Used Car Battery | CoupleWealth
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Do you have some extra car batteries laying around that you don’t even know you have stashed in the corner? If so, you can make some extra money by selling them.

It might come as a surprise but there is a market for selling old batteries. Larger rechargeable batteries have the most value, like automobile and maritime batteries.

As you are cleaning out your garage or shed, don’t throw out your old boat or car batteries. Instead, you can sell them to make some extra money.

Here are some of the easiest places that you can sell your old car batteries to make some quick cash.

Where to Sell Used Car Batteries

So you’re cleaning out your house and come across some old car batteries that you don’t need any more. Maybe you replaced one but forgot about it in a corner. Or, maybe you have collected them over the years as you got different vehicles.

Luckily for you, you can sell these used car batteries to third parties to make some extra cash. While you can find individual people interested in buying them, there are plenty of businesses that will pay money for them.

These businesses will pay money for used, rechargeable batteries because they can resell them. They are able to refurbish them, charge them back up, and sell them like new.

Here are some of the best places to sell your used car batteries for some extra cash.

1. Scrap Yards or Metal Recycling Centers

The raw materials that make up batteries will often be bought by scrap yards. The lead inside batteries can go for around $0.30 per pound. This can add up quickly since car batteries can be around 20 pounds, or be worth $7.

Scrap yards will often take your used car batteries and pay you for the raw material inside. As the price of lead increases in the market, you will be able to fetch a higher price for your batteries.

Another thing to consider is selling multiple batteries at once. If you have a larger amount to sell, scrap yards may be able to offer a higher rate.

Metal recycling centers are similar to scrap yards but they focus on metals. Since the lead in batteries is a metal, they are are great place to sell your batteries.

It is worth searching for both scrap yards and metal recycling centers in your area. While they are similar, you may have different luck searching for different terms in Google in your local area.

2. Local Auto Parts Store

A great place to start with selling your used auto batteries is at your local auto parts store. This can be small businesses or larger chains like NAPA, Autozone, or O’Reilly.

Generally, there is a core fee charged by the state that covers the cost of recycling car batteries. If you are replacing a battery, this cost is paid by the store when you buy a new one.

However, the auto store may offer compensation if you are just returning a used battery and not buying a new one. Some stores may offer between $5 and $12, so check around to see who offers the most.

One thing to note is that most auto stores will give store credit instead of cash. This still helps towards your next repair bill, but know it probably won’t be paid in cash.

Some stores won’t pay anything for old batteries, but most will at least take them for recycling.

3. Craigslist

Craigslist is a great place to sell a wide range of used things. Car and boat batteries are no different. Just create a simple listing and post it in your region to see if someone may be interested.

People looking for used car batteries are probably looking for one that has some life left in it. Craigslist is a good option if you have replaced your car battery proactively but it isn’t completely dead.

When you create your listing, you’ll want to take some good pictures to show the size, power, and condition of the battery. This will help prospective buyers make sure that it will fit their specific application.

How much money you make from Craiglist depends on a range of factors. If there is a lot of demand and limited supply for used batteries, you can make significantly more. The quality of the battery and size can also play a factor.

Either way, Craiglist is a good place to sell your batteries since you can make more money than a scrap yard. Also, it may be easier to have someone pick them up from your house instead of having to drop them off.

4. Auto Repair Shops

Similar to auto parts stores, auto repair shops are another avenue for selling batteries. Repair shops often have the technical knowledge to refurbish a used car battery.

If you have an old car battery that is still in good shape, try selling it to an auto repair shop. They can clean it up, recharge them, and sell them back to their customers.

5. Donate Your Vehicle

While not exactly selling your car battery, you can make some money by donating the entire car. If you have an old junker, consider donating it to a good cause. There are plenty of places like Kash4Kids, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity that will take your vehicle.

These causes usually won’t give you cash but they will let you get a tax deduction. This can let you deduct $500 or more, depending on the value of your car. If you’re not using your old vehicle, it may make sense to donate the entire thing.

6. Sell Used Car Batteries on eBay

Similar to Craigslist, there are individual people who may be willing to buy used car batteries. Create a listing on eBay to start an auction for your old batteries.

Lots of people are always looking for a good deal, especially if they have an automobile hobby. Handy people may be able to refurbish a cheap battery to save some money.

You may be able to sell an old car battery for $20 to $50 on eBay. If it is in better or worse shape, you could get more or less. If you’re willing to take some pictures and create a listing, eBay can be a great way to make some cash.

7. iScrap App

iScrap is an app that has a list of vendors and individuals that buy batteries and scrap metal. It is a great way to find local resources that will buy an old car battery.

One of the nice features is that you can search for local scrap yards and vendors. If you find one that does local pickups, you can also schedule a pickup. Some of their resources include better understanding scrap metal laws.

8. Have a Garage Sale

You might be surprised to to find out that your neighbors are interested in your used car batteries. If you have more stuff to sell than just batteries, consider having a yard sale.

Throw up a few signs in your neighborhood and post on Facebook to let people in your area know. Sometimes a good old-fashioned yard sale is the easiest way to sell your batteries and your other things.

9. Battery Reconditioning

Battery reconditioning is a skill that takes an old battery and restores it to like-new. Not only does it clean up the outside, but it recharges the battery components. This extends the life of the battery so that it can be used for many more years.

There are a few different battery reconditioning techniques that you could use yourself. Once you have the skills and tools, you could start your own side hustle. Find some old car batteries, recondition them, and sell them for a profit.

Get Paid Cash for Scrapping Your Car

Besides just selling your own car batteries, you can make some extra cash by scrapping your old car.

Ten years ago we were all familiar with the only idea that to get rid of a scrap car was to pay someone to take it away. So what we ended up with was old cars being abandoned at the sides of the road, rusty and dangerous heaps of old metal cars left in the corners of fields which were basically full of hazardous waste.

I think we are probably all aware of the difficulty we used to have even disposing of old tires and batteries.

However, for the past few years, all that has changed. New regulations have designated sites where you can legally take your car to be scrapped yourself and get cash back in your pocket.

It is pretty simple to do as long as you have the right documentation, mainly your car title. It is easy enough to get on to Google, type in ‘Where to scrap my old car’, and  find out where your local authorized treatment facility (ATF) is to do this.

There are also many third parties that will take your car in exchange for a tax deduction. Others may pay a flat cash payout for your clunker, depending on its condition.

As with everything to do with your car, make sure that you have the correct documentation. You must get the correct form and fill in the appropriate section V5C Registration certificate and return it to DVLA. Once you receive acknowledgement back your liability for the vehicle will be over.

As with everything else recycling is the name of the game and as a consequence the value of scrap metal has gone up. Recycling is foremost and now every old car is worth a lot more than what you would pay to have it removed by a trader. Some scrap yards will actually come and pick your old banger up for you and still give you money!!

There we have it! You get rid of your old car, do your bit for recycling, scrap your car for cash and get the money in your pocket!

Summary

Selling your old car batteries can be a great way to earn some extra money. Instead of throwing them out, find a local buyer that is willing to buy them.

This can be an individual looking for a personal vehicle. Or, it could be a business that specializes in buying and selling batteries. At the very least, make sure that you recycle your use auto batteries so that they don’t go to the landfill.



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