Why you shouldn’t leave a junk car in front of your home

Whether spring cleaning your garage, tidying up your life, or simply removing things (and/or people) no longer adding value to your life, procrastination can become a habit, even if not a healthy one. The junk car outside your house is no different. Here are six reasons why leaving a junk car in front of your house is the wrong move––especially when you can turn to a company like Peddle––who will pay you for your car and haul it away (for free!). to help you out.

Let’s begin.

issues with leaving a junk car in front of your home

eyesore

Simply, this can be an issue for both you and your neighbors. A junk car is definitely not something that catches your eye in a positive way. Not only does it look run down, but it can also make your home or neighborhood feel the same way. Neighbors may have an issue with the way your car makes them feel, whether it’s taking up space as a lawn ornament, or parked in front of your (or someone else’s) house. Don’t let a four-wheel eyesore become a sore spot between you and your community.

potential HOA violations

Associations have rules about parking in relation to the type of community where the parking occurs. In some communities, an HOA violation can occur from parking in front of another member’s home. HOA violations are in response to “abandoned vehicles,” which include boats, trailers, RVs, campers, and immobilized cars (see below). It’s important to note that HOA violations differ from state to state. For example, in Austin, Texas (where Peddle is headquartered!) a car is considered abandoned if it has been left unattended on public property, or remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in charge of the property for more than 48 hours. It’s important to note that a neighborhood (and its streets) can be publicly owned by the city or privately owned by its residents. This is something worth looking into when it comes to your community’s rules and regulations.

parking tickets

Almost all cities prohibit leaving any vehicle parked on a city street too long (over 72 hours). If a car is considered immobilized––which can specifically apply to a junk car missing an engine, tires, doors, or other necessary driving equipment––the car must be put into a garage or behind a fence. You can find your local ordinance on abandoned and disabled vehicles on the State & Local website, or call your mayor’s or city manager’s office for further instruction. If you don’t have somewhere like a garage or fence to move your car, selling your junk car may be the best way to go.

vandalism and break-ins

An unused car sitting on the yard or street makes it easy for vandalism and break-ins to occur. If a thief wants certain parts of your car (and is likely looking to sell) this is the first place they’re going to turn, rather than trying to break into a garage, side fence, or gate. More recently, catalytic converter thefts have risen––this precious, more costly metal makes for a tempting grab in the eyes of a vandaliser or thief…especially when the economy drastically fluctuates. An article from the National Insurance Crime Bureau stated that as of December 2020, rhodium was valued at $14,500 per ounce, palladium at $2,336 per ounce, and platinum at $1,061 per ounce. A catalytic converter thief can come away with $50–$300 if they sell to scrap yards, while you’d be down $1,000 to replace. Instead, you could sell your car to a company like Peddle, who will gladly give you money for your junk car––without the worry of theft, vandalism, or any other icky experience.

pest invasion

There are many animals that would love to seek refuge in a car and –there are so many areas they can slip into. A junk car that’s been sitting for a long time? Even better. The most common pests include ants, cockroaches, wasps and bees, carpet beetles,rats  and mice. A good rule of thumb is to not pest bomb the car, since the chemicals can be toxic to anyone who’s around it. The good news is that you don’t have to succumb to the dark side of the animal kingdom. Sell to Peddle instead. No pests, no problems, no worry.

lose car value

A junk car sitting around collecting becomes a nuisance (like pests, or riffs with your neighbors) and brings nothing positive to your life. When it comes to car value, the longer a junk car is stagnant, the more time there is for more significant problems to occur, which only lowers your selling price. Take a look out your window––do you see your junk car sitting there doing nothing? Might be time to get in contact with us. We’ll come pick your junk car up…and not a minute too late.