Scrap Car Selling Tips for South Africa - Maximise Value & Avoid Pitfalls

When to Sell vs Repair

Deciding whether to repair or sell a damaged vehicle depends on repair estimates, the car’s pre-damage market value, and how long you can wait. Repairs that exceed a large percentage of the vehicle’s market value often make selling the more efficient option. Consider opportunity cost: storage, continued deterioration and additional parts failures can further reduce value over time.

Repair cost vs value retained (estimates for SA)

These figures are illustrative ranges for South Africa and depend heavily on make, model, age and parts availability. Where repair costs approach or exceed 40-60% of a vehicle’s market value, many owners opt to sell to a buyer who handles salvage, rather than investing time and money into repairs.

Damage types vs typical offer impact

For a clear explanation of which vehicles we buy and how our service works, see our About page and the site homepage for service coverage and examples: Sell Your Damaged Car homepage.

How the Process Works (Practical Steps)

A straightforward process reduces negotiation friction and gets you paid sooner. Typical steps for selling a scrap or damaged vehicle in South Africa include uploading details and photos, receiving an offer, accepting the offer, paperwork and collection (often free towing). When you provide accurate photos and the correct documentation up front, the offer you receive will be more reliable and the collection smoother.

What to prepare before you list the car

• Clear photos: multiple angles, close-ups of damage and the VIN/chassis if accessible.
• Basic vehicle details: make, model, year, mileage and any service history you have.
• Paperwork: vehicle registration document, ID or company documents (for fleet sales), and finance payoff details if the car is under bond.

Legal & paperwork in South Africa

Legal steps vary if the vehicle is privately owned, under finance, or written off by an insurer. If the car is financed, the bond holder must be informed and proceeds are normally used to settle the balance before ownership transfers. Deregistration and transfer is an important step - a buyer that handles deregistration reduces your administrative burden and lowers the chance of post-sale disputes.

For owners needing help with vehicles that do not run, our Sell Non-Running Car page explains what details speed up the valuation. For cars with visible accident damage, see our Sell Damaged Cars guidance.

Tips to maximise your offer

• Be honest and detailed in the description - undisclosed issues often reduce the final offer after inspection.
• Photograph key areas: engine bay, underside where possible, interior condition and all damaged panels.
• Provide maintenance receipts or service history if available - they support value even for damaged vehicles.
• Remove personal items and clean visible clutter to speed up handover and inspection.
• If under finance, get a current settlement figure from your lender to show transparency during negotiation.

What happens after collection

After you accept an offer and the vehicle is collected (nationwide free towing is common with specialist buyers), the buyer usually finalises paperwork including deregistration and transfer. Payment timing varies but reputable buyers arrange verified payment shortly after collection. Keep copies of all signed documents and bank confirmations for your records.

Final checklist

• Photos (exterior, interior, VIN)
• Registration and ID/company documents
• Any service/repair receipts
• Clear communication about finance or insurer involvement

Sources

• South African Government - Vehicle licensing and registration guidance
• AA South Africa - Advice for selling vehicles and handling accident damage
• AutoTrader South Africa - Market context and vehicle valuations

These tips reflect common experience in the South African market and aim to help owners make a clear, informed choice when selling scrap or heavily damaged vehicles. Accurate information up front and choosing a buyer who handles towing and paperwork will usually result in a smoother sale and a quicker payment process.