If you have an unregistered vehicle in WA and you’re looking for ways to dispose of it, then you’ve likely encountered many difficulties trying to find a private buyer for your unregistered vehicle. These could include concerns from potential buyers about buying an unregistered vehicle and the complexity of transferring ownership to them.

The good news is that you can sell your unregistered vehicle to an auto wrecking yard in WA — this is typically one of the quickest and simplest methods to get cash for your unregistered vehicle.

In this article, we will explain how to sell your unregistered vehicle to an auto wreckers in Perth, what documents are required, and why this is usually the best option.

What Is an Unregistered Car in WA?
An unregistered vehicle is a vehicle that does not currently have a valid registration with the Department of Transport (DoT). There are many reasons why your vehicle may no longer be registered, including the following:

Registration has expired and has not been renewed;
The vehicle has been off the road/on hold for an extended period;
The vehicle has been written off or damaged;
The registration has been cancelled due to unpaid fees;
The vehicle has been rejected at pass/fail inspections or roadworthiness tests.

Once a vehicle has been unregistered, it can no longer be operated on public roads without approval from DoT in the form of a permit.

Why Auto Wreckers Are the Best Option for Unregistered Cars
Property that is normally registered does need to have valid registration for you to get paid for it, but for car wreckers this is not as important. Car wrecking companies constantly assess the condition of all of their cars based off of the following factors:

The resellable value of the parts
The weight of the scrap metal
The components that can be reused
The overall condition of the vehicle
As you can see, having a registered vehicle or not will not affect the ability to sell it; therefore, whether or not it has a registration will not affect whether or not you will get paid for it either.

What Documents Do You Need to Sell an Unregistered Car in WA?
There are numerous ways to sell your vehicle privately, and one being private sales requires the buyer and/or seller to obtain all of the necessary inspections, permits, advertising, and wait for the court to process the sale. With an auto wrecker you will not face many of these obstacles and are able to sell your car to the wrecker with ease.

The main advantages of selling to a wrecker compared to a private sale would be:

1. There is no requirement to be registered to sell; whether or not the car has a registration is irrelevant.

2. Car wreckers will provide you with free car removal; you do not need to pay for a transport and do not need to obtain a permit.

3. You will receive cash the moment the vehicle is picked up.

4. You can sell your car in any condition; whether it is in running condition, has been in an accident, it is old, rusted or non-running, you can sell it to a wrecker.

5. Wreckers follow all of WA regulations in disposing of vehicles in an environmentally responsible manner through the disassembly and recycling of the wrecked vehicle.

How Much Can You Get For an Unregistered Vehicle?
In WA, the value of an unregistered car will depend on many different factors. Some of these factors include:

Make/Model
Age/Condition
Part availability
Current Scrap Metal Prices
Complete or incomplete vehicle
You may find a vehicle that no longer runs may also sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars based on the availability of the parts as well as the recyclable materials in the vehicle.

Step-by-Step: The Process
If you decide to sell your unregistered vehicle to an auto wrecker in WA, you will find it is simple. The following is the process for selling an unregistered vehicle to a car wrecker:

1. Request a quote – You will need to provide a description of the vehicle to the auto wrecker service through either their website or on the phone.

2. Receive Instant Offer – The auto wrecker service will “immediately” provide you with a cash price offer, typically referred to as a “no obligation cash offer”.

3. Book Free Car Removal – You can choose the most convenient pickup time to have your vehicle picked up.

4. Get Paid When Vehicle is Picked Up – You will be paid cash (or via instant bank transfer) on the day your vehicle is picked up.

5. Vehicle is recycled in a responsible manner – The vehicle will be removed, dismantled and recycled in accordance with WA environmental laws.

Can You Sell an Unregistered Car Without Plates in WA?
Yes. You can sell your unregistered vehicle to a wrecker who will buy it even if it does not have plates on it. Plates usually have been returned to the Western Australia Department of Transport or surrendered before the time of registration cancellation.

If you’re not sure, a licensed wrecker should guide you through the process.

Is It Legal to Sell an Unregistered Car in WA?
Yes. A car can be sold in WA without showing that it has no current registration as long as:

You own the vehicle legally
The sale is done legally through documentation
The vehicle has been collected legally (not driven on the road)
Licensed wreckers will make sure these regulations and procedures are adhered to for the entire process.

Final Thoughts
If your unregistered vehicle is causing you stress, then it is usually better to sell privately as opposed to using a wrecker. Auto wreckers offer a fast, legal, and hassle-free way to dispose of your vehicle for cash with no need for registration of that vehicle.

Auto wreckers in Perth and throughout WA will provide you with an alternative solution for getting rid of your vehicle regardless of whether it is old, damaged, written off or unwanted. This means saving you both time, money and effort.