How Salvage Yards Calculate the Actual Cash Value of a Junk Car

Posted on February 7, 2023 by gcsjunk

Are you looking to sell your junk car? If so, it’s important to understand how salvage yards calculate the actual cash value (ACV) of a junk car. Junk cars can be worth anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars depending on their condition and market value. Knowing how much your junk car is actually worth will help you get the best deal when selling it to a junkyard or private buyer.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what factors determine the actual cash value of a scrap vehicle, plus provide tips for getting the most out of your junk car sale.

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Calculating Actual Cash Value (ACV)

One of the main factors that junk car buyers consider when determining the actual cash value is the year, make, and model of your vehicle. Depending on the age, condition, and popularity of your car, it could be worth more or less than other vehicles. Additionally, its current market value will also affect how much you can get for it. A vehicle that is in high demand will likely fetch a higher price than one that is less popular.

Another factor that many Louisville junk car buyers look at is the condition of your vehicle. If it’s still running and in good shape, you may be able to get more for it than if it’s not running or has major structural damage. The presence of any aftermarket features, such as a new transmission or upgraded stereo system, will also increase the actual cash value.

Finally, junk car buyers may also take into account any missing parts when calculating the actual cash value. Depending on the part, it could cost more to replace it than what’s offered by the buyer, so be sure to check what parts are missing before selling your junk car.

Consider the Various Factors That Impact ACV

The actual cash value of a junk car can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as its year, make and model, condition, current market value, and any aftermarket features or missing parts. Knowing how much your vehicle is worth will help you get the best possible deal when selling it to a junk car buyer in Louisville. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to maximize the value of your sale and get the most out of your junk car.

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Are There Precious Metals in Junk Cars?

Posted on August 9, 2022 by gcsjunk

You can expect to find steel, iron, and even copper in the entirety of a vehicle. But would you expect to find precious metals like gold or silver? Well, you should! All motorized commodities contain some degree of precious metal their design. Continue below to learn which precious metals are more likely to be included in the manufacturing of a vehicle, plus how you can make the most money by selling your junk car in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Junk Car Precious Metals

The most common precious metals in cars are platinum, palladium, gold, and sometimes silver. The quantity and type of precious metal in your junk car will depend on several factors, namely the make and model, but also the current condition.

Silver

Silver can be found in car batteries and circuit boards. Silver-oxide batteries are used in military fleet vehicles, so it is unlikely that your junk car has precious metal in its battery. As for electronic circuit boards, newer model vehicles contain traces of silver, which can be recycled and repurposed into new commodities.

Gold

As just mentioned, automotive computers operate on electronic circuit boards that contain silver, but these circuit boards also contain gold-plated fingers. Newer model vehicles that have onboard computerized systems like GPS, navigation, stereo, Bluetooth, and even engine modules will contain these gold-plated components. Gold can also be found in car airbags, although only in trace amounts.

Platinum

Platinum isn’t just for jewelry. It is very likely that your personal vehicle contains platinum. All cars and trucks manufactured within the last three decades have a catalytic converter, which is an automotive part that filters toxic emissions generated by burning fuel. Within a catalytic converter is the catalyst, which is typically lined with platinum.

Palladium

Palladium is a metal you might’ve seen in a recent superhero movie or read in your favorite comic books. That is because palladium is a rare-occurring, exotic metal that is high in economic value, making it perfect for fantasy story lines. But the truth is, palladium is also used in the manufacturing of common automotive parts like catalytic converters. Palladium alloy made with platinum and rhodium is often used as a catalyst lining, serving as cost-effective alternative to former manufacturing methods for catalytic converters.

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Which Side is My Gas Cap On?

Posted on January 24, 2022 by gcsjunk

The question of gas cap locations has been floating around for generations. Not sure which side of the car your gas cap is on right now? Is it on your side? Is it on the passenger side? Continue below to learn how to instantly identify which side your gas cap is on without even getting out of your car, plus some industry facts on why gas cap sides are different among vehicles.

Junk Car Disposal Louisville KY 502-804-5605 — This Fuel Icon Indicates a Left-Side Gas Cap

The Frustrating Gas Cap Scenario

We’ve all been there before; whether you’ve just purchased a new vehicle, borrowing someone’s car, or driving a rental, at some point in your driving career you have surely pulled up to the gas station only to instantly remember you have no idea which side the gas. Fortunately, there is an instant hack on how to figure out which side the gas cap is located on a vehicle without even getting out of the car.

Gas Cap Locations are Labeled on the Dashboard

Okay, so you pull up to the gas station and you can’t remember which side the gas. There is an easy trick to figure this out without leaving your car seat. Simply take a look at the dashboard. Although the location can differ, the gas cap location is typically indicated in the fuel gauge.

You should see an arrow or dot next to the fuel tank icon on your dashboard. This is the side your gas cap is on.

Why Gas Cap Sides Can Be Different

You may notice that throughout your life, you’ve had cars with gas caps on the left side and on the right side. Why is this? Well, the location of the gas cap really depends on where the car comes from, namely which manufacturer produces the vehicle.

For instance, Japanese cars like Toyota and Mitsubishi typically place their gas caps on the left side of the vehicle. Japan a left-hand traffic country, so having the gas cap on the left side of the vehicle comes naturally to their culture. In countries with right side driving traffic, having the gas cap on the left side can be beneficial as well. Many car owners prefer the gas cap on the driver’s side.

Additionally, automakers will place gas caps on either side of the vehicle depending on how the vehicle is designed internally. Sometimes certain parts are larger or smaller, and the fuel tank fits better on the left side rather than the right side, or vice versa. In another example, domestic automakers like Chevy and Ford like to place their gas caps on the right side of the car.

Lastly, there are local, state, and federal legal requirements denoting the specifications of fuel tank location in a vehicle. Automakers must follow these regulations to ensure that the location of the fuel tank cannot cause foreseeable ignitions. This is why gas caps are never located in the back of the vehicle. In the case of the collision, it could cause the entire car to ignite into flames.

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A DIY Guide for Car Radiator Flushing

Posted on September 25, 2020 by gcsjunk

Once you turn the key, start your vehicle’s ignition, and then begin to drive, your internal combustion engine starts producing a substantial amount of heat. In order to remove this heat and prevent your engine from overheating, a functional radiator is needed. A car radiator uses thermal heat exchange to eliminate high temperatures and heat to keep a vehicle’s engine in working condition. This means that larger vehicles require larger radiators to facilitate the same effect.

For radiators to be effective and stay cool, they must be cleaned regularly by means of flushing. Solid deposits, residues, and other sediment buildup can cause a cooling system to clog or fail entirely. Flushing a car radiator is one of the most important routine maintenance jobs and must be done to keep vehicles operational over time. Fortunately, it can be done on your own. It’s also quick and inexpensive to do.

Continue reading to learn some tips that can help you when it comes time to flush your car radiator.

Start By Acquiring the Correct Supplies

The first thing to do when it comes to flushing a car radiator is gather up all the necessary supplies and materials. It is never a fun situation to get halfway through your project, only to discover you are missing a key element. Going back to the store could pose a problem; especially if the radiator has already been drained. Ideal provisions for radiator flushing jobs include a funnel, cloth rag, coolant, radiator flush solution, Phillips screwdriver or wrench, separate container for old coolant, and extra rags for accidents and spills. When you have determined that all your supplies are in place, you can begin the process of flushing the radiator.

How to Flush Your Car’s Radiator:

Before you remove the radiator cap, be sure the car engine is COMPLETELY cool; otherwise you run the risk of spilling hot coolant on yourself. And this really burns!

Next, flush the used coolant out of the radiator. Do this by locating the radiator drain plug. It is typically located at the bottom of the radiator. If you have trouble finding it, refer to your owners’ manual or look online for pictures and instructional videos. You can also contact a professional mechanic for over-the-phone assistance.

Once you find the drain plug, place the container for old coolant under the drain and open it up. Let the old coolant flow out for a few minutes; if it seems to be moving slow, check to see if the plug is all the way open.

When the radiator is empty, replace the drain plug and open the radiator cap.

Next, pour the flush cleaning solution inside. Fill the remaining space inside the radiator with room temperature water.

Now you are ready to replace the radiator cap; just be sure it is screwed on tight. It is possible for caps to fall off, which allows coolant to escape from the radiator.

Let the car engine run until it reaches its normal driving temperature. Then turn it off and let it cool completely.

Once the car engine is cool again, you are ready to flush the solution from the radiator and add fresh clean coolant. Use the same emptying process as before.

Use a 50/50 solution of coolant and water to get optimal and safe results. You can find pre-mixed coolants at your local auto store. This is sometimes more convenient.

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The Kentucky Scrap Metal Buyer to Choose

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell a junk car in Louisville, Kentucky. We are your easiest solution to getting rid of junk and bulking up your wallet, all at the same time! Our experienced and knowledgeable junk car buyers purchase all motor vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, or condition. They don’t even have to run or have all their parts! Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, we also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky. Call 502-804-5605 to get your junk car cash, today.