Yes, you can sell a car in Melbourne that is damaged, written off, unregistered or does not run. A metal recycler buys it for its metal and any recoverable parts, so it does not need registration, a roadworthy certificate or a working engine. What it does need is a seller who can show they own it and a vehicle identification number that has not been tampered with. This guide explains the rules that apply to each kind of problem car and what to expect when you sell one.
It is written by the operations team at Johny Metal Recycling. We have collected unwanted vehicles across Melbourne since 2021, and most of the cars we take fall into at least one of the groups below.
Do you need registration or a roadworthy to sell?
Not when the car is sold for recycling.
- Roadworthy certificate. In Victoria, a roadworthy is needed when a registered vehicle changes hands or when an unregistered vehicle is registered again. A car sold to a recycler is not going back on the road, so no roadworthy is needed.
- Registration. A car with lapsed registration can be sold for recycling. If the registration is still current, VicRoads asks you to remove the number plates and cancel it before you dispose of the car. You may get a refund for the unused period, less processing and TAC fees.
If you are weighing up a private sale instead, be realistic. Most private buyers want a car they can register and drive, and getting a roadworthy on a car with real problems often costs more than the car is worth. For a car that needs significant work, selling for recycling is usually quicker and costs you nothing.
Which problem cars a recycler will take
Cars that do not start or cannot be driven
A dead battery, a seized engine or a failed gearbox does not stop a car being sold. Our crew arrives with the lifting gear and vehicles needed to load a car that does not move. Tell us when you book so the right truck is sent.
Accident damaged cars
Crash damage mainly reduces the value of parts a wrecker might resell. The metal is still there, so even a badly damaged car has value to a recycler.
Insurance write offs
Victoria records written off vehicles on a register, and there are two kinds:
- Repairable write off. The car can be repaired and registered again after it passes the required inspection. Some owners choose to sell instead because the repairs and inspection cost more than the car would be worth.
- Statutory write off. The car can never be registered again. Its only remaining value is in parts and metal, which makes recycling the natural end for it.
Either kind can be sold to a recycler. Have your insurer’s paperwork handy, as it helps confirm ownership and the car’s status.
Flood and fire damaged cars
Water and fire damage often ruin a car’s electrics and interior, so few parts can be reused. The metal remains, and that is what a recycler is buying. Mention flood or fire damage when you call, as it affects how the car is handled.
Unregistered cars
A car that has sat unregistered for months or years can still be sold, provided you own it. Flat tyres, rust and missing keys can usually be dealt with on the day if you mention them when booking.
High kilometre and end of life cars
A car that runs but is not worth repairing is often worth more as metal and parts than as a private sale. Our guide to how much your scrap car is worth in Melbourne explains how the value is worked out.
Two rules that can stop a sale
You must be able to show the car is yours
A recycler has to record who it buys from, so expect to show photo ID and proof of ownership, such as registration papers or insurer documents. If you have lost the papers, tell us when you call and we will explain what proof will work.
A car abandoned on your property or in your street is not yours to sell. Contact your local council, which deals with abandoned vehicles.
The identification number must not have been tampered with
Under Victoria’s scrap metal laws, a dealer cannot deal in a vehicle whose identification number has been removed, defaced or altered. Where the number has simply become hard to read through damage, age or wear, Consumer Affairs Victoria allows the vehicle to be collected, but no payment can be made for it.
What a damaged car is worth
There is no fixed price list, because the value depends on the particular car:
- Weight and metal content. Heavier vehicles carry more metal. Aluminium and copper parts add more than steel.
- Completeness. Missing wheels, engines, gearboxes or catalytic converters reduce the offer.
- Parts demand. A damaged car from a popular model may still have parts worth recovering.
- Current metal prices. These move with the market, so quotes are confirmed by phone on the day.
Describing the damage accurately is the surest way to get a quote that holds. If the driver finds damage that was not mentioned, the offer has to be revised on the spot, and that is frustrating for everyone. A clear description, with a few photos if you can, avoids it. Our guide to how much your scrap car is worth explains each factor in more detail.
Treat any advertised maximum price with care. An “up to” figure applies to the best vehicle a buyer sees, not to a damaged or non running car.
Recycler or private sale for a damaged car
| Selling to a metal recycler | Selling privately | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration needed | No | Usually expected by buyers |
| Roadworthy needed | No | Needed to transfer a registered car |
| Car must run | No | Most buyers expect it to |
| Who arranges transport | The recycler collects it | The buyer, or you |
| How long it takes | One phone call and a booked pickup | Advertising, viewings and negotiation |
| Likely return | Metal and parts value | Higher, but only if the car is repairable and someone wants it |
For a car that runs well and only has cosmetic damage, a private sale may be worth the effort. For a car with serious mechanical or structural damage, recycling is usually the faster and more certain route.
Cars in awkward places
Problem cars are often in problem spots: the back of a property, a narrow lane, an underground car park or a soft lawn. Most can still be collected. When you book, tell us:
- Where exactly the car is, and how wide the access is
- Whether the tyres hold air and the wheels turn
- Whether the steering is locked or the keys are missing
- Whether there is anything a tow truck would need to get past, such as a gate or low clearance
Knowing this in advance means the right equipment is sent the first time.
How the sale works
- Call for a quote. Ring Johny Metal Recycling on 0449 894 456 with the make, model, year, the damage and whether the car runs.
- Book a pickup. Towing for vehicles is free, so nothing is taken off the agreed price.
- The car is checked on arrival. The driver confirms it matches the description and checks the identification number.
- Sign and get paid. You sign the transfer paperwork and are paid the same day by bank transfer or cheque, then the car is taken away.
Before you hand over the keys
- Remove your belongings, including the glovebox, boot and under the seats.
- Take off the number plates.
- Cancel the registration with VicRoads if it is still current. Their page on how to dispose of a vehicle explains the steps.
- Cancel or adjust your insurance and compulsory third party cover once the car has gone.
- Clear any finance owing on the car first. Buyers can check the Personal Property Securities Register.
Common myths
“A written off car is worth nothing.” It still contains its metal, and a repairable write off may still have useful parts.
“I have to tow it somewhere myself.” No. Collection is arranged for you, and towing for vehicles is free with us.
“Only newer cars are worth selling.” Older cars are valued mainly on their metal, which every car has.
“I need a roadworthy first.” Not for a car sold for recycling.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell a car with no registration and no roadworthy in Victoria?
Yes, if you are selling it for recycling. A roadworthy is needed when a registered car changes hands or an unregistered car is registered again, and neither applies here. You still need to show that you own the car.
Will you take a car that does not start?
Yes. Our crew brings the equipment to load a car that cannot be driven.
Can I sell a statutory write off?
Yes. It can never be registered again, so recycling is its usual end. Have your insurer’s paperwork ready.
What if I have lost the registration papers?
You will still need to show the car is yours. Tell us when you call and we will explain what proof will work in your case.
How will I be paid?
By bank transfer or cheque on the day of collection.
Can I sell a car someone left on my property?
No. If it is not yours, contact your local council about the abandoned vehicle.
Get a quote for a damaged or unregistered car
Call Johny Metal Recycling on 0449 894 456, or visit our pages on cash for damaged cars Melbourne and unregistered car removal. You will get an honest quote for the car you have, free towing and same day payment by bank transfer or cheque. For the full selling process, see our guide to how selling a car for scrap works.
About this guide. Written by the operations team at Johny Metal Recycling, a Melbourne metal recycler trading since 2021 from 1/9 Braeside Drive, Braeside VIC 3195 (ABN 48 654 008 572). Updated October 2026.
Sources: Consumer Affairs Victoria, Scrap metal laws. VicRoads, How to dispose of a vehicle.