Should I trade in or scrap my old car?

Trade-ins work when you're purchasing a new vehicle. If your van doesn't run, I doubt the dealer is going to want to deal with it, so scrap seems your best bet.

Your van definitely has some scrap value. Call local auto wreckers to see what they would offer, and ask them about towing. We had a pickup truck that was rotting away but did run, and I think we got $500-800 for it. The scrapper deducted $200 for the cost of towing as it was out in the bush. We could have driven it but it hadn't been insured for a while so it wasn't worth the bother.

We just learned that a family member's car is due for scrap - It's 18 years old and the rust has taken it's toll. It runs and is driveable, so we'll drive it to the scrap yard and see if we can get a couple hundred for it.

The last option is donation - there are charities that will take the vehicle and issue a tax receipt. This is the "easiest" option as you don't have to bother with trying to find the maximum value, it's just gone.

I haven't seen a "push pull or drag your junker in" ad for a car dealership in years now. They will likely give you more of a discount for not bringing something like that in. A couple hundred from a junkyard, or a possible couple thousand tax receipt from kidney car probably works out to around the same in your pocket.

Kijiji $500 as is

Really? Scrappers aren’t paying for unwanted cars now?

We got $300 for a broken down 1999 dodge caravan lol

if u have the space and time, search parts that are sellable(window motors, lights, trim, etc) dismantle it, list it on ebay/kijiji. scrap the rest

i gave my car to my mechanic for credit.

djeffery wrote: ↑ I haven't seen a "push pull or drag your junker in" ad for a car dealership in years now.

Ha yeah remember those ads from the 80s, 90s--there were common! Today they don't have such stuff aside from some once-in-a-blue moon events at places. Maybe it happens more in the US but definitely not here. Most stealers won't even touch a car that is 10+ years old, and cars that are more than 6-7 yrs old even if they give you trade value they don't keep those on their own lots they just send them off to auction for whatever they can get for them. Same thing goes for cars which were in heavy accidents, don't run, or have replaced major components like engines--they either won't take them at all or just send them to auction after giving you bottom-dollar for them.

djeffery wrote: ↑They will likely give you more of a discount for not bringing something like that in.

pretty much.

CanadianConsumerYEG wrote: ↑ Kijiji $500 as is

Can you explain what you mean by this?

Thatdealguy wrote: ↑ I have an old van that doesn't work anymore. I want to scrap it or trade it in but not sure which one is better.

I remembered that I can get some cash back by scrapping my car but I called several of them and they said no.

Forget trading it in. If you can sell it privately that's your best bet. If it runs (I am not sure what you mean when you say doesn't work any more), you might want to risk driving it until the engine or transmission seizes. You'll be stuck with paying the towing charges unless you have BCAA or CT Roadside Assistance. I would look into to see how much the Kidney Foundation or other charitable organizations will offer for cars.

sheyenne wrote: ↑ Can you explain what you mean by this?

Sell the vehicle privately using kijiji. List price of $500. "As is" is short for "as it is" which means there is no warranty as to safety or function. What you see is what you get.

Somebody will buy it cheaply to use as a doner vehicle for various parts or fix it themselves.

ES_Revenge wrote: ↑ Most stealers won't even touch a car that is 10+ years old

So my vehicle is "worthless". Not to me.
Interestingly i got several calls from Toyota offering me premium trade in value for my vehicle, as if i'm interested in a marketing gimmick.

Quentin5 wrote: ↑ Interestingly i got several calls from Toyota offering me premium trade in value for my vehicle, as if i'm interested in a marketing gimmick.

Toyota is still the number one brand in Canada.

ROYinTO wrote: ↑ Sell the vehicle privately using kijiji. List price of $500. "As is" is short for "as it is" which means there is no warranty as to safety or function. What you see is what you get.

Somebody will buy it cheaply to use as a doner vehicle for various parts or fix it themselves.

For a van especially if it's a rusty barely working Dodge Caravan? Assuming it's street value is $500 might be a stretch. In BC, most people prefer Craigslist over Kijji.

sheyenne wrote: ↑ Toyota is still the number one brand in Canada.

Even then i'm not a fan of their aggressive marketing.
I may buy another Toyota someday, but they aren't going to up my schedule this way.

Though at this rate my next vehicle will be a Tesla.

To the OP: You say it doesn't work. Does that mean that it's not driveable?

sheyenne wrote: ↑ Toyota is still the number one brand in Canada.

Perhaps but those calls/mail come from every brand's dealerships - they want to sell you a new car. There is no new car dealership that truly wants a 10 year old car (yes, there are exceptions but they are few and far between). Oh, they'll give you a trade-in price for your old car but that price will most likely reflect what they think they will get out of it at an auction - which is likely where it's heading.

sheyenne wrote: ↑ Toyota is still the number one brand in Canada.

By what measure? Definetly not in number of vehicles sold.

sheyenne wrote: ↑ For a van especially if it's a rusty barely working Dodge Caravan? Assuming it's street value is $500 might be a stretch. In BC, most people prefer Craigslist over Kijji.

No further comments. You asked for an explanation not justification.

i got an offer for 1000 for my 2007 Hyundai suv. The car still run good. They have service all over facebook market place and kijiji that will come and pickup your car. I haven't decided yet. The catalytic converter worth quite a bit of money. A few hundred at least and also all the precious metal and steel.