Selling a car online with a bad catalytic converter is possible, as there are many buyers interested in purchasing vehicles in any condition, including those with a damaged catalytic converter. While a catalytic converter is an essential part of the car, damages to it won't significantly diminish the value of the vehicle. Let's explore the process of how to sell a vehicle with a bad catalytic converter online and how you can make the transaction easier all around.
Understanding the problems of having a bad catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a key part of your vehicle's exhaust system that chemically converts pollutants from your engine into less environmentally harmful particles. These parts are commonly stolen by thieves, as they are rich in valuable metals like rhodium and palladium.
The environment can have a negative effect on the state of your catalytic converter. Litter, speed bumps, and potholes can cause physical damage to the catalytic converter and interrupt its performance. These parts can also overheat and melt at times due to malfunctions like low compression, poor fuel quality, and misfires. When coated in leaking fluids like oil or coolant, the catalytic converter may also malfunction and cause catalyst poisoning. Regularly checking and maintaining your vehicle will prevent your catalytic converter from exposing you to dangerous carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.
How to sell a car with a bad catalytic converter online
Selling a car with a bad catalytic converter is your best bet if you do not plan on getting the part replaced. Driving around with a defective catalytic converter is dangerous. Private buyers and cash for cars services are willing to purchase your vehicle from you even if it has missing or damaged parts. Before conducting a sale with a buyer, let them know about the condition of the vehicle and the catalytic converter. Accurately relaying the condition of the vehicle is a legal imperative and will also allow buyers to give you the best offer possible.
Below are the main four steps required to sell an inoperable vehicle to a cash for cars service.
Share the vehicle's details
With cash for cars services, you will be asked to enter the details of your car into a price quote tool. These details include the make, model, year, mileage, and condition. A virtual appraisal will be performed and, once finished, you will receive an immediate offer for your vehicle. This offer is based on the market value of your vehicle, along with the condition of the car and the location.
To ensure a successful sale, it's important to provide accurate information during the process. Before the car removal, a quick inspection will be conducted, and any additional damages will affect the sale negatively.
Get your best offer
You will receive an instant offer for your vehicle after you enter all the details of your car into the price quote tool. This may seem like a lot of pressure, but cash for cars services frequently give you a period to mull the offer over and compare deals. Sell My Car Online gives you seven days or 100 additional miles, whichever comes first. We want you to feel confident with the sale and giving you a window of time to compare other quotes is the best way for you to be sure Sell My Car Online is the service for you.
For these services, negotiations are usually not allowed. This is because cash for cars services research the value of your car and have a network of buyers readily available to purchase your vehicle.
Accept your offer
You can accept the offer after you've compared all of your options, and then schedule a date and time for vehicle removal and payment. When using Sell my Car Online, we will always make sure to work on your schedule, so you never have to be inconvenienced by vehicle removal. Vehicle removal is 100% free as well, so you do not have to worry about transportation costs for the car.
While arranging a date for vehicle transfer, you will be asked to provide proof of ownership of the vehicle. This is necessary for selling a vehicle in any state across the country. If you do not have valid proof of ownership, you must obtain duplicate copies, as it is illegal to sell vehicles without it. Generally, the title is the most common proof of ownership document, so have this handy when ironing out the details of the sale.
Sell your car online in 24-72 hours
It takes an average of 24-72 hours for your unwanted vehicle to be sold and removed once a date for vehicle transfer has been agreed upon. Make sure that the vehicle is easily accessible to the towing service. Prepare your vehicle for a final inspection by removing clutter and personal items from the car. If the inspection goes as planned, you will receive immediate cash payment on the day of the vehicle transfer.
Why selling your car with a bad catalytic converter is the best option
Selling your damaged and unwanted vehicle on online platforms requires minimal effort and is the most convenient sales option around. In in-person car sales, you'll waste tons of precious cash, spending money on transportation and detailing to convince the buyer to give you a fair price. With car sales on the internet, and especially cash for cars services, you can sell a car with an inoperative catalytic converter without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.
In-person sales are often hasty and stressful, as you will encounter pushy car dealers that want you to accept the first lowball offer. By selling your car online, you have much more time to carefully consider your options. You'll never be forced into an unsatisfactory sale, and you will have a guaranteed offer that is valid for a week or more.
3 main factors to consider when determining the value of a car with a bad catalytic converter
The three main factors to consider when determining the value of a car with a bad catalytic converter are:
- The vehicle's year, make, and model.
- The vehicle's condition.
- Whether or not the vehicle is salvageable.
There are additional factors that go into determining the value of cars with a damaged catalytic converter. Discover more on the topic of determining the value of cars online.
Assess the value of your car with an online calculator
During an online car sale, you'll use an online calculator to determine your vehicle's worth. This calculator will require details about your vehicle such as its make, model, year, mileage, condition, and location. From there, you'll receive an instant price quote based on market value and the given information. When working with Sell My Car online, you'll have the opportunity to review your options for seven days or 100 additional miles. Digital appraisals are becoming the norm in car sales, allowing cash for cars services to offer speed and convenience to sellers.
Exploring your options for selling a car with a bad catalytic converter
There are additional ways to sell your car versus selling it on the internet. The 3 alternative ways to sell your blown engine car are listed below.
Sell your bad catalytic converter car to a junkyard or salvage yard
Salvage yards or junkyards take unusable or wrecked vehicles to minimize waste and reduce toxic emissions. These facilities know how to properly dismantle and dispose of these vehicles, which prevents them from causing excessive harm by leaking dangerous fluids into the environment. Contact your local junkyard for a vehicle appraisal, and don't forget to ask whether they offer free vehicle removal! Transportation costs are hefty, so this is a non-negotiable requirement to ensure you're getting the most out of the sale.
Sell your bad catalytic converter car to a private buyer
A vehicle with a busted catalytic converter doesn't mean the car is totally done for, and private buyers often understand this. You can reach out to private buyers by listing your vehicle on platforms like Cars.com, eBay Motors, and Craigslist. Cash is the best payment method to ask for when selling to a private buyer.
Check payments or digital transfers are often affected by delays with your bank, which can be upsetting if you're in need of the money ASAP. Don't forget to ask for a copy of the buyer's driver's license or take note of their address and contact information, just in case something does go wrong with the sale.
Sell your bad catalytic converter car to a dealer or trade-in
Dealerships will often accept a car with a missing or damaged part or two. In this case, you can accept a payment for the vehicle, or trade it in for a different car. Shop around to make sure you are receiving the best deal, because dealerships will not all offer you the same price.
Sell your bad catalytic converter car online
Selling your car online yields the best profit out of any selling option out there. You'll never have to pay for car removal or any hidden fees. Sell My Car Online accepts cars of any make, model, and condition. You can expect fast price quotes, quick vehicle removal, and on-the-spot payments with every sale.
Exploring alternatives to selling your car with a bad catalytic converter
You do not have to sell your car online in order to get rid of it. Below you will find 3 alternatives to selling a vehicle with a catalytic converter in poor condition.
Trading in the car for a new one
Trade your vehicle instead if you're selling it to raise funds for purchasing a new one. Trade-ins are possible through a private sale, usually with an auto dealer or through a car buying platform. However, the downside to trade-ins is that sometimes you won't be receiving the maximum value of your vehicle toward your next car.
When you sell a car with Sell My Car Online, you will always receive an amazing price for a vehicle. We will never give you a lowball offer, and you have a week to think things over and check out other offers to give yourself some peace of mind.
Scrapping the car for parts
Scrapping your car for parts brings in the most money because individual car parts are extremely valuable, especially the catalytic converter. Even a damaged catalytic converter yields a great return because it contains valuable precious metals like palladium and rhodium. Scrapping your vehicle for parts is possible by selling to junkyards or salvage yards. You can sell the remaining parts of your vehicle to a recycling facility, that will buy the scrap metal from you at a certain price per ton.
Donating the car to charity
Donating a car feels good, but they are also beneficial to used car owners. Charitable donations contribute positively to the community and make it possible for you to write it off as a tax deduction. This is great for people who have older cars that are still pretty functional and would prefer to help out less fortunate folks.
Necessary paperwork for selling cars with bad catalytic converters
To sell a car with a bad catalytic converter, you need to provide proof ownership documents. Three examples of these documents are listed below.
Title
A vehicle title is the best proof of ownership document you can provide during a car sale. The title must be transferred to the new owner of the vehicle on the day of pickup. If you do not have the original vehicle title, reach out to the DMV for a replacement. Submit an application for a replacement title, along with the applicable fee. You will likely receive your new title in two weeks or less, depending on your location. The upside to offering your car for sale online is that car buyers will take care of filing the title transfer for you, which is necessary for a legal sale.
Bill of Sale
A bill of sale is another valid proof of ownership document. This document contains all the terms of the sale, which includes the purchase date, the contact information of both parties involved, and a thorough description of the vehicle. The location of the sale is also noted in the bill of sale.
Vehicle History Report
Although some potential buyers request a vehicle history report, this document is not always needed. A vehicle history report contains information about past and present vehicle owners, accident records, mileage, inspection history, open recalls, among other details. Typically, buyers who plan to fix the vehicle for resale or reuse will want to ensure that it is legally permissible to be rebuilt and sold.
We Buy Cars With Bad Catalytic Converter 24/7 Online or By Phone
Whether your car has a damaged catalytic converter or is in excellent condition, Sell My Car Online can help. We purchase vehicles of any condition and provide a fast, no-obligation price quote based on the information you provide and current market rates. Our car selling platform is designed to be the easiest and most straightforward option available, with helpful selling guides and other resources to help you make informed decisions.
Getting started is simple - just enter your vehicle details into our price quote tool, and you'll receive an offer instantly. Take up to seven days or 100 additional miles to decide if our service is right for you. If you choose to sell with us, we'll help you arrange a vehicle pickup time and date. On the day of pickup, our team will verify the condition of your car and then pay you promptly in cash. It really is that easy!
Frequently asked questions about selling a car with a bad catalytic converter online
How much can I sell my car with a bad catalytic converter for online?
The value of a vehicle with a faulty catalytic converter is influenced by three factors: location, market demand, and the overall condition of the car. The worth of a car varies according to its location since certain areas have differing demand levels. Accessibility to the towing service and the price of scrap metal in the region are additional location-dependent factors.
Market demand pertains to the popularity of particular vehicle models within a specific area. In regions with colder climates, for instance, SUVs are in higher demand than convertibles. Lastly, the current condition of the car is among the most critical factors in determining its sales price. A vehicle missing vital components like the engine, transmission, tires, or steering wheel will be worth less than a vehicle in good condition that's only missing a functional catalytic converter.
Where can I sell my car with a bad catalytic converter online?
If you have a car with a non-functioning catalytic converter, there are two primary options for selling it: cash for cars services or private buyers. These options are often the most profitable and convenient. Some well-known cash for cars services include Pull-a-Part, The Clunker Junker, Junk Car Medics, Peddle, and LKQ. These services specialize in purchasing damaged or junk vehicles and have ready buyers who will offer you a fair price for your used car.
Alternatively, you can consider selling your car privately using platforms such as eBay Motors, Facebook Marketplace, or Cars.com. These platforms provide a space for you to connect with potential buyers and negotiate the terms of the sale if needed. However, it's important to note that when selling privately, you're often responsible for arranging and paying for vehicle transportation, especially if the car is inoperable and the buyer is located in another state.
How do I list my car with a bad catalytic converter for sale online?
When putting your car with a faulty catalytic converter up for sale online, it's important to write a compelling advertisement. High-quality photos are an important aspect of a car listing. Posting around 20-25 pictures is typically considered acceptable. Before taking the photos, make sure to thoroughly clean and detail your car. Showcasing that the vehicle has been well-maintained will attract more potential buyers.
Set a reasonable price for your car to generate interest in your listing. Clearly overpriced vehicles tend not to receive many inquiries, because many buyers use price range filters when searching online. Additionally, it's important to describe the vehicle accurately. Misleading buyers is not only unethical but also illegal and will end up costing you more in the long run.
While listing your car for a private sale provides access to a wide range of buyers and allows for negotiation, your best option is to receive a firm cash offer for your vehicle. Cash for cars services are highly effective because they offer a fast and convenient way to sell a vehicle. The entire process takes as little as 24-72 hours to complete, and you'll have the advantage of receiving on-the-spot payments and free vehicle removal. This way, you get the most out of selling your car.
Is it worth fixing a bad catalytic converter before selling the car online?
Fixing or replacing your catalytic converter becomes worthwhile when you carefully consider the method of selling your car. With a private sale, if the catalytic converter is one of the only issues, replacing the part will increase the car's value enough to get a decent return on investment. However, if your car has other physical damage or missing parts, replacing this one part won't increase the value by much.
By selling your car to Sell my Car Online, you still receive an amazing price for your car without having to worry about fixing up any broken parts. Therefore, selling your car with a bad catalytic converter is most profitable when using a cash for cars service.
What information should I disclose when selling a car with a bad catalytic converter online?
Being transparent about the condition of your car is crucial when communicating with potential buyers. You avoid delays during the inspection process if you provide an overview of any mechanical issues or physical damage from the outset. As previously mentioned, it's ill-advised and illegal to avoid misleading buyers. Misrepresenting a vehicle's condition results in either the car not being sold or, worse, the car even being seized by law enforcement as evidence.
To ensure a fair and legal sale, provide all necessary information regarding the car's condition to the buyer, and offer proof of ownership documents as required. This transparency will help you get the most profitable sale for your vehicle while avoiding any potential legal consequences.
