There’s a certain point where an old car stops being useful and starts becoming a bit of a nuisance.
Maybe it hasn’t moved from the driveway in months. Maybe the mechanic has given you a repair bill that makes you wonder whether it’s worth fixing at all. Or perhaps it was involved in an accident and has been sitting there ever since.
Whatever the story is, getting rid of an unwanted car doesn’t always mean putting it up for sale and waiting around for someone to make an offer.
For plenty of Sydney owners, having the vehicle collected is simply easier.
First, work out whether the car is actually worth fixing
This is where a lot of people get stuck.
You might have an old Corolla, Commodore, Mazda, ute or family wagon that has served you well for years. Even when it starts playing up, there’s often a temptation to throw a bit more money at it and keep it going.
But if the repairs are starting to cost more than the car is worth, it’s worth doing the sums.
There’s also the hassle of keeping an old car registered, insured and maintained when you’re hardly using it.
Sometimes the sensible thing is to call it a day.
What if the car doesn’t run?
That’s not necessarily a problem.
An old car doesn’t have to be sitting there with a healthy engine and four good tyres before someone can pick it up. Non-running and damaged vehicles can usually be moved with suitable towing equipment.
It’s worth mentioning the condition of the car when you make the booking, though. If it’s been sitting in a tight driveway or behind another vehicle, the removal company needs to know that beforehand.
A quick photo can also make things easier.
It saves everyone the awkward situation of turning up and discovering that the car is wedged into a spot where a normal tow truck can’t get near it.
Have a look through the car before it goes
This sounds obvious, but people forget it all the time.
Before the car is collected, have a proper look inside.
Check the boot. Open the glovebox. Look under the seats. Have a look in the centre console and door pockets as well.
Old cars tend to become storage cupboards after a while. You might find an old pair of sunnies, tools, paperwork, coins or something you’ve been looking for for the last six months.
If the vehicle has a built-in entertainment or navigation system, don’t forget about your personal information either. Clear saved addresses, Bluetooth connections and anything else you don’t want left behind.
What happens to an unwanted vehicle?
That depends on the condition of the car.
A vehicle that’s still got usable parts may be assessed for those parts. Older or badly damaged cars can be sent through the recycling process, where materials such as metal can be recovered.
That’s a much better outcome than leaving an old vehicle sitting in a backyard until it becomes a bigger problem.
Cars contain plenty of recyclable material, so even a vehicle that’s no longer suitable for the road can still have a useful second life in another form.
Don’t just choose a company because the ad says “free”
This is one thing worth checking before you organise anything.
If a company is advertising vehicle collection at no charge, ask what is included. Find out whether there are any conditions based on the location or condition of the vehicle.
It’s also worth checking how the company handles the vehicle once it has been collected.
You don’t need a twenty-question interview. A quick conversation should be enough to work out what you’re getting and how the pickup will work.
For Sydney owners looking for an easy way to have an unwanted vehicle taken away, car collection services can be a practical option rather than organising transport yourself.
What about the registration?
This is another thing you shouldn’t leave until the last minute.
If the vehicle is registered, check the current NSW requirements before handing it over. You may need to deal with the registration or number plates depending on the circumstances.
It’s much easier to sort this out while you still have the paperwork and the vehicle details in front of you.
Sydney has plenty of cars that have simply reached the end of the road
Walk around any Sydney suburb and you’ll see them.
An old car tucked beside the house. A vehicle under a cover that hasn’t moved for ages. A damaged sedan sitting in a driveway because the owner hasn’t got around to dealing with it.
Most people don’t keep these cars because they want to. They just keep putting the job off.
Once you’ve decided the car isn’t worth keeping, removing it can actually be the easy part.
Get the vehicle details together, take your belongings out, check the paperwork and arrange a collection time. After that, you can finally get the driveway back.
And let’s be honest — having an old car sitting around isn’t doing anyone much good.