Capalaba is the main commercial centre of the Redlands, and the suburbs around it are full of cars that stopped being used for the same reason: life changed and nobody got around to dealing with them. A second car that became redundant, a car left behind after a move, a vehicle in the garage that hasn't turned over in a year.
If there's one in your driveway, the longer it sits, the more awkward it gets. Here's what changes while it waits, and what your options are.
What happens to a car that sits
- The battery goes flat, and often won't recover once it has been left too long
- Tyres lose pressure and perish, and can flat-spot where the weight rests
- Brakes can seize, particularly after wet weather
- Fuel goes stale, and can foul the system if the car is started
- Registration lapses, which doesn't reduce what the car is worth but does stop it being driven
None of that prevents a sale. It does explain why a car that has stood for months is harder to move privately than one that ran last week.
Don't try to restart it
It is tempting to jump-start a long-idle car to see whether it runs. Stale fuel and seized components can turn a recoverable engine into a damaged one. If you're planning to sell, leave it alone and describe it as it is.
What it might be worth
Cars that have sat still carry their value in the same places as any other: the make and model, the condition of the body, the engine and gearbox, and the weight. Mention how long it has been standing, and anything you know about its condition before it was parked.
Your options
- Get it running and sell it privately. Realistic only if the repairs are cheap relative to the car's value.
- Sell it as it stands to a buyer who collects. Quickest, and it avoids spending money on a car you want gone.
- Leave it. It costs you space, and the car continues to lose value.
Before spending on repairs, find out what the car is worth as it stands. Our guide on whether you need a roadworthy certificate to sell your car in Queensland explains when a certificate is required and when it isn't.
Plates and refunds
If registration is still current, returning the plates may entitle you to a refund of the unused portion. Our guide to returning plates and claiming a rego refund explains how.
Where we cover
Capalaba is part of our Redlands service area, which lists the suburbs we collect from across the bayside.
Call 0405 294 555 or send photos through WhatsApp for a free, no-obligation offer. Towing is included at no charge, and payment is made on collection.