How to Sell a Scrap Car in Perth: 9 Costly Mistakes to Avoid
Selling a scrap car in Perth is simple once you know the process. Most people lose money not because their car is worth little, but because of small mistakes along the way, things like accepting a quote without checking what it actually includes, giving the wrong details about the car, or missing a required step with the Department of Transport.
This guide walks you through how the process works, the nine mistakes that cost sellers the most, and what to check before you hand over the keys.
How Do You Sell a Scrap Car in Perth?
Before we get into the mistakes, here is the process itself, so you know what a normal sale should look like from start to finish.
1. Check Your Vehicle’s Condition
Have a good look at the car before you contact anyone. Note the make, model, year, whether it runs, any accident damage, missing parts, and its current registration status. This information decides most of what a buyer will offer you.
2. Get More Than One Quote
Contact a few car removal or wrecking services and ask each one to value your car based on the same details. Quotes can vary quite a bit between buyers, so this step alone can make a real difference to what you end up with.
3. Confirm What the Quote Includes
Ask directly whether the price includes collection, whether it can change once the buyer sees the car, and when you will actually be paid.
4. Prepare Your Car for Collection
Remove your belongings, gather your keys and any paperwork, and make sure the car is accessible for the tow truck or removal team.
5. Complete the Required WA Steps
Once the sale is agreed, there are a couple of things you need to do with the Department of Transport WA to close things off properly. We cover this in detail further down.
6. Hand Over the Vehicle and Keep Your Records
When the car is collected, keep a copy of any paperwork or receipt you are given. This protects you if any question about the sale comes up later.
9 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Scrap Car
1. Assuming Your Car Is Only Worth Its Metal
Plenty of people assume an old or damaged car is worth next to nothing because it will not run. In reality, a scrap car’s value comes from more than just scrap metal. Reusable parts, the make and model, how complete the vehicle is, and current demand for spares all play a part in the final offer.
How to avoid it: Before you accept any offer, ask the buyer what factors influenced their price. A buyer who can explain this clearly is usually more trustworthy than one who simply names a number.
2. Giving Incomplete Information About the Vehicle
It is tempting to leave out details that might lower the quote, but this almost always backfires. If you do not mention major damage, a missing engine or transmission, or that the car has not started in months, the quote you receive is based on a car that does not actually exist.
How to avoid it: Be upfront about the condition from the first phone call. A quote based on accurate details is far more likely to match what you are actually paid on the day.
3. Comparing the Advertised Price Instead of the Final Payout
A high advertised figure does not always mean a high final payment. Some buyers quote an attractive number, then reduce it once towing, admin fees, or “inspection adjustments” are taken out.
How to avoid it: Before accepting anything, ask these questions.
| Before you accept an offer | What to ask |
| Vehicle price | Is this the exact amount I will receive? |
| Collection | Is towing included, or charged separately? |
| Condition check | Can the price change once you see the car? |
| Payment | When and how will I be paid? |
| Extra charges | Are there any deductions at all? |
A slightly lower offer with no deductions is often worth more than a higher one with hidden costs attached.
4. Getting the WA Paperwork Wrong
Many sellers assume that once a car is scrapped, the paperwork does not matter. That is not correct, and it is one of the more expensive mistakes to make.
Under Western Australian rules, when you sell or dispose of a licensed vehicle, you must notify the Department of Transport within seven days that you are no longer the owner. In most cases, this can be done online through a DoTDirect account.
If the sale cannot be processed online, for example, if the seller or vehicle details do not match DoT records, you will need to complete a Notification of Change of Ownership form (known as the MR9), submit the seller’s copy to a DoT service centre, and give the buyer their copy along with the current licence paperwork.
Skipping this step matters because until it is done, the vehicle can still be linked to your name.
How to avoid it: Confirm with the buyer whether they will help with this step, and keep a copy of whatever you submit.
5. Paying for Towing You Did Not Need To
Arranging or paying for a tow yourself can easily cost you money that a buyer would have covered for free. Many Perth car removal services collect the vehicle at no charge as part of the sale.
How to avoid it: Always confirm collection costs before agreeing to sell. If a buyer is not upfront about whether towing is included, treat that as a warning sign rather than a small detail.
6. Choosing a Buyer Without Checking Them First
Not every buyer operates the same way. Some are straightforward, others are not. Instead of simply looking for a “reputable” buyer, it helps to know exactly what to check.
Watch out for these signs before you commit to a sale.
- No clear business name, address, or way to contact them beyond a mobile number
- A quote with no explanation of how it was calculated
- Reluctance to explain the paperwork side of the sale
- Price changes on the day with no clear reason
- Pressure to decide immediately
How to avoid it: A quick search of the business name and a look at recent customer feedback takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of hassle.
7. Leaving Personal Items and Data Behind
This mistake catches out more people than you would expect. It is not just physical items either.
Before your car is collected, check the glovebox, centre console, boot, and under the seats for anything you have left behind, including toll tags, service documents, and spare keys. If your car has a connected infotainment system, remove any paired phones and clear saved addresses, contacts, or navigation history as well.
How to avoid it: Do one final walk-through of the car, inside and out, right before it is collected. Once it leaves your property, retrieving anything becomes far harder.
8. Spending Money on Repairs Before Selling
It seems logical that fixing the car first would mean a higher offer, but that is not always true. A repair does not automatically add more to your payout than it costs you.
How to avoid it: Compare the likely increase in value against the cost, time, and effort of the repair itself. In many cases, selling the car as it is turns out to be the better outcome.
9. Rushing the Sale Without Checking the Details
Wanting the car gone quickly is understandable, but rushing can mean skipping the checks that protect your final payout. This does not mean you need to wait days before deciding, it just means reading what you agree to.
How to avoid it: Before confirming a sale, make sure you understand the price, the collection arrangement, the payment method, and who is responsible for the DoT paperwork. A quick check now avoids a messy conversation later.
What Should You Do Before Your Scrap Car Is Collected?
Here is a short checklist to run through on the day.
- Remove all personal belongings from the car
- Take out toll tags, garage remotes, and spare keys
- Check the glovebox, boot, and under the seats
- Clear paired devices and saved data from any infotainment system
- Confirm the agreed price and payment method one last time
- Confirm who is handling the DoT notification
- Keep a copy of any paperwork or receipt provided
How Much Is a Scrap Car Worth in Perth?
There is no single set price for a scrap car in Perth, because offers depend on the vehicle itself rather than a fixed rate. Generally, the following factors make the biggest difference to an offer.
| Vehicle condition | What typically affects the offer |
| Complete car that does not run | Reusable parts and recyclable materials |
| Accident-damaged car | Salvageable components alongside the damage |
| Older unwanted car | Remaining part value and metal weight |
| Stripped vehicle | Whatever components and materials remain |
| Written-off vehicle | Overall condition and any usable parts |
If you want an accurate figure for your own car, the quickest way is to speak with a car removal service directly, since condition, make, and model all affect the number more than any general estimate can.
Sell Your Scrap Car in Perth with Spare Car Removal
Spare Car Removal can give you a quote based on your car’s actual details and arrange free collection from your property, whether it is old, damaged, or simply not running anymore. We also stock a range of used car parts if you are after an affordable replacement for your next repair.
Get in touch or contact us to find out what your scrap car is worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to sell a scrap car in Perth?
Once you accept a quote, collection can often be arranged for the same day or the next, depending on the buyer’s schedule and where the car is located.
Do I need to be home when the car is collected?
Most buyers ask that someone be present to hand over keys and confirm the sale, though some can arrange collection with prior agreement if you cannot be there in person. It is best to confirm this directly with whoever is collecting the vehicle.
What happens to my number plates when I sell a scrap car in WA?
In Western Australia, number plates generally stay with the seller rather than transferring with the vehicle. You can find the full details on the Department of Transport WA vehicle transfer page if your situation is not straightforward.
Can I sell a car that is no longer registered?
Yes, an unregistered car can still be sold or scrapped. You will still need to confirm ownership and complete the required Department of Transport notification once the sale is finalised.