Not every car suits every selling method. Here's an honest comparison for an old or scrap car.
If your car is old, dead or unwanted, you've got three realistic options. Here's how they stack up.
| Scrap car buyer | Trade Me | Dealer trade-in | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Old, dead, damaged, no-WOF cars | Tidy, running cars with a WOF | When buying another car |
| Speed | Same/next day | Days to weeks | On purchase day |
| Effort | One call, we collect | Listing, photos, messages, viewings | Low, but tied to a sale |
| Cash for a scrap car | Top — parts + metal | Often no buyers | Usually little or nothing |
| Removal | Free | Buyer's problem | n/a |
| Paperwork | Handled for you | You do it | Dealer does it |
If the car is genuinely sellable — tidy, running, current WOF — Trade Me can get you more, if you've got the time and patience. A dealer trade-in is convenient when you're buying your next car, but they'll discount hard for an old vehicle.
For a car that's dead, without a WOF, high-km or damaged, a scrap car buyer almost always wins on cash and hassle — because we pay for parts and metal, collect free, and sort the NZTA paperwork.
For a tidy, running car with a WOF, possibly — if you have time for listings and viewings. For an old, dead or no-WOF car, a scrap buyer usually pays more and is far less hassle.
Usually not much for an end-of-life car — they discount heavily. A scrap car buyer typically beats a trade-in for older vehicles.
A scrap car buyer — one call, same/next-day pickup, cash on the spot, paperwork done.
Ready to scrap your car? Get a firm cash offer in 60 seconds — call 0800 000 523 or use our instant quote. Free removal anywhere in NZ.
Get top cash for your scrap car — anywhere in New Zealand. Free same-day removal, paid on the spot.