3 Facts About Catalytic Converters You Did Not Know

Posted on October 14, 2021 by gcsjunk

Catalytic converters are one of the most important parts of a gas-powered automobile because they eliminate harmful exhaust emissions. They are designed to use catalyst particles to super-heat toxic hydrocarbons generated by the engine. So, without a properly functioning catalytic converter, your car will emit dangerous and toxic tailpipe emissions into the surrounding environment. For this reason alone, it is important to ensure your catalytic converter is in tip-top shape.

Never knew just how important a catalytic converter was? Well, continue reading to learn 3 more catalytic converter facts you did not know, including one that can make you richer!

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Catalytic Converter Facts

Catalytic Converters are Made of a Highly Valuable Precious Metal

Catalytic converters must be able to tolerate extremely high levels of heat. For this reason, they are embedded with precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, all of which retain physical and structural properties compatible with high heat transport and conduction. This metal composition makes catalytic converters extremely high in value. Precious metals are naturally occurring and rare, so they are quite expensive.

Catalytic Converters are Expensive to Replace

If your catalytic converter breaks down, it will likely not be qualified for repair. In most cases, catalytic converters must be replaced entirely. And this is very expensive. Many car owners are shocked to learn just how much it will cost them to replace a broken catalytic converter. As you recall, catalytic converters are made with precious metals like platinum and palladium, making them extremely expensive to make, let alone sell. So, you can see why they come with a high price tag.

You can expect to pay anywhere between $900 and $1,700 for new catalytic converter. This average cost breakdown can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle and can be even higher for luxury and exotic cars.

Another shock many drivers run into when they have a broken catalytic converter is being left with a totaled car. Because catalytic converters are so expensive, it is common for a car to be a total loss because the repair costs more than what the entire car is worth.

Catalytic Converters Can Be Sold for Cash at a Metal Recycling Center

If you have a broken catalytic converter that needs to be replaced, you won’t have to flinch at the price and labor of a new one. You can sell an old, used, or broken catalytic converter for cash on the spot to most local metal recycling center or cash for cars company in Louisville. Because catalytic converters are made with highly valuable metals that can be 100% recycled and repurposed, they never lose scrap value.

Are you looking to sell a bunch of old auto parts or an entire totaled car for cash in Indiana? Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to speak with a trusted Louisville junk car buyer for details on how to get started! We offer free junk car removal and accept all old or broken auto parts!

4 Things Auto Mechanics Do Not Want Drivers to Know

Posted on July 22, 2021 by gcsjunk

When it comes to auto repair, it is vital that you do your research and choose an automotive shop with trusted client reviews and a long-established reputation within the community. Otherwise, you could end up at an auto garage operated by unethical mechanics who don’t want you to know certain things about car care; things that put money in their pockets and take money out of yours.

In fact, continue reading to learn the top 4 things that mechanics do not want you to know because it costs them, not you. At the end of this blog, you will be better protected against price gouging and exaggerated service coaching the next time you take your car in for repair or routine service.

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What a Mechanic Might Not Want You to Know

❶ You don’t really need a car battery replacement.

Although many mechanics will suggest that a driver’s car battery has completely died and they need a new one, this is often untrue. In most cases, the reason why a car is having recurrent battery issues has to do with the wires that are connected to the battery rather than the battery itself. These wires can become corroded or soiled with buildup over time, thus causing a weaker transfer of power to the battery.

❷ You can probably fix your check in light problem yourself.

When your check engine light comes on, you typically panic. Mostly because this illuminated light can signify all sorts of different problems within the vehicle, from very minor to very severe. However, what your mechanic doesn’t want you to know is that the majority of the time, check engine lights illuminate simply because the gas cap is loose. Try tightening your gas cap before calling your local auto repair shop when your check engine light comes on.

❸ You don’t need an oil change just yet.

When you take your car into the auto shop, whether for routine service or for an acute auto repair, mechanics almost always recommend getting an oil change while there. You see, they will tell you that your oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles or so, but with new advancements in technology, you really don’t need an oil change till about 7,000 or 8,000 miles. For people who don’t drive very much or very far, an oil change every 10,000 miles this likely sufficient. So, save yourself 50 bucks and forgo the oil change option at the auto shop until your owner’s manual tells you it’s time.

❹ They didn’t rotate your tires like they said they would.

In the case of an unethical or immoral auto repair shop, it is very common for mechanics to charge $45-$50 for tire rotation service but never actually follow through with it. Since clients really can’t tell if tires have been rotated or not, they never even think to question it when I come to pick the car up. To overcome this challenge, bring Chuck with you the next time you take your car in for service. Mark each tire with the chalk so that when you come back to pick it up you know that the tires have actually been rotated.

Did you just pick up your car from the auto shop with a diagnosis of totaled? If so, contact GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell your junk car in Louisville Kentucky for cash on the spot. We provide free junk removal too!

YOU MIGHT ALSO READ:

Is My Car Totaled if the Airbag Deploys?
A DIY Guide for Car Radiator Flushing
How to Prevent Major Engine Repair or Replacement

What to Do With a Totaled Car if You Do Not Have Collision Coverage

Posted on January 25, 2021 by gcsjunk

So, you’ve just totaled your car, and now you are panicking because you do not have comprehensive, nor collision insurance coverage. But that is okay! There is still a viable option for you to earn back cash for your total loss vehicle so that you may apply it toward a new car purchase. Continue reading to learn what to do with a totaled car that was not coverage by comprehensive or collision coverage at the time of the accident.

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Totaled Cars and Total Loss Vehicles

A total loss vehicle is the same thing as a totaled car. It simply means that a vehicle so far damaged, it is not worth the cost of repair. But this is lamest terms. There are actually very specific formulas used by automotive insurance companies to measure the pre-crash, and post-accident depreciated value of a wrecked or damaged vehicle. Basically, a vehicle is deemed totaled by an insurance company if the vehicle is so damaged that the cost to repair it exceeds its pre-accident value, which is the value it would have been worth prior to the damage incurred.

For instance, if a 2005 F-150 truck has a pre-crash worth $7,000 prior to an accident, but the cost to repair the damages in the accident are higher than seven thousand dollars, the insurance carrier would strike it as a total loss, or totaled vehicle.

In another example, if a 2020 C-300 Mercedes Benz is valued at $53,000, but is driven into a lake, sinks to the bottom, and must be recovered by a towing crane service, you can bet that the whole car is a loss. In this case, the insurance company would deem it so.

More specifically, the cost to repair a vehicle must exceed 50% of the vehicle’s pre-crash value in order for the state to require an insurance company to label it a total loss and issue it a salvaged title. Most states allow insurance companies to make this determination themselves, while some states set a specific law requiring insurance companies to follow the 50 percent total loss rule.

How to Earn Money Back for an Uninsured Totaled Car

If you had comprehensive or collision insurance coverage at the time of the accident, and your car is now totaled, your insurance company will issue you a check for the pre-crash value, minus your particular deductible. So, if your deductible is $1,500 and the precrash value is seven thousand dollars, you can expect the insurance company to pay you $5,500 in total. If you choose to keep your totaled car, the insurance company will deduct the scrap value as well, paying you out even less.

If you did not have any insurance coverage, or only liability insurance coverage, at the time of the accident, you will not be making a claim for compensation; that is, unless the accident was someone else’s fault, in which case, you could sue their insurance for your damages. So, for those who have wrecked their cars beyond repair, and have no insurance money coming in, what can they do? The answer is to sell a totaled vehicle to an auto salvage yard for an instant cash return. You can get paid the scrap value of your vehicle.

Where to Get Paid Instant Cash for Your Totaled Car in Kentucky

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell a totaled car in Kentucky for instant cash on the spot. We accept all make and model vehicles, regardless of age or condition! There is never a middleman, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. Furthermore, we will dispose of your vehicle according to all Kentucky EPA regulations. You can rest assured that your car will not have a negative impact on our environment. We also offer free towing haul away!

Pertinent FAQS About the Worth of a Junk Car

Posted on December 30, 2019 by gcsjunk

If you want to sell a junk car, your first thought is likely regarding the limits to the amount of profit you can make. The truth is, the value of a junk car is dependent on several factors, some of which are unique to the vehicle itself, while others are ever-changing and never constant. To help better understand how much profitability your junk car has to offer, continue below and review some of the most frequently asked questions about the worth of salvaged cars.

What Influences the Worth of a Junk Car?

The most influential factors that determine how much a junk car is worth include the current market value for the vehicle, the make and model of the vehicle, the condition of the vehicle, how much repair it will take to get the car running again, and the location of the vehicle. However, the number one factor that influences how much a salvaged car is worth is the current metal market. The market is the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to the value of a junk car. Along with the current price of metal on the market, other factors, such as metal demand, import/export trade tariffs, the strength of the U.S. dollar, the strength of the Canadian dollar, and business overhead costs, all affect how much you can get for a junk car. Additional factors can include natural disasters, elections, political events, wars, and the general condition of the global economy.

Can I Sell a Junk Car With No Title?

A vehicle with a title is worth more because of the potential to resell, however, you do not necessarily need one to sell a car, especially if you are doing business with a scrap yard or junk car buying company. Although you can sell a junk car without a title, you will still need to provide alternative documentation to prove ownership of the vehicle. This might include the registration, insurance policy, or similar legal documents. You can also choose to replace a lost or stolen car title. See our blog, “How to Sell a Junk Car Without a Title” to learn where to get started.

How Much is a Catalytic Converter Worth?

Since catalytic converters are primarily manufactured from platinum, which is a highly-valuable precious metal, they are prized parts in a junk car. If a junk car is missing its catalytic converter for some reason, it will be appraised at a lower value than if it did have one. Catalytic converters also contain additional precious metals, like nickel, manganese, rhodium, palladium, and cerium. Depending on the type of catalytic converter, the values vary. Generally, their market values linger between $45 and $90, but can be as low as $8 and as high as $250 or more. See our blog, “Current Scrap Prices for Catalytic Converters” to view the market values from April of this year.

How Do I Sell a Junk Car?

The first step to selling a junk car is locating local buyers. Once you have a list of seemingly-trusted junk car buyers, begin calling each one and requesting a free quote. Some companies will require you to bring your vehicle in for an in-person evaluation, while other companies are equipped to provide virtually accurate estimations over the phone. From there, choose a Louisville junk car buyer that you feel offers the most cash and the best amenities, such as free pickup and towing. Just be sure to choose a company that will give you payment on the spot!

Who Will Pay the Most for Junk Cars in Louisville?

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell your junk car in Louisville and its surrounding areas. Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, we pay the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky, all in cash! Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! No title? No problem! Contact us today to request a free estimate.

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Is My Car Totaled if the Airbag Deploys?

Posted on October 29, 2019 by gcsjunk

Once an airbag has deployed, it is finished for good. It cannot be sewn, seared, cinched, or repaired in anyway. It would be like trying to re-light a match once its flame has been ignited and blown out. It is simply not possible, legal, nor safe. But this does not mean the vehicle is finished too.

Continue reading to learn why deployed airbag doesn’t always mean a vehicle is totaled, and when it does.

Car airbag has worked with a shallow depth of field

Airbag System Basics

An airbag system is one of the most vital parts of any car, truck, or vehicle. It is a single-use, one-time only, safety mechanism designed to provide a soft cushion in order to prevent subsequent ejection, serious injuries, and death during a car accident. An airbag-equipped vehicle has small electronics that work for the airbag system called crash sensors that “sense” when an accident or collision has occurred.

Once a vehicle’s crash sensors have detected stimuli that suggests an accident has happened, they send a message to the airbag control unit, which then sends a message to the inflator; then the bags fill with air and deploy instantly. Stimuli that crash sensors respond to include sudden stopping, pressure increases, significant impacts, and more. A small chemical charge causes a tiny explosion that causes the airbag to fill and deploy, and deploy as fast as it does. This is the main reason why they cannot be reused once they have deployed.

Average Cost of Airbag Replacement

Although airbags are not a full-proof or guaranteed method to saving lives in car accidents, they significantly increase the level of safety and security for passengers and driver’s alike. Air bags can cost anywhere from $250 to $1,000 or more, depending on the supplier, the make and model vehicle, and the type of airbag. Many junk car lots and auto salvage companies purchase and sell UNUSED airbags that have never been deployed for a fraction of the market or dealership costs; however, it is recommended by automotive specialists to purchase the proper airbag from a certified dealership for optimal safety and assurance.

A vehicle is not always totaled if the airbags have deployed. A vehicle usually has to be damaged more than 75% in order for it to be totaled. If you own a vehicle that is only worth a few thousand dollars, and the airbags deploy, this will most likely total your vehicle. On the other hand, if you drive a new car or truck, and the exterior damage is minimal, you may not have a totaled vehicle. It simply all depends on the details folks!

Get Trusted Advice from a Louisville Junk Car Buyer

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell a totaled car in Louisville and its surrounding areas. 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. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! Contact us today to request a free estimate!

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How to Get Paid for a Totaled Car

Posted on May 17, 2019 by gcsjunk

Whether or not a vehicle is deemed a total loss depends on both the extent of damage and the overall value of the vehicle. Without using any confusing insurance legalese, a total loss vehicle is one that cannot be repaired and operated, safely. Basically, if the cost to repair a damaged car exceeds the actual value of the car, then it is totaled, and thus, a total loss.

Now then, if this has happened to you, there is no need to worry. There are plenty of opportunities to get paid for your totaled car. Continue reading to learn the top two most promising methods of doing just that!

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Insurance

Your first option is to make a claim with your insurance carrier; that is, if the car is in fact, insured. In the case that you chalk your car up to the insurance company, you will likely receive a check for the current market value of your vehicle, minus depreciation rates and more. This will vary depending on the policy, carrier, vehicle model, and more.

An insurance adjuster will examine your car report once it is inspected by a mechanic, and determine how much your vehicle was worth before it was totaled. Of course, everyone’s insurance policies are different, so it is important to check firsthand with your carrier to learn the conditions and coverage of your policy. Collision may or may not be covered under yours.

No Insurance

For vehicles that are not insured or fully-covered under a policy, they can be sold, either privately or to a scrap yard. Local junk car buying companies are a good route to take since they pay cash on the spot and tend to haul away your car for free. Just be sure you choose a qualified and reputable business, and not one that is more the take-your-money and fly-by-the-night type.

Where to Get the Most for Junk Cars in Louisville

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 if you wish to sell a junk car for cash in Louisville and its surrounding areas. 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. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! Contact us today to request a free estimate!