Another Repair Bill. Should You Sell the Car or Scrap It?

The car’s got rust, the kilometres are climbing and your garage has just called with another estimate. Do you put more money into it, sell it or call a recycler? Before deciding to sell or scrap your car in Montreal, get a clear picture of its condition and a couple of real numbers.

Describe the car you have today

Write down the mileage, whether it starts and moves, known mechanical problems, visible rust and accident history. Add any professional diagnosis you’ve. “Needs a little work” is less useful than explaining that the car starts but can’t be driven because of a diagnosed brake problem.

Don’t crawl under an unsupported vehicle to take photos. A qualified shop can assess structural concerns that a driveway picture won’t resolve.

Get a buyer’s offer and a recycler’s quote

Ask a buyer whether they would purchase the car in its present condition. Separately, ask a recycler for a quote that identifies pickup charges, deductions and the documents required. Confirm who is collecting it and what happens to the registration.

Compare the amount you would keep after agreed costs. A higher headline quote may be less attractive if you must arrange towing or the amount changes when the truck arrives.

Don’t repair it just to justify the past

The money you’ve already spent is gone. The decision now is whether another expense creates enough benefit to be worthwhile. If a repair is needed for safe driving, that’s a safety decision; if it’s only intended to raise the selling price, ask what it would actually add.

Our repair-before-selling guide explains how to compare the cost with a realistic change in the offer.

Selling it or scrapping it? Be clear

A vehicle sold for continued use and one permanently discarded are different situations. Read the SAAQ’s vehicle-discarding instructions before authorizing that step. Keep collection and transaction records.

Car Buyers Montreal’s interest depends on the specific vehicle; we don’t promise to buy every non-running car. Send the basic details and explain the condition during follow-up. A clear answer lets you compare a purchase with recycling instead of guessing from the car’s age alone.