Sell your car whole if you want fast cash with minimal effort. Part it out if you have time, tools, and mechanical knowledge to remove and sell components separately. Parting out can yield 2 to 3 times more money, but it takes weeks or months and requires work.
Sell whole when:
- You need money quickly
- You lack tools or mechanical skills
- You have no space to store a disassembled car
- The car has few valuable parts
Part out when:
- The car has high-demand parts (catalytic converter, infotainment system, body panels)
- You have time to list, sell, and ship parts
- You know how to remove components without damaging them
- You have space to work and store inventory
Parting out works best on popular vehicles with parts that sell quickly. A wrecked Honda Civic or Ford F-150 has a ready market for doors, engines, transmissions, and electronics. An obscure import may sit unsold.
After removing valuable parts, you still need to dispose of the shell. Junk car buyers and scrap yards will purchase what remains for its metal value. Check current scrap car prices to estimate what the body is worth.
