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Should I Donate My Car or Junk It?

I have an old car that I’m trying to get rid of and I’m not really interested in going through the process of selling it. Should I donate my car or junk it for cash?

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Pat Roache · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We hope you’ve replaced your old car with a fabulous new ride! Donating your car will likely be more rewarding than junking your car. Here’s why:
  • Donating your car to charity
    can give you a significant tax deduction based on how much the charity sold it for.
  • Donating your car helps not-for-profit organizations, whereas junking feeds for-profit companies that may not align with your morals.
  • Donating your car is a naturally good, selfless act that will give you positive feelings of accomplishment.
Junking your car will give you a bit of cashback which may be worth it if you need the money. However, if you’re financially stable, the tax deductions from donating may outweigh the value of junking. Even if they don’t, that good feeling you could get for helping others could be much more worth it than a minor payout.
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