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Incomplete Cars Versus Wrecked Cars — Understanding The Difference In Value

If you have a vehicle you are considering selling to a company that advertises cash for cars, you probably want the best price you can get. Some vehicles are more valuable than others because of their make and models. Others are more valuable due to their condition. Two of these conditions include incomplete cars versus wrecked cars, but what are the differences in their value? Here is some information to help you discern that.

What Is a Wrecked Car?

Most people are familiar with wrecked cars. These are cars that have been involved in an accident. While many of these accidents involved other vehicles, other stationary and non-stationary objects can cause sustained damage. Some of the most common accidents include:

  • Single car accidents
  • Animal involved accidents
  • Multi-car accidents
  • Weather-related accidents

You may know wrecked cars by many other names. Some of these include:

  • Junkers 
  • Clunkers
  • Beaters
  • Bangers
  • Jalopies
  • Hoopties

The insurance company may also refer to them as damaged and may have processed an insurance claim against them. If the insurance company declared them totaled, they might even be on a salvaged title. 

They may or may not still be drivable, and some wrecked cars have been wrecked more than one time. Many may have been previously repaired but now have some body damage from current or previous accidents.

While their body may not be in the best shape, most still have most of their working parts, which is essential when determining the vehicle's value. With approximately 13 car accidents every minute, wrecked cars help fuel the used car part and collision repair market. 

What Is an Incomplete Car?

On the other hand, an incomplete car is a vehicle that no longer has many mechanical parts it would need to operate. It may have been previously wrecked or become non-operational for other reasons.

The car may also be missing many body parts or may have been previously stripped for used parts. This is especially true if it was used as a parts vehicle for restoration. 

Because of the numerous missing parts, most incomplete vehicles are only suitable for scrap metal. The type and weight of this scrap determine its value.

When dealing with a company offering cash for cars, or one that engages in junk car buying, it is essential to understand how they determine the value of your vehicle. You should know if you have a wrecked or incomplete vehicle. 

To learn more, contact a company that offers cash for cars


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