Do you have an old car parked in your garage or yard for months or years now? Maybe you want to keep it for a few more years because it means something to you. Being sentimental about possessions is common.
Some people keep blankets when they are young, which are highly valued regardless of their condition. But with a car, you have other problems if you keep a junk car on your property. Perhaps the most common issue would be bug infestations!
Hunkering Down on Car Pest Issues
Bugs are typically thought of as a household problem. However, pests may be drawn to any space where humans stay, including cars. For example, if you leave a junk car out in the open for months or years, bugs will invade it.
Pests seek out vehicles because they offer the protection they need and the food and water they require to survive.
The entry of pests such as flies or spiders may occur one by one through a cracked window. However, some pests, such as ants and bed bugs, can invade the thousands.
A bug would probably not notice much difference between your car and its home. It’s a safer and potentially more productive environment (being warmer and having hiding places) away from potential predators. Unfortunately, this means that just about any pest can enter a vehicle. As an example of pest insects:
A food source, such as crumbs or a spill, is usually the root of an ant infestation in a vehicle. Ants can detect food from several meters away and squeeze through the smallest openings to get inside your car and feast. Parking your car near an ant colony can be a problem because the ants will learn to recognize it and use it as a food source if you don’t take care of it.
Ants in a car can be eliminated using natural methods as well.
Cockroaches – Cockroaches will populate a vehicle if there is water and food supply, such as crumbs left behind. They can squeeze through narrow openings or be brought in on people or objects. Roaches are notorious for spreading salmonella and other harmful bacteria.
Because of how well they adapt to limited nutrition, cockroach populations in vehicles can quickly expand, no matter how often you clean them.
Most spiders are not dangerous and can be easily exterminated or removed if you do encounter one in your vehicle. However, spiders in your vehicle may indicate a more significant problem with pests in your area, or it may simply be a sign that you have a spider problem.
Although they’re called “bed bugs,” these pests are adaptable and can live anywhere, including in your car. Bed bugs are one of the few pests that can survive in even the cleanest cars because they feed on your blood. Bed bugs are nocturnal feeders that can also eat during the day, and they are so good at hiding that many people who drive with them never even notice they are there.
Carpet beetles are a particular type of invasive insect. The larvae of these beetles feed on materials made of natural fibers like the wool or leather used in automobiles. Larvae are not only a nuisance because they can damage furniture and flooring, but they can also cause skin irritation. Although adult carpet beetles do not damage fibers, their presence in your vehicle may indicate the presence of eggs or larvae.
Consider the Cost Factor of Keeping and Repairing Junk Cars
When deciding whether to fix up an old car, sell it, or junk it for quick cash, priorities can get muddled. For example, it can be challenging to decide whether to keep driving a car or truck that isn’t completely worn out and still seems to have some more miles left in it or to try to sell it. Also, you could be debating whether to sell it for scrap.
You may be relying on your high-mileage car to get you where you need to go every day, but you might be getting anxious about the costly repairs it will need soon. You should probably get rid of the car if you’re concerned about whether it’s safe to keep driving.
If the braking system, steering system, airbags, and other essential safety components are worn out or just old, there is very little reason to think it is a good idea to keep the vehicle.
The typical vehicle lasts for 11.6 years. Unfortunately, weather, corrosive dirt, road salt, sun, age, wear and tear all contribute to the undercarriage’s deterioration over time. This means that moving parts are no longer covered, which can have severe consequences if you keep driving the car in this condition.
To what extent does the cost of repairing a car outweigh the benefits? You may find that you’ve spent too much of your money trying to keep your old car running when you add up all the costs. Consider first how much more money you’ve spent on your aging vehicle over the past year and a half in repairs and maintenance.
Then, add the price of any maintenance you anticipate being necessary within the next twelve months or so. If you can get a better vehicle at a more considerable price, the sum of all the car’s costs will tell you whether it’s worthwhile to keep.
Selling your car is another option. Indeed, some non-running vintage automobiles can still fetch a reasonable price. A buyer may be interested in purchasing a vehicle because it is a particular year, is still under warranty, or has a timeless, highly sought-after body design.
You can find out how much your car is worth in today’s market by consulting online car valuation resources before you list it for sale. First, think about how your car looks and runs right now. You can use online marketplaces like Craigslist and eBay and traditional media like newspaper classifieds if the car is not worth much, but you still want to sell it. However, it may be time-consuming and frustrating to show your car to numerous potential buyers without any sale guarantees.
Conclusion
If there’s too much work involved, or you stand to gain an uncertain price for your junk car, the most reasonable and practical option is to junk your car. Junk Car Dog has over ten years of experience helping people junk their cars while offering top cash for vehicles of any make or condition.