South Africa Scrap Vehicle Selling Guide - How to Sell a Scrap Car Safely

Overview: What counts as a scrap vehicle in South Africa

A scrap vehicle typically refers to a car that is no longer economical to repair, has been written off by an insurer, is severely damaged, flood- or fire-affected, or is non-running due to major mechanical failure. In South Africa, owners of scrap vehicles face decisions between repairing, part-selling, or selling the vehicle whole to a specialist buyer. This guide explains when selling as scrap makes sense, the market you can access, and practical steps to get a transparent cash offer.

When to sell your car as scrap vs repair

Decide to sell as scrap when the estimated repair costs are close to or exceed the vehicle's market value, when the vehicle is written off, or when downtime and transport costs make repairs impractical. For many owners in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, selling to a buyer who handles towing and paperwork is faster and less risky than arranging repairs or trying to sell parts privately.

Repair cost vs value retained

How the scrap vehicle selling process works

Selling a scrap vehicle to a specialist buyer typically follows a few clear steps. Many professional buyers in South Africa, including nationwide services, offer online valuation, free towing, paperwork assistance and fast payment.

Step-by-step summary

• Provide vehicle details and photos to receive a valuation.
• Compare offers and check inclusions (towing, paperwork, exclusions).
• Accept the offer and schedule collection.
• Complete transfer paperwork and receive payment after collection.

Damage types vs typical offer impact

Local market demand matters: popular models and late-model components can raise scrap offers, while rare or heavily corroded cars may attract lower bids. For detailed options on non-running vehicles, see our Sell Non-Running Car and Sell Damaged Cars pages.

Legal & paperwork in South Africa

When selling a scrap vehicle, you must transfer ownership correctly to avoid ongoing liability. In South Africa, this usually involves completing a change-of-ownership form at the registering authority, notifying your insurer if relevant, and settling any outstanding finance before transfer. Specialist buyers often assist with deregistration and paperwork to reduce owner time and error.

Vehicles under finance

If your vehicle is bonded, inform the finance house. Net proceeds are typically used to settle the outstanding balance and any surplus paid to you. Do not transfer ownership until the finance settlement is confirmed; reputable buyers will coordinate with the finance institution to complete the sale legally.

Tips to maximise your scrap offer

• Provide clear photos: multiple angles, close-ups of damage, and interior photos increase valuation accuracy.
• Be honest about issues: undisclosed faults discovered on collection can change offers.
• Gather documentation: vehicle registration, service history, and proof of ID speed up paperwork.
• Compare offers: consider inclusions like free towing, paperwork handling and payment timing.

What happens after collection

After collection, the buyer typically completes the remaining paperwork, deregisters the vehicle if required, and processes payment. Payment timing varies, but many professional services release verified payment shortly after collection. Keep copies of signed transfer documents and receipts for your records and for any insurer or finance queries.

Practical South Africa examples

Example 1: A homeowner in Durban with a 2010 hatchback that suffered flood damage opts to sell as scrap because repair costs were estimated at R50,000 and the vehicle's market value was R35,000. Selling to a specialist who provided free towing saved storage and transport expenses.

Example 2: A small courier fleet operator near Johannesburg decides to sell an old van with a seized engine. The buyer coordinated with the finance company to settle the bond, collected the vehicle from the depot at no charge, and paid the net amount within days.

Avoiding scams and choosing a trustworthy buyer

Assess buyers based on transparent terms, clear payment timelines, and documentation practices. Ask whether towing and deregistration are included and request written confirmation of the offer and collection details. For more general consumer safety advice, consult our guidance on how to avoid being scammed when selling vehicles.

Sources

• Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) - vehicle registration guidance
• National Credit Regulator - information on settling vehicle finance in South Africa
• South African Government Services - documents required for vehicle ownership transfer