What is an End-of-Life Vehicle?
This guide explains what an end-of-life vehicle is, all the synonyms of an end-of-life vehicle, and takes an in-depth look at what is an end-of-life vehicle, its prices, removal, buyers, and more.
What is The Definition of an End-of-Life Vehicle?
An end-of-life vehicle is a car that should be recycled rather than returned to the roads. End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) cannot be repaired due to age, extensive damage, burning, flooding, or poor maintenance. It may be the most cost-effective solution to invest money into a newer vehicle that has more life left. The only way to responsibly handle an ELV is to have it recycled.
Inoperable old cars that cannot be repaired due to a lack of access to used car parts are also end-of-life vehicles. ELVs may have high mileage, sometimes in the 200-300 thousand mile range, which is where many expensive components such as the engine may begin to fail.
End-of-life vehicles can be any year, make, or model. According to Recycling Today, the average age of a vehicle on the roads today is 11.9 years. This means that most ELVs are older than 12 model years.
However, vehicles that have reached the end of their lives prematurely via car accident, burning, flood, or other event can be of any age. These cars may be newer and be in otherwise operable condition before the wreck. End-of-life vehicles might start or run short distances, but they are not safe to drive in any case. They generally require extensive repairs that aren't economical for the average budget when compared with the cost of a new vehicle.
Synonyms of End-of-Life Vehicles
The most common names for end-of-life vehicles are old car, scrap car, beater car, derelict car, decrepit car, or lemon car. Depending on the age of the vehicle and the circumstances these junk cars can also be called damaged cars, salvage cars, rusted cars, clunkers, incomplete car, totaled car, or wrecked car.
An In-Depth Look at End-of-Life Vehicles
An end-of-life vehicle is a car that has reached the end of the road and needs to be recycled. End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) includes both cars that are old and worn out as well as vehicles that have been wrecked or otherwise damaged beyond repair. Slang for ELVs includes junk car, scrap car, and junker. The processing, recycling, and proper disposal of end-of-life vehicles is both highly regulated and hotly debated. The accumulation of ELVs is detrimental to the environment, and there are many initiatives across the country to address this important issue.
End-of-life vehicles are beyond repair, and most do not run or are unsafe to drive. This differs from inoperable vehicles in that repairs could be made to most inoperable cars, but those repairs are not economical or affordable. There are vehicles reaching the end of their lives of every make and model each year simply due to age and outdated mechanical systems. However, most end-of-life vehicles are Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Chevy because those were the most popular car brands. According to Fact Monster, these were the most commonly purchased car brands between 1999 and 2001 and therefore there are more of these vehicles ending their lives today than other less popular brands of that time.
End-of-life vehicles make up the majority of the junk car industry. Market research firm imarc states the automotive recycling industry is currently worth $67 billion in the United States. End-of-life vehicles from all decades are being found or retired each year, causing the industry to explode in the last few years.
How does a car become an End-of-Life Vehicle?
There are 5 main ways a car becomes an end-of-life vehicle.
- The vehicle naturally ages and decays. Regardless of how well a vehicle is maintained, any car that is driven on a daily basis naturally ages and decays. When a vehicle has most of its mechanical systems failing and is showing rust from age, it is time to recycle the end-of-life vehicle. Green Vehicle Disposal reports that about 12 million ELVs are taken out of service each year.
- The make and model has well-known mechanical failures. Some vehicles become end-of-life vehicles prematurely due to mechanical failures. Over the years there have been certain makes and models that were well-known to have mechanical problems. These include such groaners as the Ford Aerostar and the Chrysler Town & Country minivans. Less reliable makes and models are money pits that are made even more expensive and difficult to repair by the rarity of used car parts that actually function.
- The vehicle is burned. Burned vehicles cannot be repaired and returned to the roads. It is illegal to rebuild and drive a burned vehicle whether or not it has been issued a salvage title. The most common ways a vehicle is burned is through mechanical failure or building and house fires that spread to nearby vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are about 174,000 vehicle fires on highways in the US each year.
- The vehicle is flooded. Flooded cars become end-of-life vehicles during flash flooding, severe storms, or hurricanes. Flooded cars are end-of-life vehicles that should not be returned to the roads. In spite of this, Car Fax reports that as many as 212,000 flood damaged cars were returned to the roads in 2020 on top of another 378,000 estimated to have already been on the roads at that time.
- The vehicle is wrecked. According to NHTSA, there are about 15 million passenger vehicle crashes per year. This includes 5 million reported crashes and an estimated unreported 10 million accidents. In addition, there are about 21,199 single car crashes per year in the US. Vehicles that are so severely damaged that repair would require replacement of most of the vehicle are end-of-life vehicles.
Keep in mind that insurance companies go by repair estimates rather than how much of the vehicle is damaged when totaling vehicles. This means that many of the vehicles that are in car wrecks or damaged by other events could be repaired, but the insurance company would lose money to do so. Many wrecked and damaged vehicles are processed by the junk car industry each year that are not truly end-of-life vehicles.
What are some characteristics of end-of-life vehicles?
There are 4 common characteristics of end-of-life vehicles.
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- End-of-life vehicles are unregistered cars. Most end-of-life vehicles are unregistered unless they have suddenly reached their end due to a car accident or other event. This is because every state has minimum safety inspection requirements that must be met for registration, and most ELVs do not qualify to be driven on the roads.
- End-of-life vehicles require their mechanical systems repaired or replaced. Once a car has reached the point that it needs their mechanical systems repaired or replaced it is an end-of-life vehicle. While the car could technically still be repaired, it doesn’t make sense to do so.
- End-of-life vehicles are against the law. The storage of ELVs on residential property is prohibited in most municipalities. Depending on the jurisdiction, leaving end-of-life vehicles out in the open can lead to fines, administrative costs, junk car removal costs, citations, and in some cases criminal charges.
- End-of-life vehicles have visible damage. Any old car that has been on the road for years will have some type of visible damage and probably at least mild surface rust. End-of-life vehicles that are the result of a car accident or natural disaster will have dents and may be missing parts of the body panels.
End-of-life vehicles are also unwanted vehicles. As unwanted cars, ELVs often sit while the vehicle owner tries to figure out what to do with the car. This is why cities and counties are trying to enforce the recycling of end-of-life vehicles.
What happens to end-of-life vehicles sold to junk car buyers?
End-of-life vehicles go through 5 main steps in the vehicle recycling process after the junk car buyer passes the vehicle on to a vehicle recycler or automotive dismantler.
The auto dismantler takes the vehicle and tears it down into its many parts and elements. Used car parts that still work are removed and added to used car parts inventory when the end-of-life vehicle’s parts work for other makes and models still on the roads. The recyclable metal is crushed and sent to a scrap metal recycler.
About 15% of the vehicle is made up of other recyclable materials. The remaining 20% of the vehicle that is waste must be disposed of properly.
How is steel recycled from end-of-life vehicles used?
The steel recycled from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) is used in a number of ways. According to Federal Steel Supply, recycled steel is used to manufacture new automobiles, home furniture, home appliances, packaging, and building materials. Recycled steel is also used in artistic endeavors, increasingly so since the popularity of the Forged in Fire show on the History Channel.
Why is what you do with an end-of-life vehicle important for the environment?
Considering that many communities rely on vehicles to get individuals to work, school, and daily errands — it's beneficial to have a process in place to recycle these vehicles safely once they inevitably become decommissioned.
Disposing of your end-of-life vehicle in an environmentally conscious way helps to manage pollution and protect the environment from any hazardous materials. Vehicles need to be de-polluted and have any gas, oil, and other chemicals removed and safely disposed of. Automotive recycling helps to conserve natural resources and helps strive towards the goal of pollution prevention and waste reduction.
Failing to recycle a vehicle properly can result in damage to the environment, such as from leaked hazardous liquids that weren't safely drained and disposed of. Once in the waterway, these liquids can harm the native wildlife and others who rely on the water. Automotive recycling is a key factor in resource recovery, as it allows old cars to be repurposed and keeps the components out of landfill destinations. This optimizes the value of an end-of-life vehicle and prioritizes material reuse for other purposes.
It is important that ELVs be disposed of properly, but there are other reasons end-of-life vehicles benefit the environment when recycled. According to the EPA, one ton of recycled steel saves the energy equivalent of 3.6 barrels of oil and 1.49 tons of iron ore over production of new steel. This means that using recycled steel both saves energy and preserves nonrenewable resources.
Are end-of-life vehicles junk cars?
End-of-life vehicles is synonymous with junk cars. A junk car is a vehicle that should be salvaged and recycled. End-of-life vehicles often have no salvage value, but they do need to be recycled. End-of-life vehicles make up the majority of the junk cars recycled each year, even though some vehicles are recycled for other reasons.
What are regulations and standards for end-of-life vehicle recycling?
Within the European community, ELVs are estimated to produce between 8-9 million tons of waste each year according to the United States EPA. The European Union End-of-Life Vehicles Directive was formed to help reduce the impact of this waste on the environment by incentivizing manufacturers to use fewer hazardous materials while producing new vehicles, such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. The directive also emphasizes the vehicle recycling process, thus allowing the recycled metals to be reused in future vehicles. The ELV Directive has systems in place to ensure that end-of-life vehicles reach authorized facilities that are permitted to handle dismantling junk cars.
While there is no such federal law in place within the United States that provides rules and regulations around end-of-life vehicles, there is "product stewardship." This term encourages all groups (manufacturers, retailers, drivers, etc.) to split the responsibility of reducing the negative impacts of the vehicle on the environment. This can equate to manufacturers and producers using fewer harmful substances and hazardous materials in the making of the vehicle and the inevitable owner being responsible for safely recycling the car later in its lifecycle.
This product stewardship is also shared by salvage yards and junk yards. These locations are tasked with safely dismantling and disposing of the vehicle. Doing so in a way that minimizes the impact on the environment is a major part of the automotive recycling process. If all vehicles were dismantled with no order or no consideration to what type of harmful substances may leak out once the vehicle is placed in the crusher or shredder, the environment would take a significant hit in terms of hazardous oil, gas, and other automotive liquids entering into the waterways nearest the salvage yard.
The automotive industry has a Vehicle Recycling Partnership, which Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors have collaborated on. This program encourages sustainable practices in North America and beyond. The partnership has published studies that delve into how vehicle manufacturing can be made to be more sustainable and the importance of reusing and recycling as much of the vehicle as possible at the end of its useful life.
What is an End-of-Life Vehicle worth?
An end-of-life vehicle is only worth its value as scrap metal. The year, make, and model of the vehicle determines how much of which types of metals were used in its manufacture. This is the biggest factor in the value of end-of-life vehicles.
What are the price ranges of end-of-life vehicles?
The price ranges of ELVs depend on the car’s year, make, model, condition, location, and local scrap metal prices. Incomplete cars do not bring as much cash as end-of-life vehicles with all of their parts.
What are the most valuable parts of an end-of-life vehicle?
The most valuable parts of an end-of-life vehicle are the frame, body, drive train, engine, transmission, and catalytic converter. The frame, body, drive train, engine, and transmission casing are made of steel and other iron alloys. In total a vehicle is an average of 55 to 65 percent recyclable iron alloys, including steel. The transmission is a rich source of aluminum, and the catalytic converter contains small amounts of precious metals.
What are the most valuable metals in an end-of-life vehicle?
The most valuable metal in an ELV is steel, simply because it makes up the majority of the vehicle. Aluminum has a higher price than steel, and most transmissions are made of this metal. Catalytic converters have platinum, rhodium, and palladium that bring a pretty penny even though they are in small amounts.
Keep in mind that there are many factors that affect scrap metal prices. Economic and political climate on a local, state, national, and global scale cause scrap metal prices to vary. The demand for a particular metal could increase or decrease without warning.
How much is an end-of-life vehicle hulk worth?
An end-of-life vehicle that is nothing more than an empty car shell is worth less than other junk cars. Incomplete cars of this nature likely have their most valuable parts already stripped. In this case, most of the value is based on the year, make, and model of the vehicle and the amount of recyclable metals were used in the frame and body of the vehicle.
What to do with an End-of-Life Vehicle?
It is important to dispose of an end-of-life vehicle properly. Here are 4 things you can do with an end-of-life vehicle.
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- Donate the end-of-life vehicle to a charity. Some charities accept end-of-life vehicles as donations. The charity then sells the cars they receive at auction to fund their mission. Charities typically get less than wholesale value for end-of-life vehicles, and as such it is usually best to sell the end-of-life vehicle and donate the cash.
- Sell the end-of-life vehicle to an individual. End-of-life vehicles can still be used creatively when they have no value other than as recycling. Hobbies that use end-of-life vehicles and the steel they contain include blacksmithing, forging steel, and metal sculpture. Individuals buy ELVs because it is cheaper to harvest their own steel than to purchase it. Materials from the rest of the vehicle can be used to craft handles and other items as well.
- Sell the end-of-life vehicle to an automotive dismantler or vehicle recycler. Auto dismantlers take apart ELVs, separate the recyclable materials and waste, crush the remaining steel hulk, and dispose of all with appropriate recyclers. Vehicle recyclers or scrap metal recyclers actually recycle the steel and other metals from the end-of-life vehicle, and may also dismantle junk cars. However, many auto dismantlers and scrap metal recyclers do not buy end-of-life vehicles from individuals.
- Sell the end-of-life vehicle to a junk car buyer. The easiest way to sell an end-of-life vehicle is to sell it to a junk car buyer. Junk car buyers work with the auto dismantlers and vehicle recyclers that properly dispose of end-of-life vehicles. Junk car buyers will pay cash for your ELV and make sure it goes to the next logical step of vehicle recycling.
The easiest way to get rid of an end-of-life vehicle is to contact Junk Car Medics. Junk Car Medics is a junk car buyer that works with vehicle and scrap metal recyclers in the area to create demand for your vehicle. This allows us to give the best prices with a quick, easy, painless, and rewarding process to get rid of unwanted cars and end-of-life vehicles in your area.
Can I sell an end-of-life vehicle with no title?
Yes, you can sell an end-of-life vehicle with no title depending on the situation and your state as long as you can prove ownership and meet any other requirements. Each state has different title laws and regulations regarding the sale of vehicles without a title. End-of-life vehicles may have no title if they have been sold as parts cars or otherwise do not qualify for a title according to state law. When the title is missing but the vehicle was previously registered in the owner’s name additional paperwork may be required to sell ELVs with no title.
Can I sell an end-of-life vehicle with no registration?
Yes, you can sell an end-of-life vehicle with no registration. This is because registration is only required for the vehicle to be driven on public roads and highways. End-of-life vehicles typically cannot pass inspections and meet other requirements for registration, and thus many of them do not have current license plates. However, one can use a previous registration to prove ownership when selling an end-of-life vehicle without a title.
Who buys end-of-life vehicles?
There are 3 main entities that buy end-of-life vehicles.
- Automotive dismantlers
- Vehicle recyclers
- Junk Car Medics (or other junk car buyers)
As described above, the people who buy end-of-life vehicles are purchasing them to dismantle and recycle them and may not buy end-of-life vehicles from the public. Junkyards and auto salvage yards do not buy end-of-life vehicles because they cannot be repaired and have no valuable parts to resell.
How to choose a junk car buyer for end-of-life vehicles
Choosing a junk car buyer is an important decision that affects how much money you get for your end-of-life vehicle and how easy it is to rid yourself of the end-of-life car. Here are 5 steps to take to choose a junk car buyer for your end-of-life vehicle.
- Search for local junk car buyers near you. Talk to friends, family, and coworkers to get referrals for local junk car buyers. You can also go online and do a local Google search for junk car buyers near me. Look at the ratings and eliminate any with less than a 4 star rating. The result should be a shortlist of junk car buyers to research. Junk Car Medics has high ratings across multiple consumer review sites.
- Eliminate inexperienced junk car buyers. The junk car industry has grown by $42 billion in the last four years, and as such there are many new junk car buyers paying cash for end-of-life vehicles. Working with a more experienced junk car buyer ensures that you are getting the best price and the easiest experience for selling your end-of-life vehicle. Junk Car Medics has been in business for over 6 years. Although some communities review businesses less than others in general, most experienced junk car buyers will have at least 20 genuine reviews.
- Read at least 3 detailed reviews for each junk car buyer left on your list. Every junk car buyer should have a mix of reviews. Overwhelmingly negative reviews mean either the company is disreputable or the junk car buyer is inexperienced and a competitor paid for negative reviews. Either way they should be avoided. Look for clues as to the fairness of prices and look for evidence of poor business practices such as not honoring quotes for end-of-life vehicles.
- Get junk car quotes from the top junk car buyers. The best junk car buyers have fast and easy junk car quote systems and can return a price quickly. Compare the offers to see which pay the most. It is also important to read the fine print of the offer for your end-of-life vehicle to make sure that removal, towing, and other costs are included.
- Use the junk car buyer with the easiest process. The right junk car buyer will help you complete any paperwork necessary to sell end-of-life vehicles in your state regardless of the situation. Junk car buyers should schedule free removal of end-of-life vehicles and responsibly pass them on for recycling. You can find evidence of this in reviews and consumer watchdog organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the EPA’s grading site for vehicle recycling companies.
Junk Car Medics is the best junk car buyer paying cash for end-of-life vehicles. Junk Car Medics has a quick, easy, painless, and rewarding process for selling end-of-life vehicles for the best possible price.
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