How to Sell a Car for Parts: A Detailed Beginner's Guide 

Has your mechanic given the bad news that your car’s repair will cost more than the car's worth? Or maybe it failed its MOT test due to a long list of issues. 

When you’re in that situation, it’s tempting to just scrap it. The nearest scrapyard offers you £200, maybe less, and you take it. At that point, you just want the problem gone, don't you? 

But what if I tell you you’re leaving serious money on the table? Because even a car that’s way past its age contains individual parts worth considerably more than the price you’re getting from the scrap yard. 

The only thing you need to know is how to sell a car for parts. This article walks you through the steps of doing exactly that. 

But before we start with the steps, let’s see if you can actually do this legally.

 

Can I Sell a Car For Parts Legally? 

Yes, absolutely. 

Selling a car for parts in the UK is actually more common than you might think. 

And it makes sense, too. You won’t make as much money from hauling off your car to a scrapyard as you can by selling its components individually. The latter normally puts more money in your pocket. 

Just remember that you'll need to notify the DVLA once you've scrapped or dismantled your vehicle. I know that sounds like a hassle, and before you start worrying about forms and bureaucracy, the paperwork is actually quite straightforward. It's a simple process. Just follow the steps mentioned in the GOV.UK link we provided.

Before we discuss how to sell a car for parts, let’s talk about when to use this option.

 

Why People Sell a Car for Parts

The main reason is simply money. The parts can earn you more revenue than scrapping because scrapyards see your car as mostly a metal weight only.

Your car’s engine, gearbox, and a few body panels might still have a few years of life remaining. And selling them separately can easily double, if not triple, the amount you might get from the scrapyard.

Also, if you don’t take your car to the scrapyard yourself and have it disposed of by someone else or the scrapyard itself, there’ll be a disposal fee. It's a bit of a kick in the teeth, isn't it? I mean, who wants to pay someone to get rid of a car when you're barely getting anything for it in the first place?

However, some folks don’t do it for the maximum profit. They just need quick cash. So they simply pull off a few easy-to-remove parts and have money in hand within days.

There are also situations where cars become too costly to repair. Your car’s total worth could be around £1,500, and a mechanic could be quoting you £2,000.

So when you're facing repair costs higher than your car's value, parting it out is usually one of the most financially sensible options to choose.

 

Which Car Parts Sell Easily (and Make the Most Money)?

If selling a car for parts has started making sense to you, let’s tell you about the parts that are quickest and easiest to sell.

At the top of the list are heavy hitters like engines, gearboxes, ECUs, alternators, and turbochargers.

Getting these replaced by the original manufacturers with new parts requires hefty sums of money. So buyers are ready to settle for used parts in decent condition. 

A decent used engine can sell for around £500 to several thousand. For instance, E-Type Series I engines have jumped from £4,000-6,000 to £8,000-12,000 over five years. Genuine Weber 45 DCOE carburettors also command 167% more than reproductions.

Doors, wings, bumpers, bonnets, and headlights will also remain quick-to-sell as long as accidents and corrosion are commonplace.

A set of four quality alloy wheels can also bring in £200-600 easily.

Interior components of higher-end vehicles or models (leather seats, dashboards, steering wheels, etc) also have an audience.

To know more about what sells and for how much, check Ifndautoparts’ catalogue of around ~70,000 listings. All parts listed there are OEM and from UK breaker yards, dismantlers, and car owners. 
Our UK Used Automotive Parts Market Intelligence Report is also full of insights on what sells. Here’s a snippet from it of how much different parts are in demand vs their supply situation:

How to Sell a Car for Parts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now, the main question is, how to sell a car for parts? Look, if this is your first time, I get it. It feels like a big job. But trust me, it's less complicated than it seems once you know what you're doing.

Here’s how to actually do it.

 

Step 1: Assess Your Car and Identify Valuable Parts

Before anything, you need to take a stock of the components you’ve got. 

Your efforts should go into pulling apart only the components that are worth selling.

You should start your assessment from the major systems. For instance, pop the bonnet and check the overall condition of the engine, alternator, starter motor, radiator, etc. Your engine can earn you the biggest revenue out of these, so it should be working fine or at least turning over.

Also, take a walk around the exterior and note any body panels that aren't dented or scratched.

Next, check online marketplaces like Ifndautoparts or Facebook Marketplace to see what similar parts are selling for.

This research will tell you if a part can make you enough money to deserve removal. Don't worry if you're not sure what you're looking at yet. You'll get the hang of it as you go.

Just take your time comparing a few listings, and you'll start to see patterns.

 

Step 2: Remove Parts Safely or Hire a Professional 

To remove the parts by yourself, you’ll need the right tools and some mechanical knowledge. The toolkit should have: 

● Essential equipment like a socket set, ratchet wrenches, screwdrivers in various sizes, pliers, etc 

● A proper jack and jack stands 

● A cordless impact wrench for stubborn bolts 

● Safety gear (work gloves, safety glasses) 

With these tools and basic mechanical skills, most people can easily remove surface-level items. The difficult part is removing the under-the-hood components. 

You should be realistic about your skills here. There's no shame in admitting when something's beyond your comfort zone. If you think pulling an engine is out of your skillset, you may consider hiring a professional. But make sure professional removal costs you as little as possible. If it’s costing too much, maybe do the job yourself.

 

Step 3: Clean, Photograph, and Document Your Parts 

Buyers are extra skeptical online because they are seeing the parts through a screen. 

You can win their trust with high-quality pictures of the parts. I know it feels like extra faff, but decent photos are what separate parts that sell in days from parts that sit there for months. 

But first, ready the parts for the camera. 

Use an appropriate cleaning technique for each part. If it’s an engine, use degreaser oil. For body panels, you may use a damp cloth or soapy water. 

Next, find a spot with good light where your parts can pose for photographs. The background’s colour shouldn’t match your part’s colour. A black engine on a black background? Not a good idea. 

You don’t need a professional camera. But make sure your phone’s camera has a good result. If not, borrow a friend or family member’s phone if they have a phone with a decent camera. 

Don’t forget to take photos of the manufacturer's stamps or codes on the parts. 

If you tested electrical parts before removal, write it down. You’ll be able to command better prices if you don’t make the buyer assume whether a part works.

 

Step 4: Price Your Car Parts Fairly 

You’ll need to look at the following factors to decide a fair price: 

● Market reality 

● Part condition 

● Model and make 

● Location (shippable vs collection-only) 

● Removal expenses 

It’s better to look at sold items on platforms like eBay compared to active listings because some sellers are completely delusional about pricing. 

Look at a number of completed sales of similar parts, not just one or two. If several sellers have sold an item for similar prices, that’s the ballpark for your part. Getting the pricing exactly right is less important than you think. As long as you're in the right range, you'll find a buyer. 

The condition of a part includes both appearance and working. Buyers prioritize and are willing to pay more for tested and new looking parts. But avoid pricing parts too close to new parts, as that makes buyers question why they shouldn't just buy new with a warranty. 

Prices shouldn’t be too low either because they cause suspicion.

 

Step 5: Prepare for Packaging and Shipping 

Many buyers will want items posted. 

So make sure your packaging is damage-proof. 

You can wrap small parts in bubble wrap and place them in boxes with cushioning material to prevent movement. 

The boxes should also carry “FRAGILE” or "THIS SIDE UP" labels. But labels don’t guarantee proper handling, so focus on good packaging. 

Engines and other heavy items might require freight shipping. You’ll need pallets and specific crates, among other things. 

 

Where Can I Sell Car Parts? 

Having learnt how to sell car parts, you need to find buyers now. 

Your options are as follows for selling in the UK:

Online Auto Parts Platforms 

Google how to sell a car for parts online, and the results will be made up of these platforms mainly. 

These platforms are dedicated to car parts. They allow sellers to list their parts and buyers to buy them from you. 

But since they’re providing you a platform, they charge you listing fees. 

But Ifndautoparts isn’t like this. It has no listing fees at all. You’re charged only if and when your item sells, and that too is just 10% of your part’s price.

Ifndautoparts’ partnership with the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs will also work in your favor if you’re selling vintage parts.

Scrap Yard and Scrap Merchants (Fast but Low Payout)

The scrap yard option is for you if you’re wondering how to sell a car for parts near me the same day.

It’s the quickest option that also happens to pay the least. 

You’ll get between £100 and £500 for your entire vehicle.

They’ll pay you an even lesser amount if you’ve already removed valuable components from your car. 

If you decide to go with this option, make sure the scrap yard is an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF).

But what about scrap merchants? 

Well, you can get a slightly better deal from scrap merchants since they take out your car’s parts and sell them themselves. But it is still on the lower side.