Introduction
Selling a junk car on Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, or Craigslist might look simple at first, but reality hits fast. Within hours, you could be dealing with strangers, endless lowball offers, missed calls, no-shows, and awkward payment disputes.
In Ontario, getting rid of a non-running, damaged, or unwanted vehicle isn’t just about finding a buyer — it’s about choosing the right method of disposal. Here’s why using an online marketplace to sell your scrap car can quickly turn into a frustrating, time-consuming, and risky process.
5 Reasons To Avoid Selling Your Junk Car Online
Selling a scrap car online may seem simple, but it typically involves underlying complications, including low legitimate offers, unqualified buyers, etc. You will find this can be an uphill battle, and the risks can far outweigh the rewards. Read on below for five reasons to avoid online marketplaces.
1. Lowball Offers Are Common
Most online shoppers are looking for a deal. When you list your junk vehicle online, be prepared to receive offers that are significantly below the scrap value of your vehicle. Most users on platforms such as Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace are not professional recyclers or parts buyers, and they do not know the actual value of the metal or parts that are in your vehicle.
They usually see the car as worthless and offer a low price after low-balling you. You might list your vehicle for $800, but be surprised to receive $200 or less. Even if you try to explain the value of the vehicle in terms of parts or metal, many buyers will still want a huge discount. You will end up wasting time negotiating, and in the end, you will feel like you have to sell the vehicle at a loss.
By selling to a certified auto recycler, you are ensured payment based on the weight of your vehicle and parts. Most recyclers will provide their quote based on the current scrap metal prices; they tend to be a lot more accurate and correct than the offers made online.
2. You Must Handle All Paperwork Yourself
If you want to sell a junk car privately in Ontario, there are some legal steps to address. You have to fill out the bill of sale, remove your plates, and properly sign the transfer of ownership over. If you are selling it to someone who isn’t familiar with the process, there is a chance that mistakes can be made.
For example, sometimes buyers forget to register the vehicle in their name, meaning you could still be liable for fines, towing, or legal notices down the line. You are also required to inform ServiceOntario that you sold the vehicle. If you don’t do this, your name is still linked to the vehicle in the provincial record. This can be problematic if the car is seized or abandoned or if someone otherwise uses it for an illegal purpose.
Whereas if you use a licensed auto recycler, you won’t have to worry about paperwork. The recycler will help you through the ownership transfer and notify the ministry as well. In some cases, they can even help return your plates, saving you time and potential liability moving forward.
3. Time-Consuming and Unreliable Buyers
Online marketplaces can be very time-consuming. You post your ad, and you receive constant messages from potential buyers. Some buyers will send you a million questions, even though they’re not serious about the purchase. Others will set a time to pick up the car and never show. You could wait all day, and then you’re simply ignored.
Even the serious buyers take a couple of days to arrange for towing or payment. If you’re trying to sell your junk car to make sure it’s not blocking your driveway or taking up your paid parking, you’re now losing money and time. In comparison, scrap car removal services are usually same-day or next-day services.
They will show up when they say they will, pay you what they said (more than what an internal buyer will), and they will take care of towing. This can all occur in one phone call, rather than wasting a few days trying to facilitate a buyer.
Also Read: Scrapping Your Car? 5 Reasons to Call Greenway Auto Recycling First
4. No Guarantee of Safe or Secure Transactions
There are always some risks when selling a vehicle and meeting strangers. You may have to give your address, your phone number, or meet at your home or at a public parking lot. Even when it seems like the process will be simple, you can’t verify the intentions of the buyer, as some will try to scam you with false payment, many will take pictures or inspect the car and will never return, and there are cases, especially as the condition of the vehicle deteriorates, where a buyer later accuses you of not being upfront, even when you were selling the car as-is.
Licensed auto recyclers, on the other hand, can provide the consumer with regulated services. Additionally, many offer cash or electronic transfer payments at the time of purchase. Their drivers are experienced and protected with insurance. Of the factors listed above, they provide security and minimize risk for the consumer. No need to concern yourself with personal safety or fraud.
5. You Might Violate Platform Rules Without Knowing
All selling platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji, have terms and conditions dictating what you can sell. Some even restrict vehicles from having salvage titles, missing parts, or lost ownership documents. If your junk car is a salvage title, missing parts for resale, or has lost ownership documents, there is a chance your listing may be deleted without notice. Further, you run a risk of being flagged by users as an adverse listing, whether they are misunderstanding your listing or think you are misleading them.
If you are trying to sell parts or a vehicle that has been stripped, the platform may think you are contravening their terms, especially if you haven’t followed the auto sale terms. Professional auto buyers do not sell vehicles via marketplace listings. They will accept vehicles no matter their condition, and they will give you offers using direct communication. There is less chance you will contravene terms or have any other restrictions arise from the platform. This creates less hassle and a more streamlined sale.
Conclusion
Selling a used car online can work, but for junk vehicles, it’s usually more stress than it’s worth. Price haggling, paperwork confusion, safety concerns, and unreliable buyers make the process frustrating and often unprofitable.
Greenway Auto Recycling makes it simple. We handle all the paperwork, offer fair rates based on current scrap metal prices, and provide fast, secure scrap car removal anywhere in Ontario. Get safe, prompt pickup, and cash in your hand within minutes — no hassles, no risks.
Call us today at (416) 783-9026 or request a free quote online to turn your scrap car into cash fast.
