What is a Damaged Car?

This guide explains what a damaged car is, all the synonyms of a damaged car, and takes an in-depth look at what is a damaged car, its prices, removal, buyers, laws, and more.

CONTENTS

Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

What is The Definition of a Damaged Car?

A damaged car is a vehicle that has been in a collision, fire, flood, natural disaster, or other calamity. There are varying degrees of damaged vehicles, including minor cosmetic damage, minor body damage, major body deformation with minor mechanical failure, or major body damage coupled with major mechanical failure. Many deformed vehicles with only minor structural or mechanical damage are superficially repaired so that the vehicle can continue to be driven. This is especially true when the incident damaging the vehicle was not covered by insurance and the vehicle owner cannot afford to repair or replace the vehicle.

Damaged vehicles can be any year, make, or model. Late model vehicles with most of their working parts are in high demand, and these vehicles can bring more cash for damaged cars. The used auto parts industry that is supported by damaged cars is worth $6.5 billion in 2023 according to International Business Information Systems, a global market data and market research firm.

The mechanical health of damaged cars varies considerably depending on how the vehicle was ruined. Cars damaged by flood could be completely mechanically inoperable, with no parts salvageable due to the silt, debris, and other pollution carried by flood waters into the crevices of the mechanical parts of the vehicle. Cars damaged by fire should not be repaired and are only good for scrap. Cars damaged in vehicle accidents could be in very good mechanical condition but have enough body damage that the cost of repair cannot be justified. Often when vehicles care damaged in a car accident and the vehicle owner did not have full coverage or collision insurance the vehicles continue to be driven until they cannot pass inspection for registration renewal or they break down completely.

Synonyms of Damaged Cars

There are many names that could be used for damaged cars depending on their condition and type of junk car. Other names commonly used for damaged cars include wrecked car, scrap car, salvage car, beater car, decrepit car, inoperable car, incomplete car, totaled car, and end-of-life car. Slang words for damaged cars include clunker, junker, and jalopy.

An In-Depth Look at Damaged Cars

A damaged car is a junk car that has been physically harmed or marred in some way. Most damaged vehicles are the result of being wrecked, flooded, burned, stripped, or otherwise destroyed. A damaged car is a motor vehicle that has sustained some type of internal or external damage, usually as a result of a car accident, fire, natural disaster, or other incident. Some damaged cars are sent to salvage yards immediately, while others are retained and driven to the point that they are no longer safely operable.

Damaged cars can also be called totaled cars or salvage cars when the ruined car is declared a total loss by a car insurance company. Not all damaged vehicles are covered by car insurance. Cars damaged in natural disasters, floods, or fires are only covered by insurance when one has collision coverage. Many people on a budget that own their vehicles outright do not have collision coverage as a way to cut monthly costs. This results in many damaged vehicles being driven on the roads until they break down.

Damaged vehicles come in a variety of conditions including crashed in a vehicle accident, flooded by a hurricane, crushed by a tree limb, or as a result of vandalism. Most damaged vehicles have at least one large dent, door dings, scratches, and at least the beginning signs of surface rust. Cars that have been in major weather events or that have been in serious collisions may have more severe damage such as missing panels or bent frames. Damaged cars may also have bent wheels, flat tires, and broken windows. Vehicles damaged by flood may not have any visible damage to the casual observer but the internal parts could be locked up, frozen, bound up, or otherwise unable to be repaired.

There is some overlap between the junk car industry and the collision repair industry because many junkyards use their in-house resources and labor to rebuild salvage cars that have been damaged in car accidents that have mostly working parts. This overlap makes both industry sizes important. The automotive collision repair market size is $35 billion as of 2020 per Grandview Research. Another market research firm, imarc, reported that the automotive recycling industry was worth $67 billion as of the end of 2021. This shows that more damaged cars are being recycled than repaired and returned to the roads.

How does a car become a Damaged Car?

There are 7 ways a car becomes a damaged car.

Cars damaged in car accidents. Most damaged cars are the result of car accidents and fender benders, although sometimes only one vehicle is involved. About 8.8% of the population has had a car accident in the last 3 to 5 years per Insurify. Assuming property damage of at least one vehicle per accident, this means that at least 20,081,600 vehicles are damaged cars from accidents per year.
Flood damaged cars. Cars can sustain flood damage through weather events such as hurricanes or torrential storms, or by someone driving through a flooded street or intersection. Most of these damaged cars are flooded with storm water filled with silt, debris, and other gunk that sinks into the crevices of mechanical parts and freezes them up so that they cannot be operated or repaired. Damaged cars that have been flooded should not be repaired because they can never again be considered safe or reliable. However, Car Fax reports that there could be as many as 590,000 flood damaged vehicles being driven on the roads today.
Cars damaged in vehicle fires. There are not that many vehicle fires in the United States today thanks to advanced tech and safety features and mechanical designs. Vehicle fires can still occur as a result of collision or gross mechanical failure. According to Statista there were 174,000 highway vehicle fires reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Cars damaged in vehicle fires are not good for anything other than scrap.
Cars damaged in natural disasters. There are many types of damage that can appear on a vehicle as a result of natural disasters. Natural disasters include everything from earthquakes to thunderstorms to flash floods. A tree limb falling on your vehicle during high winds also falls under weather related damages to cars.
Damaged cars as a result of vandalism. Vandalism can damage cars in numerous ways depending on the actions taken by the criminals. These damaged cars could sustain fire damage, be misshapen from assault with blunt weapons, or take major body damage in a hit and run accident. Damage to cars is the second most common type of property damage caused by vandalism each year.
Cars damaged by disuse. Cars can be damaged just by leaving them to sit exposed to the elements or other harsh environments. Vehicles found in fields and barns throughout America are a testament to the damage that can occur when vehicles are left to rot. Sometimes these vehicles or parts of them are salvageable, but often the parts are too corroded to be of much use.
Cars damaged by extreme wear and tear. All cars wear out eventually, but when a vehicle is not properly cared for it becomes damaged over time. Damaged cars result when vehicle maintenance is consistently ignored or delayed due to budgetary concerns. According to a study done by industry leader AAA, about one third of Americans cannot afford or otherwise do not pay for routine maintenance or timely repairs. As maintenance, repairs, and minor collision damage racks up the vehicle eventually becomes a completely damaged car that needs to be recycled.

Damaged cars in each of these scenarios are typically covered by comprehensive or collision car insurance. In these cases the damaged cars are either repaired or totaled by the insurance company and disposed of as salvage cars. However, many people do not have this coverage. About 26% of licensed drivers do not have collision coverage, and 22% of drivers do not have comprehensive coverage. These drivers are more likely to continue driving damaged cars until they have no choice but to get rid of it in exchange for a newer, safer, and more reliable vehicle.

What are common characteristics of Damaged Cars?

There are 8 characteristics that are found on damaged cars depending on how they were destroyed.

Scratches and door dings are seen on almost all junk cars but are more severe in damaged cars.
Multiple dents of varying sizes are present on almost all damaged cars, regardless of how they became damaged.
Suspension failures are common in cars damaged in a car accident, particularly those vehicles that went over a median, curb, or other object.
Cracking paint and surface rust are most common on old vehicles, cars driven long after they were damaged, cars in natural disasters or car accidents, and cars damaged by neglect.
Wrecked radiators are common on cars damaged in a head-on collision and cracks in the radiator case may not be immediately apparent.
Bent frames are less common on late model cars but are seen in cars damaged in major car accidents or catastrophic events.
Sheered off or missing body panels are common in wrecked cars since car makers starting using plastic in car bodies.
Nonfunctional engines, transmissions, and other mechanical systems become damaged through neglect, delaying or skipping maintenance, or as a result of other damage.

Many damaged cars are still drivable, but that doesn’t mean they are safe. Have any damaged car evaluated by a licensed and reputable mechanic before driving damaged cars. The value of damaged cars is comparatively low to other junk cars, but the value is even further decreased when using a damaged car as a trade-in. Damaged cars with these 8 characteristics should be disposed of with a junk car buyer.

Are damaged cars junk cars?

Not all damaged cars are junk cars. Damaged cars could be repaired and returned to the roads even if they have sustained significant damage. Salvage yards repair damaged cars and resell them as rebuilt salvage cars for cheap. However, damaged cars always become junk cars within a short time due to the deterioration that naturally happens once damage has occurred.

What is a Damaged Car worth?

A damaged car’s worth varies greatly by many factors. The first factor that affects the worth of a damaged car is the year, make, and model of the vehicle. Late model vehicles are in higher demand than old cars.

The second factor that affects the value of damaged cars is the extent and type of damage the vehicle has sustained. Late model damaged cars with working valuable and in demand parts like engines and transmissions are worth more than flooded cars that are only good for scrap. Older cars with no demand for used parts are only good for scrap but contain more recyclable metals than late models.

The third factor that affects how much a damaged car is worth is how much of the vehicle can be salvaged or recycled. Not all damaged cars can be recycled normally. For example, cars that have significant penetrating rust on the body, frame, or mechanical components like engine and transmission do not have the same recyclable metal as vehicles without these defects. This is because the rust contaminates the steel, and those portions of the vehicle with penetrating rust go to landfills rather than being recycled. This significantly decreases the value of these damaged cars.

The fourth factor that affects how much damaged cars are worth is the current prices being paid for junk cars and scrap metal prices in the area. Junk car prices are affected by vehicle demand, which can change quickly and unexpectedly. Scrap metal prices can also vary depending on supply, demand, and economical and political climate. Damaged car and scrap metal prices vary by region, state, and county.

These are just a few of the factors that affect damaged car values. The criteria for appraising damaged cars is vast and complex. It is best to get several quotes from junk car buyers to determine the value of your damaged car rather than trying to determine the value on your own.

What are the price ranges of damaged cars?

The price ranges of damaged cars are vast and depend on the type and condition of the damaged vehicle. How much of what types of recyclable metals are in the vehicle as well as what if any parts are reusable and in demand affect the prices of damaged cars. T

What are the most valuable parts of damaged cars?

The most valuable parts of damaged cars are the engine, transmission, and catalytic converter. This is true whether the parts are damaged or not. The engine, transmission, and catalytic converter have the highest amounts of the most valuable metals of all car parts aside from the frame and body. The working parts on damaged cars may have less value depending on the demand for used car parts from that year, make, and model.

What are the most valuable scrap metals of damaged cars?

There are at least 10 scrap metals in high demand that add value to damaged cars including steel, aluminum, copper, lead, platinum, palladium, rhodium, magnesium, and titanium. The exact metals and how much scrap metal is in a damaged car depends on the vehicle’s year, make, and model. Vehicles with rust damage have less valuable scrap metals than other vehicles because any area touched by or close to rust cannot be recycled. Scrap metal prices vary greatly depending on political climate, economic conditions, simple supply and demand, and global factors such as exports.

What to do with a Damaged Car?

There are 3 things you can opt to do with a damaged car.

Junk the damaged car. Selling a damaged car to a junk car buyer is the easiest way to get rid of a damaged vehicle. Junking damaged cars is most profitable when the vehicle type is in high demand and the condition is such that at least some parts can be salvaged. Junking a flooded car or burned car is more difficult because often the vehicle’s recyclable materials are ruined to the point of not being viable.
Fix the damaged car. Some damaged cars can be fixed, but most of the time the expense isn’t worth it. When determining if you should spend the money to fix a damaged car, take into account how long the vehicle will remain running after the repair is made. It may not make sense to spend $3000 to fix a vehicle worth $6000 if it isn’t likely to last more than another year regardless. Some vehicle owners fix damaged cars for sentimental reasons.
Sell the damaged car. There may be a market to sell your damaged car to an individual depending on the make, model, and condition of the vehicle. Individuals working on salvage rebuilds, car restorations, or hobby mechanic projects buy damaged cars to salvage them before sending them on for recycling because it is much cheaper than buying the parts individually.
Donate the damaged car. Donating a damaged car to your favorite charity is a tempting prospect, but keep in mind that not all charities accept vehicle donations. Charities that do accept damaged car donations are likely to sell the cars they receive in bulk at auction which brings less cash for the charity. It is often better to sell the damaged car or contact a junk car buyer and give the cash you receive to the charity.

Continuing to drive a damaged car may be an option if it is still operable and able to be registered. However, damaged vehicles could have mechanical problems not immediately noticeable. Vehicles that have been damaged by flood, fire, or head-on collision could be very dangerous on the roads without the driver being aware. For this reason it is best to get rid of damaged cars so they can be salvaged, recycled, and disposed of properly.

Can I sell a damaged car with no title?

You may be able to sell a damaged car with no title depending on your state’s title laws. Damaged cars that have not been processed by an insurance company can usually be sold using alternative means, such as endorsing an application for duplicate title rather than the title itself for a valid transaction and transfer of ownership. A damaged car that still has a lien cannot be sold without a clear title or a lien release attached to the title on transfer to the junk car buyer. Damaged cars that have been processed by insurance and are waiting on a salvage title or salvage certificate cannot be sold until the salvage title has been fully processed.

Can I sell a damaged car without a registration?

Registration is unnecessary when selling a damaged car. To sell a damaged car without a registration is common because most states do not require or allow damaged vehicles to be registered or driven on public roads. When selling a damaged car without a title the registration can sometimes be used to prove ownership. Check with your local DMV for laws about when registration is required to sell damaged cars in your state.

Who buys damaged cars?

There are several people who buy damaged cars. The market for damaged cars depends on their year, make, model, and condition. Here are the most common places that buy damaged cars.

Junk car buyers. Junk car buyers like Junk Car Medics purchase passenger vehicles of any make, model, or condition. These damaged cars are then sold at auction or sent on to the next step in vehicle recycling. Junk Car Medics works with local junkyards, salvage yards, and vehicle recyclers to keep the economic benefits of the sale and recycling of the damaged car in the local community.
Junkyards that buy damaged cars. Damaged cars that have valuable and in-demand used parts are typically bought by junkyards. Some junkyards pull the parts and sell the used car parts online, but most junkyards are self-service salvage yards where individuals can go on the lot, locate the part they need, remove it from the damaged vehicle, and purchase it for use in their own repairs.
Salvage yards that buy damaged cars. Salvage yards do much more than sell used car parts. Most salvage yards also handle at least part of the vehicle recycling process. In addition, salvage yards often rebuild salvage vehicles. Damaged cars with a salvage title and mostly working parts are bought, repaired, and sold by salvage yards using in-house parts and labor to make the repairs more economical.
Auto dismantlers and vehicle recyclers. When a damaged car has no other value than as scrap due to the extent of the destruction auto dismantlers and vehicle recyclers are most likely to purchase the damaged vehicle. Junk Car Medics also works with local vehicle dismantlers and auto recyclers to ensure the best prices for even these low value damaged cars.
Individuals needing salvage cars. Individuals working on the repair or restoration of another vehicle may purchase damaged cars to salvage for used car parts. It is usually cheaper to purchase a damaged vehicle with mostly working parts than to purchase each part from a junkyard individually.

Junk Car Medics stands out from other buyers of damaged cars because we make all of the above types of junk car buyers compete for your vehicle locally. This allows us to give the most cash for damaged cars as well as ensure that the vehicle goes to the appropriate entity based on its condition and demand.

How to choose a damaged car buyer

There are many people that buy damaged cars and finding the right buyer for your damaged car requires a little bit of homework. To get the best deal for your damaged car and the easiest experience, follow these five steps to choose a damaged car buyer.

Locate damaged car buyers in your area. A simple Google search will turn up many junk car buyers that may be interested in your damaged car. Make a list of the most promising companies offering removal of damaged cars based on star rating and number of reviews. Too few reviews shows little experience while too many 5 star reviews indicate that they are solicited. Junk Car Medics has locations to buy damaged cars in all 50 states.
Look through the reviews for damaged car buyers. Online reviews are the best indicator of fair prices, excellent customer service, and a painless but rewarding experience selling damaged cars. Junk Car Medics has thousands of positive online reviews on Google, Yelp, Trust Pilot, and others.
Check the legitimacy and reputation of damaged car buyers. Look for evidence of the reputation of the damaged car buyer within the community and the industry as a whole. Look at their Better Business Bureau profile, check with your local Chamber of Commerce to make sure they comply with all licensing requirements, and check with the EPA to ensure the junk car facility follows regulations.
Get multiple quotes for your damaged car. Once you have narrowed down your list to 3 to 5 junk car buyers contact each of them for a free quote for your damaged cars. Some local junkyards, salvage yards, and wrecking yards do not offer online or instant cash offers for damaged cars. Junk Car Medics uses a proprietary system to generate quotes for damaged cars that is available online or via a representative by phone.
Compare prices and value of damaged car buyers. The best price for damaged cars is not always the best value. Make sure you look at all aspects of the removal and disposal of the damaged car when determining which is the best offer. Ask the junk car buyer if they assist with paperwork to sell damaged cars when the title is not available. The more services included the better the value. You should also look for hidden costs such as towing fees not included in the quoted appraisal.

Finding the right buyer for your damaged car is easy when you use Junk Car Medics. Our proprietary service stands out from other junk car buyers with our quick, easy, painless, and rewarding process for selling damaged cars.