Why You Should Get Rid of That Clunker

When you drive through any neighborhood, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find at least one house that has a clunker rusting quietly in the driveway, in the yard, or taking up space in the garage. Although it’s often a car, it could be a pickup truck, a motorcycle or even a boat; it will never be used again by the homeowner. There are businesses that follow the same practice too, with old trucks or delivery cars that haven’t been used for years left to slowly fall to pieces behind a building. Why are homes and businesses used as small scale junkyards? There are a number of excuses that people cite, but the most typical ones are that it costs too much to have the old wreck towed away and it’s too big a hassle to attempt selling it (given that it’s probably worth next to nothing anyway). Many people don’t realize that they can donate their car or vehicle to a charity. The unwanted vehicle will be removed at a convenient time at no charge and they’ll even receive a tax receipt.

Leaving an unwanted vehicle to rot on your property is bad idea, for multiple reasons. Among these:

* Some municipalities have bylaws that make it illegal to store “junk” on property that’s not zoned for this purpose. If a bylaw officer spots the car and determines that it’s not drivable, you may face a fine.

* Having a derelict vehicle on the property can adversely affect your home and property taxes. An abandoned vehicle can become a target for vandals or a hangout for teens, both of which can result in increased crime or property damage risk.

* Your neighbors will seldom be happy about looking at a wreck parked next door.

* Having rusted, nonfunctional vehicles on the property presents a poor image for businesses. Customers who see that are liable to go elsewhere.

* Old, unused vehicles on a property reduce property value and negatively affect neighboring properties as well.

* Abandoned vehicles can present an environmental liability —batteries have toxic components, fuel tanks can rupture spilling gasoline, oil and other fluids can leak.

* Abandoned vehicles can attract pests that see the car as a safe nesting place. Old cars have been known to be infested with insects, rodents, raccoons and other creatures.

Whether it was once a personal vehicle or it’s a company vehicle that’s no longer used, don’t hang on to it once it’s past its useful life. When you choose to donate car or other vehicles that are just taking up space, you get rid of a potential liability without having to spend any money to do so, your neighbors will thank you, a charity receives the proceeds and you receive a tax receipt.

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About the Author:
Adam Rane is a columnist who writes about ways that households can trim spending. He recently discovered that donating a car that isn’t being used can mean getting rid of a budget drain at no charge. Better yet, the donation benefits a charity of the donor’s choice.