There are plenty of reasons to sell an old junk car. You might want to upgrade, or your vehicle might be suffering from a failure that's just not worth repairing. Whatever the case, most people won't haul their vehicle off to the scrapyard if it's still in good running condition. Unfortunately, there's one situation that can quickly bring down even an otherwise reliable daily driver: rust.
Rust has many colorful descriptions among automotive enthusiasts, but most drive home the point that it's often a car killer. While repairing rust is sometimes worthwhile on cherished classic cars or other vehicles with high value, it's often a signal that the end is near. Understanding why this is the case can help you decide if the rust on your junk car is a sign that it's ready for the scrapheap.
How Does Rust Work?
Ready for a chemistry lesson? Rust forms when two common and otherwise essential elements combine. Iron and oxygen together form iron oxide, which is more typically known as rust. Although other metals can also oxidize, rust refers explicitly to the material that originates from iron or alloys of iron, such as the steel on your car.
The chemical reaction that creates rust requires iron, oxygen, and some water. You don't need to know the chemical details of the process, but it's essential to realize that the oxygen necessary for rust exists in most environments. Coatings over the metal, such as paint, can help keep oxygen away and delay the onset of rust.
However, rust is commonly known as a car killer because of its apparent ability to spread across surfaces. Although the rust itself doesn't spread, it can cause paint to bubble and flake off. As this occurs, it exposes more metal to air and moisture, creating more rust and continuing the process. The ultimate result of this process can ruin body panels and structural elements.
Why Should You Junk a Rusty Car?
While surface rust isn't a significant issue, penetrating rust will eventually destroy a car. The rust will eat through the metal, reducing the car's structural integrity and potentially making it unsafe in accidents. On trucks and older cars, rust on the frame can even make the vehicle dangerous to drive on roads and highways or lead to accelerated wear on other components.
Repairing rust typically involves replacing body panels and welding new ones in place. This process requires a skilled body shop and tends to be costly enough that it's rarely worthwhile on older cars. The presence of rust also tends to ruin a car's resale value. As a result, trying to sell a rusty beater can be challenging.
In many cases, selling your old rusty car to a scrapyard is the safest and most straightforward option. Selling your car to a junk buyer will allow you to extract a bit more cash from it before it finally rusts away for good.
For more information on junk car removal, contact a professional near you.
