Introduction
You have had your car for years. It’s been through road trips, city traffic, snowy drives, and maybe even a few breakdowns. Now, it barely runs, or it doesn’t start at all. It just sits in your driveway and collects rust. You think, “I’ll deal with it later,” but nothing happens.
Here is the problem: most people don’t know what to do with an old car, so they either ignore it, dump it somewhere, or sell it for far less than its actual value. These choices can cost you money, time, and even lead to legal trouble.
Well, you can avoid all of this if you know what not to do. In this guide, you will learn the biggest mistakes people make with old vehicles and what smarter, safer options exist, especially if you live in the Greater Toronto Area. Let’s get straight into it.
1. Don’t Leave Your Old Car Sitting Around at Home
Leaving a dead vehicle on your property might seem okay at first. But over time, it creates issues. Fluids like brake fluid, engine oil, and antifreeze can seep into the ground. This harms your soil, garden, and even your local water system.
The metal parts also rust fast, especially during wet or snowy seasons. On top of that, mice and rats often build nests inside old cars. They chew wires and leave a mess. You could also face bylaw fines, especially in GTA areas where cities ban non-running vehicles on private lots.
That’s why it’s smart to act early. You can call a licensed scrap car removal service in Toronto and have the car taken away properly. That way, you avoid damage, save space, and follow the rules.
2. Don’t Sell Your Car Without Knowing Its Real Scrap Value
When your car stops working, your first thought might be to sell it quickly. But don’t rush into the process too quickly. Many scrap car buyers will try to offer you low prices, knowing you are in a hurry. Some might say they will fix it, but they are just after the parts. In the future, you may end up with paperwork problems or unpaid fines because the ownership was never transferred.
Also, if you don’t check the current scrap metal prices, you could lose out on good money. Scrap prices change based on the metal market, weight of the car, and type of vehicle. In Canada, scrap cars can be worth anywhere from $300 to $15,000, depending on their condition.
The right step is to call a few local recyclers and ask for quotes. A good scrap removal service will pay fairly, pick it up for free, and do proper documentation.
Also Read: A Complete Checklist of Documents You Need to Scrap Your Car in Canada
3. Never Abandon Your Car in a Parking Lot or Empty Space
Some people drive their non-functioning car to a mall or a back alley and just leave it there. This is illegal and risky. If someone reports it, the city could fine you. They might tow your car and charge you for the cost.
If you don’t transfer the ownership properly, your name stays connected to that car. If anything goes wrong, like theft or illegal dumping, you could be held liable. Abandoning a vehicle doesn’t solve the problem. It just makes it worse.
So, handle the vehicle the right way. Use a genuine scrap car removal service that handles pickup, ownership transfer, and disposal.
4. Stop Spending Money on Car Repair
You may feel attached to your car and want to repair it one more time. But major repairs don’t always make sense. If the engine is blown, the frame is rusted, or the transmission is shot, fixing it will cost more than the car’s actual value.
Also, older cars often have more hidden issues. Even if you fix one thing, something else could fail soon. If a mechanic tells you the car needs thousands in repairs, and it’s already over ten years old, it’s probably time to scrap it.
5. Avoid Removing and Selling Car Parts by Yourself
You might think you can earn more by taking parts out and selling them online individually. But unless you have tools and experience, this rarely works out. Removing parts like batteries or tires can be dangerous. You might hurt yourself or spill harmful fluids.
Even if you safely remove the parts, finding buyers can be difficult. Some parts just don’t sell, and you are left with a half-stripped car no one wants to buy. Auto recyclers do this work every day. They have the tools, licenses, and buyers for the parts. They know what can be reused and what needs to be recycled.
Also Read: 5 Signs It’s Time to Scrap Your Old Car: A Canadian Driver’s Checklist
6. Don’t Ignore Canada’s Vehicle Recycling Rules
You can’t simply dump a car anywhere or take it apart in your backyard. Canada has clear rules for recycling old vehicles. These rules exist to protect the environment and keep toxic materials out of landfills.
Cars contain harmful stuff like battery acid, oil, gasoline, and mercury. If these leak into the soil or water, they cause long-term harm. Licensed recyclers know how to remove and handle these safely.
7. Don’t Keep Delaying the Decision to Get Rid of It
Dropping the idea of scrapping your car doesn’t make things easier. It only adds more problems over time. The longer it sits, the more damage it takes. Rust spreads. Fluids leak. Tires go flat. You might forget to cancel insurance or keep paying for a policy you don’t need. If the car gets stolen or causes damage while it’s still in your name, you could face fines or legal issues.
Many car owners wait too long. Don’t miss the chance to get value from your old car. A genuine scrap car buyer can remove your car in a day.
8. Cancel Your Insurance and Return the Plates
Once your car is gone, you still need to cancel your insurance. If you don’t, you will keep getting charged every month. That’s wasted money for a car you no longer own.
Also, don’t forget to return your license plates to ServiceOntario. You can cancel the registration at the same time. In some cases, you will even get a refund for the time left on your policy.
9. Don’t Give the Car to Someone Without Transferring Ownership
You might want to give the car to a friend or family member. That’s fine, but do it the right way. Just handing over the keys isn’t enough. If the ownership stays in your name, and they get into a crash, you could face legal issues. Insurance companies may also reject any claims. They may refuse to pay if the transfer wasn’t done legally.
Also Read: Can A Car Be Scrapped Without Owner’s Permission?
10. Don’t Trust Scrap Car Buyers Who Aren’t Licensed
Not every buyer is honest. Some work without a license. They might tow your car and dump it illegally. Some may offer high payouts, but never provide a Certificate of Destruction that states the car was recycled properly.
These are warning signs:
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- No website or company name.
- No paperwork.
- Unrealistic cash offers that seem too good to be true.
- Shady pickup locations
Work with companies that are licensed, insured, and known in your area. In the GTA, you can easily find trusted names if you search for verified scrap car removal services.
Conclusion
Keeping an old, broken vehicle around causes more problems than it solves. You now know what not to do. Don’t ignore it, don’t pour money into the unfixable, and don’t trust people who cut corners. Greenway Auto Recycling has provided trusted scrap car removal services across the GTA since 2002. We give quick pickups, fair payouts, and full paperwork handling. Call us today at (416) 783-9026 and get rid of your old car.
