To find a reliable buyer to sell your unwanted car in Melbourne, compare three primary options: private marketplaces (Carsales, Facebook Marketplace), dealership trade-ins, or specialized licensed motor car traders (LMCT) offering instant car removal. If your vehicle is non-running, unregistered, mechanically damaged, or lacks a Victorian Roadworthy Certificate (RWC), selling to a licensed auto buyer like Cars Wanted Melbourne is the fastest and most cost-effective method. Licensed buyers provide instant algorithmic valuations, handle all VicRoads paperwork, pay via secure electronic funds transfer (Osko/EFT), and offer 100% free towing across all Melbourne metropolitan suburbs.
Many vehicle owners first list their vehicle on classified websites, only to experience weeks of frustration. When attempting to sell an unwanted, high-mileage, or broken-down vehicle privately in Melbourne, you face several major roadblocks:
The RWC Cost Trap: Selling a registered car privately in Victoria requires a Roadworthy Certificate issued by a licensed vehicle tester. Passing an RWC inspection on an older vehicle often requires $1,500 to $4,000+ in mechanical repairs (suspension bushes, oil leaks, brake rotors, and tyre replacements)—frequently exceeding the vehicle’s market value.
Tyre-Kickers and Time Wasters: Inquiries on public marketplaces often consist of lowball offers, missed inspection appointments, and requests for endless photos.
Ongoing Registration and Parking Costs: While waiting for a private buyer, you continue paying registration fees, insurance premiums, and risk local council fines if the unroadworthy car is parked on public streets in inner-city Melbourne councils.
The simplest way to sell your unwanted car is to provide the buyer with basic information about the vehicle and request a quote.
You can usually follow these steps:
Tell the buyer your:
Photos of the vehicle can also help provide a clearer idea of its condition.
The vehicle can be assessed based on its condition, make, model, age, parts and potential salvage or recycling value.
The amount you receive will depend on the individual vehicle.
If the offer suits you, confirm the collection arrangements and payment details before the vehicle is removed.
Cars Wanted Melbourne can arrange vehicle removal from your Melbourne location, making it unnecessary to organise separate towing for an unwanted or non-running car. The business advertises free vehicle removal across Melbourne.
You may be able to sell your unwanted car even when it is no longer suitable for normal road use.
Cars Wanted Melbourne accepts vehicles including:
The condition of the vehicle does not automatically mean it has no value. Usable components and recyclable materials can contribute to its overall worth.
There is no fixed price for every unwanted car.
The potential value can depend on:
A damaged or non-running vehicle can still have value if it contains reusable components or recyclable materials.
Not necessarily.
If your vehicle requires expensive mechanical or body repairs, calculate the likely repair cost before spending money on it.
For an older vehicle with significant damage, the cost of repairs may not be justified by its potential resale value. In these circumstances, obtaining a quote for the vehicle in its current condition can help you compare your options.
You should also remove personal belongings from the vehicle before collection.
Selling a vehicle privately can involve:
A car removal service provides an alternative for owners who want to sell an unwanted vehicle without managing the entire private-sale process.
Yes. A non-running car can still have value.
A vehicle may stop running because of engine failure, transmission problems, electrical faults, accident damage or general mechanical deterioration.
You should tell the buyer that the vehicle is non-running when requesting a quote. This allows the appropriate vehicle removal equipment to be arranged.
Yes, an unregistered car may still be worth selling.
However, registration status can affect the transaction and the documentation required.
When requesting a quote, clearly state that the vehicle is unregistered and provide the relevant ownership information.
If you are unsure about Victorian registration or disposal requirements, check the current VicRoads guidance before completing the transaction.
An unwanted vehicle may contain parts and materials that can still be recovered.
Depending on its condition, components may be assessed for:
Cars Wanted Melbourne also provides car recycling and wrecking services, with reusable parts and scrap materials recovered where appropriate.
This gives an end-of-life vehicle another potential use instead of leaving it unused on your property.
Before requesting a quote, prepare accurate information about your vehicle.
Mention major mechanical problems, accident damage, missing parts and other issues.
Photos of the exterior, interior and damaged areas can help the buyer understand the vehicle’s condition.
Keep the make, model, year and registration information available when requesting a quote.
Do not look only at the advertised maximum price. Check the actual offer and whether vehicle removal is included.
Cars Wanted Melbourne provides unwanted car buying and removal services across Melbourne and surrounding areas.
Whether your vehicle is parked in a driveway, garage, private property or another accessible location, provide the exact suburb when requesting a quote.
The business is based in Dandenong and advertises vehicle removal throughout Melbourne and surrounding areas.
1. Get a Quote
Provide your vehicle make, model, year, condition and location.
2. Accept the Offer
Review the offer and confirm the collection arrangements.
3. Arrange Removal
The vehicle is collected from your Melbourne location, with free removal advertised by Cars Wanted Melbourne.
If your unwanted car is taking up space in your garage, driveway or property, you can request a quote based on its current condition.
Provide Cars Wanted Melbourne with your vehicle details and location to find out what your unwanted car may be worth and arrange a suitable collection time.
Call 0451 101 985 to request a quote and sell your unwanted car in Melbourne.
Yes. We buy vehicles in any mechanical state, including blown head gaskets, seized engines, transmission failures, flood submersion, severe accident damage, or missing mechanical components. Our tilt-tray tow trucks are fully equipped to winch non-rolling vehicles safely from driveways, garages, and backyards.
No. An RWC is not required when you sell your vehicle to a licensed motor car trader or scrap buyer in Victoria. We purchase vehicles strictly for salvage, dismantling, and metal recycling.
You only need to have two items ready: a valid government-issued photo ID (such as an Australian Driver’s Licence or Passport) and basic proof that you are the lawful owner of the vehicle (expired registration papers, purchase receipt, or title documentation).
Yes. We routinely buy unregistered vehicles. If your vehicle still has number plates attached, our driver will help you unscrew them on-site so you can return them to any VicRoads Customer Service Centre to claim a refund on remaining registration and CTP charges.
We offer same-day collection across most metropolitan Melbourne areas. In most cases, our drivers arrive within 1 to 3 hours of quote acceptance.
