility that is licensed and in complete compliance with state and local regulations.

Cancel car insurance

This can become a significant headache if not addressed early. Canceling your vehicle’s insurance will ensure you’re not stuck paying a bill for a car that’s been stripped apart. Even if your coverage is almost up, it’s still important to notify your insurance carrier.

Remove gas and other fluids

This includes engine fuel, oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and wiper fluid.

Scrap Metal Recycling in East Tennessee

Millions of vehicles reach the end of their usable lives across the country, so it’s important financially and environmentally to allow the materials in these vehicles to find new life through scrap metal recycling. The expert technicians at Roane Metals Group know how to get the most when scrapping your vehicle to get you the highest return.

Here at Roane Metals Group, we buy a wide range of metals, and our experienced and highly trained staff wants to give you the best bang for your scrapping buck with our honest scales to maximize your payout. If you have scrap metal and you’re ready to cash in, come by one of our two conveniently located East Tennessee scrap yards in Rockwood and Crossville.

To find out more about recycling your scrap metal or your old vehicle, give us a call at 865-354-4282 today.